ABOUT
Run under the Penn State Anime Organization since 2007, Setsucon has been bringing anime, manga, and Japanese culture to the winter months in Central Pennsylvania. After a year of planning, Setsucon debuted as a one-day event with 288 people filling the halls of the Days Inn Penn State.
Since the beginning, Setsucon has continued to expand, moving through various venues in State College, PA until arriving in 2018 at the Blair County Convention Center. With over 2,300 attendees annually, Setsucon has grown into a new home & continued to expand in size and content each year.
From the start, the focus has been on three pillars: Anime, Cosplay, Gaming. The convention plays hosts to events such as fan & voice actor panels, viewings, masquerade, iron cosplay, gaming tournaments, itasha car show, and much more to make the weekend as exciting as possible for any type of fan.
Setsucon Strives to Bring a Safe and Inclusive Social Environment to Anime and Manga Fans of All Ages Across Central Pennsylvania and Beyond. We Aim to Bring the Big Convention Feel to a More Intimate and Affordable Convention.
Setsucon is far more than just a single weekend in January. Take a look at some of the other places we go, activities we host, and adventures we take as we continue to spread the love of anime and Japanese culture far and wide.
Setsucon is hosted by the Penn State Anime Organization (PSAO). Since September 2001, the PSAO has been bringing anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture to the Penn State-University Park community. Through weekly anime screenings, video game nights, a manga library, and many more activities across campus, PSAO provides a social environment for Penn State’s anime/manga fan base while continuing to grow to bring more to the community. For its efforts, it was named the Penn State Student Organization of the Year in 2018.
Started in November 2020, Setsucon’s response to conventions being shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic was to bring the convention feel to everyone’s home, not just with an online convention but also with weekly streams. Since then, our Twitch channel has grown, featuring original gaming and anime chat programming, including our own tabletop rpg series Setsu Roll, Friday Night Party Night, MOBA streams, late night chat nights, and much more. Check out the streaming schedule and follow along at twitch.tv/setsucon.
Since 2019, Setsucon has been hosting a costume contest in partnership with Schlow Centre Region Library’s BookFestPA during the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts. Showcasing cosplayers of all ages and all genres, the BookFestPA Costume Contest is a summer event you will not want to miss. Plus check out the other exciting events that BookFestPA has, celebrating both written & illustrated word with authors, comics, vendors, and much more. Learn more at bookfestpa.schlowlibrary.org.
While planning the first Setsucon, we discussed several names. Our original name was to be “Daikon” like the radish and also “dai” (大) for “big”. It was decided that this might be confusing as there was a “Daicon” held in Japan previously. Our next choice was “Setsucon”. “Setsu” comes from the Chinese reading (on’yomi) of the Japanese word for “snow”, yuki (雪). Since the convention is held during the winter in a region where snow is not uncommon, we felt that the name was fitting.
The International Otaku Expo Association (IOEA) is a global association of expos and events where enthusiasts of the otaku culture may gather together. The goal of the IOEA is to share and encourage new and global development within the otaku community by linking together otaku expos and events around the world.
Disclaimer: The expressed opinions, informational content and links displayed on student organization Web pages do not necessarily reflect a position or policy of The Pennsylvania State University or its affiliates. No official endorsement by The Pennsylvania State University of the viewpoints expressed on student organization Web pages should be inferred.
Founded in 2007 by the Penn State Anime Organization, Setsucon brings anime, manga, and Japanese culture to the winter months in Central Pennsylvania.
Get on your dance outfits, find your glowsticks, and be ready to party all night long at our Setsu Odori Late Night Dance! Featuring our slate of DJs, this three hour dance caps off a full Saturday of excitement. So go hit the dance floor, vibe to the groove, and finish out the night with us!
Experience this one-of-a-kind idol showcase event where we celebrate idols taking back power! This wild, unhinged, and memey event gives idols the chance to perform to whatever genre of music they want… and they won’t be the songs you are used to seeing idols perform to!
Looking to perform in the Idol’s Revenge Showcase? Click the button below to learn more about applications.
Step into the world of The Divas! This incredible group of drag performers – Ashlynn Manhattan, Amethyst, & Hexxa, led by their host Enigman – hit the Setsucon stage on Friday Night! With dazzling lip-syncs & jaw dropping performances, you will not want to miss the kickoff event of the con! [18+ Only Event]
The Setsucon Main Events stage has been graced by many performers throughout its history! Listen to awesome music from the featured performance group each year during our Saturday Night Concert – stay tuned to find out who will be performing this coming year.
No matter the style of game that you are looking for, hop on to one of the many consoles, both modern and retro, that our room has and give a try in our console gaming section of the Video Gaming Room, presented by Origin of Play. The catalog of games is endless – consisting of all the fan favorites, including numerous fighting games, rhythm style games, and party games.
And think you have what it takes to be the ultimate champion of the winter battle season? Enter our free-to-play tournaments all weekend long!
Stop by the Tabletop Gaming Room throughout the convention weekend to experience a multitude of games to enjoy! You’ll find a wide selection of board games and miniature activities, presented by Snake Eyes Gaming, for both the casual and expert player, and opportunities to dive into a tabletop role playing game, presented by The Quelmar Realm. Whether you’ve mastered every board game out there, or just want to learn a new one, we have something for you. Have your own tabletop games that you want to play? We have space for that too – just find an open table, set down to play your own game!
Are you ready to throwdown and duel? Get your decks out and be ready to play in our Card Gaming events, presented by Jake’s Cards & Games! From Magic the Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh to Pokemon trade and play events, we have a variety of card gaming tournaments and activities to keep you busy throughout the weekend. Or just pop into the Tabletop Gaming room and set up a game yourself!
Take yourself away on a trip to a Japanese arcade and play some of the best arcade cabinets around – provided by Snow Phoenix! Check out the different arcade cabinets, with popular types of cabs such as dance and rhythm games. Or give yourself a test with some of the Japanese crane machines – provided by Kawaii Catchers. Test your skill and precision to try and win fun prizes from these machines!
Share in your favorite hobby, learn a new craft, or watch as creativity comes to life with our workshop programming track.
If you are looking to present a workshop, click the link to learn more about workshop applications.
If you are looking to learn something new, laugh about your favorite characters, share in some anime history and fandom, or take home a new experience that you haven’t gotten elsewhere – then dive into some amazing panels – presented by you, our attendees! Stay tuned for the full schedule as we get close to con.
If you are looking to present a panel, click the link to learn more about panel applications.
Kick of the convention with a throwback to our Twitch days with a Friday Night Party Night! Get out your comfy PJs and join us for some Jackbox Games – come prepared with creativity and be ready to laugh the night away!
Join us as we showcase the many AMVs from around the world that are submitted into our contest each year! With a contest that grows each year – now containing over 60 AMVs across five different categories, there is something for everyone – from laugh out loud comedies to tearjerking videos, our AMV entries cover the full spectrum of emotions sliced together for a major joyride.
Learn more about the history of our AMV Contest – and if you are an AMV Creator, click the button below to enter your creation into our contest!
Check out wig styling skills in action! Participants have just 60 minutes to cut and style a pre-selected wig, and model it in front of our judges! Stylists can maximize their score by ensuring cleanliness, complexity, wearability, & creativity – all on their way to winning the grand prize! Sign-ups are held a few months before convention.
Our premier cosplay event on the Main Stage – the Cosplay Masquerade Showcase! Come be entertained with some of the top skits and talents for a showcase of cosplay prowess, fashion, singing, dancing, variety, fun, and much more!
This event puts your ultimate cosplay skills to the test to be as creative as possible given a box of who knows what to work with! Watch as contestants face off against one another in a clash of cosplay creativity, cooperation, and skill to make a unique cosplay.
Show off your cosplay creation to our panel of judges! All entrants will have a chance to present their handmade cosplays to our judges and compete for a chance to win prizes! All experience levels are welcome – showcase your handcrafted cosplays and your hard work in our premier craftsmanship event.
Stop by the Cosplay Photo Suite in the Exhibitors Hall during the weekend for free professional cosplay photos, presented by our friends at The Variant. With unique backdrops and pro photographers at the ready, this is a great opportunity to have your cosplay captured in memorable photos that will be available after the convention on their website.
Are you ready to see what characters can find the match of their dreams? The Cosplay Dating Game allows your favorite characters to find their happily ever after… or at least someone for the night. Join us for this hilarious event and be ready to laugh as our characters give love a try! [18+]
Take a break, watch a new show, and dive into some anime in our Viewings room! Whether it is a new show, old favorite, or hidden gem – take a seat and watch a show!
If you have merch, toys, games, collectables, or items that are looking for a new home, stop by the Swap Meet on Friday Night to see what items you can grab in exchange! Walk away from the event with your new favorite treasure!
The Setsucon Silent Auction is dedicated in memory of the late voice actor, Setsucon guest, and Pennsylvania native Billy Kametz. Visit the Silent Auction booth in the Exhibitors Hall to place bids during the con. All proceeds are donated directly to the Colon Cancer Coalition, which raises the awareness about the importance of colorectal screenings and colonoscopies to decrease deaths from colon cancer.
Do you love reading? Take a break and enjoy our extensive Manga Library, featuring the Penn State Anime Organization collection! We have over 500 volumes to choose from – with both popular titles & hidden gems to explore! Unleash your inner bookworm & dig into a good read!
The PSAO Laura Rayman Memorial Manga Library, which was renamed in 2016 in memory of long-time Setsucon attendee, manga lover, and Central PA native Laura Rayman, is a fast growing collection of titles both new and old. Their collection is mostly donation based, having grown over the years as members have helped stock the shelves. A true symbol of the organization, the manga library is one of the first sights a new member sees as they walk into the organization’s office.
Experience fun and creative crafts and activities throughout the weekend in the Makerspace, presented by the MAGFest Makerspace Team! Come join in for crafts and fun. There are machines and supplies that you can pick up and play with or ask the team staffed by teachers and volunteers for a tutorial. Come in and make your own projects that you can take home with you!
With a blend of cosplay, games, music, performances, and hospitality, the Setsucon Maid Cafe, presented by Pixel Pop, is an event that is sure to be something special – and is a highlight for many each year! Sign-up at con at the Maid Cafe to book your time; each first-come, first-serve spot includes a 1-hour seating time, dessert, refreshments, games, performances, and more.
Check out a showcase of itasha and anime-inspired cars in the Itasha Car Show, presented by Isekai’d Dreams. See cars decked out in anime gear, replicas of famous anime vehicles, or just awesome modded up rides.
Take home some new art for your wall, a new figures, a manga, and more in our Exhibitors Hall – the main shopping hub of the convention! With over 80 vendors and artists, there is something for everyone to find amongst our many exhibitors. Come ready to shop!
