Animecon hosts a wide variety of programs. Most of them are in Finnish, but here’s a collection of programs and activities that are in English or that you can easily enjoy across languages!

SATURDAY

Kendo Demonstration
Intro, 11:00–11:45
Ryūtōkai ry

Kendo is a modern Japanese martial art based on traditional swordsmanship. Practitioners aim to strike specific protected areas of their opponent using a bamboo sword (shinai) to score points. While kendo can be visually striking, its true purpose lies in the practitioner’s mental and physical growth, and in achieving harmony between mind and body. Deep respect and appreciation for one’s opponent are central values in the practice.

The Jyväskylä-based group Ryūtōkai ry will showcase their skills at Animecon on Saturday! You can also visit their table later to learn more about kendo equipment and the art itself.

Guest of Honour: Yoshihiro Takahashi Autograph Session
3rd Floor Lobby, 11:00–11:45

Guest of Honour Yoshihiro Takahashi will be signing autographs! You can request a signature on any official Ginga merchandise or on a free postcard available at the autograph queue. It’s also possible to take a quick photo with Takahashi during your turn. Please ensure your camera or phone is ready and working beforehand so the process runs as smoothly and quickly as possible.
1 autograph per person.
To receive an autograph, you must have a free participation ticket, available at the info desk! Read more here.

Yoshihiro Takahashi – Fan Q&A
Encore Hall, 14:00–14:45

This programme will be translated from Japanese to English.
Have you always wanted to ask Takahashi something? Now’s your chance! Anyone can ask questions during the event – in English or Finnish.
Why are some dog breeds never seen in Ginga? Could your favourite breed join the story? Who is the strongest dog in Ginga today?
Through both live and pre-submitted questions, the programme will explore the world of Silver Fang, Takahashi’s favourite (and least favourite) elements, ideas for new villains, and a look at Ginga merchandise.
To attend, pick up a free seat ticket from the info desk!

Guest of Honour Gehe’s Meet & Greet Table and Merch Table
Vendor Hall, 10:00–11:30 and 15:00–18:00

At Gehe’s meet & greet spot, you’ll have the chance to meet the talented cosplayer and purchase his cosplay-themed merchandise!

Guest of Honour Gehe: DIY Cosplay Studio: A Cosplay Photography Workshop with Gehe
Intro, 12:00–12:45

Join cosplayer Gehe in this workshop to learn how to set up a DIY cosplay photography studio at home. He’ll guide you through basics of cosplay photography, arranging your space, and mastering lighting and composition. Gain practical tips to elevate your cosplay photos using everyday resources!

Guest of Honour Tenkou Cosplay: Makeup 101
Intro, 13:00–13:45

Whether you’re new to cosplay or looking for tips and tricks to enhance your expression through wigs and makeup, Tenkou has you covered! She’ll walk you through everything you need to know when starting out with cosplay makeup and hairstyling, while also sharing expert advice for seasoned cosplayers.
Bring your questions and take the opportunity to get personal advice!

Cosplay Contest – Experienced Category
Encore Hall, 15:00–15:45

Witness the spectacle as experienced cosplayers take the stage in this competition! Even if you don’t understand the Finnish commentary, the costumes and stage presence are a joy to watch for everyone.

AMV Contest
Encore Hall, 17:00–17:45

A showcase of Anime Music Videos made by fans – emotional, epic, or just plain fun! The programme is in Finnish, but the videos speak for themselves and are sure to entertain viewers of all languages.

Workshops

In addition to Saturday’s scheduled workshops, the event also features ongoing workshops throughout the weekend. Check them out in the full weekend programme below!

Beaded Jewelry Workshop
11:00–17:00
(No new participants admitted after 16:00)

Welcome to the world of beads and elastic strings! In this workshop, you can unleash your creativity and make your own custom beaded jewelry. In addition to a wide selection of beads, you’ll find example pieces for inspiration and guidance available for more complex designs.
Workshop fee: €3 per jewelry piece – please bring cash for payment.

Fluffy Keychain Workshop
12:00–15:00
Lisan otuspaja

Come and craft your own cute and fluffy keychain with guidance from Lisa’s Creature Crafts!
Material fee: €3 (cash preferred).
Each keychain takes about 30–40 minutes to make.

SUNDAY

Guest of Honour Yoshihiro Takahashi Autograph Session
3rd Floor Lobby, 13:00–13:45

Guest of Honour Yoshihiro Takahashi will be signing autographs! You can request a signature on any official Ginga merchandise or on a free postcard available in the autograph queue. During your turn, it’s also possible to take a quick photo with Takahashi.
Please make sure your camera or phone is ready and working in advance, so the photo can be taken as quickly as possible!
1 autograph per person.
To get an autograph, you must have a free participation ticket, available at the info desk! Read more here.

Interview: The Legacy of Silver Fang – The Career of Yoshihiro Takahashi
Encore Hall, 14:00–14:45

Translated from Japanese to English.
How did a manga series beloved across decades and continents come to life? Yoshihiro Takahashi shares his journey as a mangaka, from his very first publications to the creation of Ginga Nagareboshi Gin and Ginga Densetsu WEED.
This interview dives deep into how dogs became the heart of his work, what it was like to create multiple series at the same time, and the enormous effort required to produce a weekly manga.
You’ll get an insider look into Takahashi’s creative process: which stories mean the most to him, how characters evolve across series, and what it was like to return to the world of Silver Fang after more than a decade.
To attend, please pick up a free seat ticket from the info desk!

Guest of Honour Tenkou Cosplay: Makeup & Wigs 101
Intro, 12:00–12:45

Whether you are new to cosplay or just wish to get tips and tricks on how to express yourself further with wigs and makeup, Tenkou has got you covered! Wigs can be scary but this panel with put your fears away. She invites you to her panels with a full rundown on what to keep in mind and think about when starting out with wigs and makeup, as well as many tips and tricks for the veterans! Take this moment to ask her lots of questions and get 1:1 advice!

Guest of Honour Gehe’s Meet & Greet Table and Merch Table
Vendor Hall, 10:00–11:30 and 15:00–18:00

At Gehe’s meet & greet spot, you’ll have the chance to meet the talented cosplayer and purchase his cosplay-themed merchandise!

Guest of Honour Gehe: Mastering Cosplay Make-Up with Gehe
Intro, 13:00–13:45

Level up your cosplay game with this hands-on make-up workshop led by cosplayer Gehe. Learn how to tailor your make-up to different characters and facial features, whether for a photoshoot or a convention. Gehe will share techniques to help you craft expressive, camera-ready looks for any cosplay!

Cosplay Contest – Beginners & Original Characters
Encore Hall, 15:00–15:45

Sunday’s stage show features the beginner-level cosplay contest and a costume competition for original characters. The programme is in Finnish, but the creativity, costumes, and awards ceremony are a treat for all audiences!

Scrapbook Workshop
11:00–15:00
(No new participants admitted after 14:00)

Welcome to the world of scrapbooking! In this guided workshop, you’ll get to start your very own con-themed scrapbook. Our workshop offers a wide range of ideas and materials to help you begin building your own memory album. All you need to bring is your con programme leaflet – and your creativity!
Workshop fee: €3 per person (cash only).

Pörröcon Workshop
12:00–14:00

Sew your own ears or tail in the Pörröcon Workshop – with guidance or on your own!
Material fee: €5. Sign up for the workshop on Sunday at the Cloakroom (Narikka, 1st floor).

Video Game Tournament
Takakabinetti, 12:00–15:00

On Sunday, July 6th, Animecon will host a video game tournament! The game to be played in the competition is a surprise and will be announced just before the tournament begins.
Registration for the tournament opens Sunday morning at the gaming area. Spaces are limited, and the maximum duration of the tournament is 3 hours. The gaming area will remain open as usual during the tournament.
The competition is intended for amateur players. Professional players may participate and place in the tournament, but they cannot win prizes except for a certificate or a trophy. A professional player is defined as someone who earns all or part of their livelihood from gaming, has participated in international gaming tournaments, or has placed in a significant Finnish tournament.

All Weekend Program

Game Rooms

Console Games (3rd Floor Lobby)

Welcome to Animecon’s game room! Here you can play and explore various console games. Consoles available include Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and a small selection of retro games! The game selection ranges from Mario Kart to rhythm and fighting games, along with some interesting indie titles. You can enjoy the game room either solo or with a group.
The game room is organized by Kamy (Kuopion Anime- ja Mangayhdistys).

VR Gaming Station (Vendor Hall)

At the VR gaming station, you can try out the virtual reality game Beat Saber and jump into shooting action with the Gunslinger shooting game. There is a license fee charged for playing Gunslinger: €3 per person for 10 minutes.

Tip! Participate in the Kahoot quizzes for a chance to win free plays on Gunslinger!

Rhythm and Retro Game Station (Takakabinetti)

Welcome to the rhythm and retro game station! Play Nintendo consoles from 8-bit systems up to the Wii. Rhythm games include Taiko no Tatsujin (PS2) and the lovely Hatsune Miku: Project Diva (PS3)! Come reminisce about the good old days with retro games or discover “new” old titles!

Dance Game Station (Takakabinetti)

Got energy to spare? At the dance game station, you can try out dance games solo or challenge your friends to a dance-off!

Pokémon Trading Card Game Station (Takakabinetti)

The local Pokémon League offers those interested a chance to learn the secrets of Pokémon. At the station, you can trade your Pokémon cards, learn how to play with help from league leaders, test your skills by battling a leader with your own deck, or just hang out and chat as part of our Pokémon community. Small prizes will also be given to players during the card game sessions. Welcome to join us!

Board Game Station (Takakabinetti)

Want to try out new board games? At Tsukiai’s board game station, you’ll find a variety of board games with average playtimes of 15-30 minutes.

Kitsune Mask Workshop

Dive into the heart of Japanese festival atmosphere and create your own unique kitsune mask! Fox masks are a familiar sight in both anime and matsuri images, and now you get to paint and decorate one for your own enjoyment—or as a souvenir from the con.
Mask price: €2

Fan Workshop – Stay Cool in Style!

Create your own uchiwa fan and carry a touch of Japanese summer with you! The fans will be laminated for durability, and you can decorate them with your own drawings or pre-made images.
Fan base: €1

Clock Workshop – Or Wall Art Workshop

Make stunning clocks or striking wall art from old LP records! You’ll have access to decorations and craft materials to make your creation truly unique.
Clock mechanism: €2 (you can also make just a wall art without a clock)

Pin Button Workshop

Make your own unique pins! You can draw your own designs or use the workshop materials provided. This is the perfect way to turn your character, meme, or mood into a wearable accessory.
First 5 pins free, additional pins €0.20 each

Maid Cafe

Maid Cafe Kemono serves visitors on the third floor! Take a break during your busy con day and be served by animal-eared maids and butlers!

Karaoke

In the Fokus room, you can belt out the best anime songs! Karaoke is provided by Kummacon.

Ginga Exhibition

Come explore the Ginga exhibition featuring rare merchandise from decades ago, prototypes, and other rarities. The exhibition is located in the vendor hall.

Ginga Room

Suomen Hopeanuoli-fanit ry is a non-profit, officially registered fan club founded in January 2012.
Our goal is to increase awareness of the Ginga series in Finland and to enable diverse activities among fans. At our table and in the Ginga Room, you’ll find our merchandise and can meet our active members.

The Ginga Room is open throughout the event on both days! Join us to design your own Ginga world characters or simply unleash your creativity in our informal canine-themed art and drawing workshop. Welcome!

Boffer Fighting
Vendor hall, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday
Jyväsmiekka

Boffer fighting is safe but exciting combat using foam weapons! Skilled instructors from Jyväsmiekka will show you how it works. Let your inner foam warrior loose!

Haunted House
Saturday 11 AM – 5 PM (closed approx. 1 PM – 2 PM) & Sunday 11 AM – 3 PM
Jyväskylän anime- ja mangaseura Tsukiai ry

Boo! Welcome to Tsukiai’s haunted house, a fun but slightly spooky experience suitable for all ages! The haunted house takes about 15 minutes to complete the task, but you can also walk through without the task if you prefer. Maximum of 3 people in the room at a time, so larger groups will be split.

Stamp rally

Explore the con area and collect stamps from various points! When you’ve collected all the stamps, you’ll receive a small prize at the info desk and enter a raffle for an Asian snack package. Get your rally card from the info desk!

Photo Stations

At the photo stations, you can have photos taken of your cosplay or with friends using different backdrops. The photo stations are located in the third-floor lobby and at Gehe’s meet & greet point.

Don’t forget to check out the artist alley, vendor hall, and flea market on the first floor!