Banzai-Kon 2013

Banzaikon is one of THe Lower Rio Grande Valley's largest Anime Convention's (est. 2010) located on beautiful South Padre Island Texas.

We are a Non-Profit anime convention made to cater to the anime fans in the lower Rio Grande Valley. The convention (est. 2010) involves a small structured and devoted staff and volunteer group whom host events during the year all over the valley culminating up to our yearly convention which is held every November on South Padre Island.

Since all of our staff is from with-in the valley, we are especially involved in special events around the valley which include charity, art, and community causes. Events are not limited to fund raising events for local causes or for national/worldwide events such as disaster relief efforts.

Banzaikon is hosting our 4th convention this year. We look forward to continue working with South Padre Island as well as the valley and other conventions all over Texas. We intend to keep expanding our fan base and business to the entire RGV and continue catering to anime fans everywhere.

Banzaikon 2013 Guests!

Chris Patton

Chris Patton has been acting professionally for over fifteen years, with eleven of those years devoted to Voice Over work.

Some of his recent and most favorite Anime credits include:
Asura in Soul Eater, Sousuke in all the Full Metal Panic series, Greed in Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, Little Brother in Halo Legends, Graham Spector in Bacccano!, Sato in Welcome to the NHK, Ichiro in Nerima Daikon Brothers, Fakir in Princess Tutu, Ranmaru in the Wallflower, Ayato in RahXephon, Sho in Guyver, Ikki in Air Gear, Hajime in Ghost Stories, Hiroki in The Place Promised in Our Early Days, Shin Kazama in Area 88, Sasame in Pretear, plus roles in Shin Chan, Case Closed, Dragonball Z: Tree of Might, E's Otherwise, Tower of Druaga, Initial D ( funimation dub ), One Piece ( funimation dub ), Orphen II, The Galaxy Railways, Gasaraki, Bubblegum Crisis 2040, Saiyuki, and many more, totaling over 150 titles.
Chris also voices commercials, industrials, eLearning software, video games, audio books and other stuff and things such as that, yay.
Some of his recent theatrical credits include Mark Cohen in the rock opera RENT, Riff Raff in revamped new-millennium production of The Rocky Horror Show, and Saucy Jack De'ath in the electro-sci-fi musical Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens.

Chris Patton's Website: http://www.voiceofchrispatton.com/

For a list of characters: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Patton

Tia Ballard

Tia Lynn Ballard (born May 11, 1986) is an American actress, artist, comedian, writer, and voice actress for FUNimation Entertainment. Some of her notable roles include Kusano from Sekirei, Rin Ogata in Rideback, Mizore from Rosario + Vampire, and Happy from Fairy Tail.

Ballard grew up in Paris, Texas. She was inspired to get into voice acting when she attended an anime convention and learned that Funimation was only two hours from her hometown. In college, she was a participant in the Disney College Program, after which she changed her major to theatre. She completed an associate degree from Paris Junior College with an emphasis on Theatre and Art. She pursued a Bachelors Degree in Theatre Arts with an emphasis on the psychological detailing of fictional characters, and a minor in Communication studies.

Ballard's first voice acting gig was at Funimation where she worked with Monica Rial. She played Young Asim inDragonaut: The Resonance. She later had a larger role as Rachel Calvin in Linebarrels of Iron.

Outside of voice acting, Ballard has co-created a Super Mario Bros. themed online comic called Koopasta.

For more characters: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tia_Ballard

John Swasey

We are glad to welcome back Mr. John Swasey! 

According to Anime News Network, John Swasey is the most prolific male voice actor in North America with more roles and titles under his belt than any other male voice actor.  John started down the road of anime in 1997, when he landed his first role in Golden Boy from ADV Films.  

Since then, John has gone on to voice hundreds shows and characters with ADV Films, Funimation, Sentai Films, Gearbox, and Illumitoons just to name a few.  Being more of the character actor type has given John the freedom to voice bazillions of characters such as Gendo in Evangelion, the Captain in Halo (VG), Lord Death in Soul Eater, Hoenheim in Fullmetal Alchemist, Sir Crocodile in One Piece, Salvador in Borderlands II (VG),  Kogoro in Sgt. Frog, Huang in Darker than Black, Vulcan in Orphen, Ken in Kaleido Star, Captain Ahab in Hakugei The Legend of Moby , Rikudoh in RahXephon, Mister in Coyote Ragtime Show, as well as roles in the live action films 2009 Lost Memories, Conduct Zero, Yesterday, Jungle Juice, and the Gamera trilogy.  In 2004, John jumped to the other side of the “mic” to direct.  Some of the shows he has directed include Welcome to the N.H.K., AirGear, Wandaba Style, St. Seiya, Shadow Skill, E’s Otherwise, Michel, Jinki Extend  and Shinobi (live action co-directed with longtime pal, Kyle Jones).  

John loves working in the world of anime as a director and voice actor!  Recently, John voiced the evil villain, General Disdain in the animated feature, Last Flight of the Champion. In addition to anime, John has voiced thousands of radio and tv commercials – even acted in a few films. But the coolest acting job was being the Beer Delivery Guy in Dazed and Confused.  

For more characters: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Swasey

Mr. Creepy Pasta

MR. Creepy Pasta- Youtube & Internet sensation Mr. Creepy Pasta creates and recites (often very creepy) stories. Come join him for a unique story telling experience at Banzaikon 2013!

For more information:  http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCreepyPasta

Steampunk Santa

We are glad to welcome back Steampunk Santa! Those who had the oppertunity to meet him last year really enjoyed the experience! We look forward to sharing more information with you soon: check back for additional details on a later date. Thank You.