Colorful cosplayers filled the lobby of the Sheraton Grand Phoenix for the 12th annual Saboten Con over Labor Day weekend. Saboten Con is the largest anime convention in Arizona and is hosted by Monkey Paw Entertainment.
Programming includes photo opportunities, educational workshops and panel discussions with celebrities and local guests. Attendees can also shop at numerous vendors’ and artists’ booths.
Key guests at this year’s event include Steve Blum from Cowboy Bebop, Sandy Fox from Sailor Moon Crystal, and Rica Matsumoto from Pokémon. Although celebrity guests are what draw many people to Saboten Con, attendees note that the educational panels are unique additions that inspire them to return.
“What I like about Monkey Paw is that since I’m new to cosplay, I can attend panels that teach you how to cosplay on a budget,” said Vicky Catherine of New Mexico. “At Saboten Con, my (cosplay) comfort zone expands.”
In addition to opportunities to learn, guests note that the atmosphere of Saboten Con is what makes the convention noteworthy.
Before the convention, Saboten Con used Facebook to host a contest for attendees to submit art for the event badges. The winner of this contest gets in for free. Additionally, guests of the hotel are automatically upgraded to VIP, panelists get a half-priced badge, event volunteers who put in more than 10 hours get in free.
“(Saboten Con) is really special because Greg does everything he can to make the convention accessible for everyone,” said panelist Christian Brillante of Albuquerque, N. M. “There’s a large variety of people here, there’s gender-bent cosplayers, people with disabilities, and he pulls from the local community all the way to people with large online presences.”
Inside the convention, local artists are juxtaposed next to the large vendor hall. One notable local artist is Victoria (Vic) Hollins of Vic Hollins Art in Tucson. Vic is hoping to meet new people this weekend and gain exposure for her comic books which she describes as her “passion project.”
Like Vic, body pillow vendor Chris, who declined to give his last name, stated that Saboten Con is a great way to meet new people of diverse backgrounds.
“Since Saboten Con’s sole focus is anime, the community is very tightly knit,” Chris said. “However, I’m not the biggest anime fan, so being here has broadened my perspective.”
In Fennell’s program note, he wrote, “Every year we get new additions and that spirit of bonding is what I’m hoping to promote through these shows.”
The spirit of Saboten Con radiates in every corner of the convention. Whether it be the packed vendor hall or just in the lobby, the community that Fennel has created is bustling with attendees freely expressing themselves.
“Anime has always been a safe place for me,” Brillante said. “At Saboten Con, I can share this safe space and let my freak flag fly. I get to be myself and really enjoy that.”
Contact the reporter at ilschnei@asu.edu.
