Youth Connection | Sakura-Con 2012

By Noelle Kola

Konichiwa, Seattle! Yes, it has finally arrived—the event that all anime freaks and Japanese fanatics (myself included) have been waiting for! It’s Sakura-con 2012! Watashi no tomodachi!

Sakura-con is not only the largest anime festival in the Northwest, but it is also ringing out its 15th year of Japanese culture celebration from April 6 -8. This has come a long way from its humble beginnings at the Double Tree Inn in Tukwila to being clearly ready to pull in thousands of fans from the States and other countries. This year, Sakura-con provides the amazing opportunity to see exciting acts such as girl rock band and platinum recorders, Stereopony, all the way from Okinawa! In addition, Fumiko Kawamura, the head designer of the rising Lolita fashion, will be attending to sell her latest wearable masterpieces. The Con will also feature multimedia artist and musician Kanon Wakeshima as well as Naoto Hirooka. Of course, there are many more voice musicians, musicians, designers, and creative forces in the world of anime, manga and games.

And who could forget the fans, who will be creating a spectacle with cosplay? The Con will hold numerous contests, dances, a masquerade ball, fashion shows and nonstop parties entirely for you. This year is sure to leave everyone breathless and disoriented by awesomeness come Sunday.

Believe it! I’ll see you at the Con.

Noelle Kola is in eighth grade at. She writes for , a publication of .

If you go

Sakura-con is at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday April 6 and 7 and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday April 8. Registration is $60 at the door. Children age 6-12 receive a 50 percent membership price discount with their family; Children 5 and under receive complimentary membership with their family. People under 18 need to be accompanied by an adult. For more information on that other aspects of the convention, go to http://www.sakuracon.org/