Kawaii Kon is bigger, broader than ever

The first Kawaii Kon in 2005 fit neatly in a handful of rooms on the second floor of the Ala Moana Hotel.

Two years later, attendance had risen enough that the convention moved up the street to the Hawaii Convention Center.

The 10th edition of Kawaii Kon, kicking off Friday, marks another first:It’s taking over every floor of the convention center.

But as the annual three-day event billing itself as "Hawaii’s premier anime convention" has grown and evolved, so too has its target audience. In a time when American shows such as "Adventure Time," online comics such as "Homestuck"and films such as "Frozen" are garnering just as much attention as popular anime "Attack on Titan" and "Kill la Kill," the umbrella of Kawaii Kon programming has quietly shifted to cover those more diverse tastes.

In fact, one of the most accomplished voice actors on this year’s guest list is best known for his work with a number of Disney franchises.

Jim Cummings took over as the voice of Winnie the Pooh in 1988and Tigger in 2000, while people who grew up with the "Disney Afternoon" cartoon block in the late ’80s and ’90s will recognize him as the voice of Darkwing Duck, Bonkers D. Bobcat, Don Karnage and Louie in "Talespin" and Fat Cat and Monterey Jack in "Chip ‘n’ Dale Rescue Rangers."

Conventions like Kawaii Kon are an opportunity for fans to interact with their favorite actors, and there certainly will be no shortage of that this weekend.

Cummings also embraces the chance to meet fans.

"Just to know that I’ve been able to touch so many beautiful people in their lives as they were growing up is beyond any medal or award that I could ever receive," Cummings said.

Anime fans will get their share of industry insiders as well, from both the U.S. and Japan. One of the big draws over the years has been Vic Mignogna, best known as the voice of Edward Elric in "Fullmetal Alchemist" and Tamaki in "Ouran High School Host Club."This year marks Mignogna’s seventh appearance at Kawaii Kon.

"It’s been quite exciting to see Kawaii Kon grow so much and be such a successful convention," Mignogna said. "The people that put on this convention have done it so successfully in other cities that they know how to create and execute an event that fans love and attracts more attendees every year."

Sometimes, the fans they meet go on to be a big part of the industry themselves.

"I remember meeting a young fanboy one year who went on to be a very talented voice actor at Funimation Micah Solusod,"Mignogna said.

In fact, Solusod has had some plum roles in recent years, including Jonah in "Jormungand"and Soul Eater Evans in "Soul Eater."

But it’s the allure of the isles as paradise that, while perhaps cliche to residents, is an irresistible draw for guests, particularly those attending the convention for the first time, like Cummings and fellow voice actors Quinton Flynn and Richard Horvitz.

Cummings and Horvitz, the voice of Zim in "Invader Zim" and Alpha-5 in the "Power Rangers" franchise, have both enjoyed visits to the islands.

Cummings said: "Last time we were there, my 9-year-old Gracie said, Dad, are you sure this is the same ocean as ours in California? Because this one’s nice and warm. Ours is kinda cold even in summer.’ Out of the mouth of babes, right?"

Horvitz and his family frequently visit the state Oahu, Maui and Hawaii island are favorite stops, and snorkeling tours off the Kona coast are a particular highlight.

Horvitz’s father was stationed at Pearl Harbor during World War II, so "we have a very special affinity for Hawaii in my family," he said.

For Flynn, the voice of Kon in "Bleach," Iruka in "Naruto" and Raiden in the "Metal Gear Solid" games, Hawaii will be a new experience. His maternal grandmother shared how the isles were among her favorite places to visit, building what he calls an "advanced fondness" for them.

"I’m looking forward to meeting fans and friends, new and old, in your tropical paradise,"Flynn said. "I’ve been told that Hawaii is full of every kind of beauty imaginable. I’d like to take that in as well as what I understand to be a more easygoing and laid-back approach to living."

More Kawaii Kon highlights

>> Audra Furuichi has been drawing “nemu*nemu: Blue Hawaii,” featuring the adventures of plush pup Blue and his friends, for the Star-Advertiser since 2012. The first print collection of those strips is “Blue Hawaii: Wish 

You Were Here!,” and it debuts at Kawaii Kon at the nemu*nemu booth in the Dealers Room. (Can’t make it to Kawaii Kon? Digital pay-what-you-want copies are on sale now at ow.ly/vgVca.)

>> After several years on hiatus, MidWeek cartoonist Roy Chang, author of “Cacy & Kiara and the Curse of the Ki‘i,” will be returning to Kawaii Kon to offer individualized critiques of artist portfolios. And yes, Pepe the Chihuahua will be coming along as well. Take your work to Chang at 5-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m -7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday (first-level concourse).

>> Librarians from the Hawaii State Public Library System will share information on anime and manga available at libraries and give away goodies to anyone who can show them a library card. (Artist Alley, table 59)

>> Jon Murakami, Star-Advertiser “Calabash” cartoonist, will be selling large prints of his recent comic strips as well as issue 7 of “Gordon Rider,” the latest 

installment in the continuing adventures of Hawaii’s worst superhero. A convention-exclusive edition with a cover drawn by Comic Jam Hawaii coordinator Michael Cannon also will be available. (Artist Alley, table 58)

>> Author Stacey Hayashi will talk about “Journey of Heroes,” the manga-style comic book chronicling the story of the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team, during the hourlong “Real Heroes, Chibi Style” panel at 3:30 p.m. Saturday (Special Events room 311).

>> Terri Dux, Karl Miyashiro and the idkwhat2wear gang will be introducing new T-shirt designs for men and racerback tank tops for women, as well as new buttons. (Artist Alley, tables 79 and 80)

>> Brady Evans will be selling a set of three Legendary Pokemon prints from “Pokemon Gold” and “Pokemon Silver,” as well as his new comic, “The Man Who Owed His Life to a Fox,” loosely based on a classic Japanese folk tale. (Pen & Ink Works, Artist Alley, table 77)