Nan Desu Kan
StatusActive
GenreAnime[1]
VenueGaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center
LocationAurora, Colorado
CountryUnited States
First1997
OrganizerRocky Mountain Anime Association[2]
Filing501(c)(4)[3]
Attendance18,987 in 2017[4]
Websitehttp://www.ndkdenver.org/

Nan Desu Kan (NDK) is an annual three-day anime convention held during August/September at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Aurora, Colorado. The convention is the largest anime convention in the Rocky Mountain region and each one takes eighteen months to plan.[5][6][7] Its name in Japanese roughly means nan desu ka (何ですか), "what is it?".[8] The parent company, Rocky Mountain Anime Association, is a registered 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization.[2][3]

Programming

The convention typically offers an anime music video contest, art showings and auctions, cultural panels, dances, dealer's room, games, masquerade, musical guests, screenings of anime, and workshops.[1][9][3][10] NDK at one time hosted a contest for attendees who decorate their atrium hotel rooms, with the winners receiving a free hotel room.[11] The convention has held various fundraisers since 2000 to support organizations that include: American Diabetes Association, American Red Cross, Child's Play, Japan America Society of Colorado, Susan G. Komen Foundation, and the United Way Gulf Recovery Fund (2010).[3][11] In 2012, $12,000 was raised for the Aurora Victim Relief Fund and other charities.[2][12] The 2015 charity fundraiser was a poker tournament for Dumb Friends League.[13] The conventions tabletop and video gaming room runs 24 hours during the event.[14]

History

Prior to 2000 the convention was known as Nan Desu Kon.[15] Renovations in the hotel were still underway prior to the start in 2003, but did not affect the convention.[16] The convention chose not to move to the Colorado Convention Center due to attendee logistic issues (hotels, money, and parking).[6] The convention instituted an attendance cap of 7,500 per day in 2011 due to event quality and attendee comfort concerns.[6][17] The attendance cap of 7,500 per day continued into 2012 and the convention was a sellout.[2][18] The convention added the Hilton Garden Inn DTC hotel in 2013, occurred during the 2013 Colorado floods, and attendance remained capped at 7,500 attendees.[9][19] Along with the flooding the fire alarm went off, tornado warnings occurred, long lines occurred, and the masquerade had to be stopped due to a medical emergency. The convention also hosted the World Cosplay Summit Mountain Qualifiers with Green Jello Cosplay winning.

Nan Desu Kan moved from the Marriott Denver Tech Center to Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel in 2015 due to growth and included an expanded dealers room.[20] Nan Desu Kan 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[21][22] In 2021, the convention moved to the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center.[14]

Event history

DatesLocationAtten.Guests

Other events

On August 8, 2004 the convention held a CosPlay Dance Party at the Rock Island Night Club in Denver, Colorado.[23] In 2011, Nan Desu Kan organized a benefit for the Japanese Red Cross named Rave2Save. The event was held on Saturday April 30, 2011 at the Marriott Denver Tech Center, which donated the Evergreen Ballroom, and funds raised at the event were matched by the Rocky Mountain Anime Association.[24] The event raised $13,440.[17]

References

  1. ^ "Animeniacs". AsiaXpress. Archived from the original on 2010-12-13. Retrieved 2014-09-21.
  2. ^ "Nan Desu Kan anime showcase back in Denver for 16th year". The Denver Post. Archived from the original on 2012-09-18. Retrieved 2012-09-23.
  3. ^ "Nan Desu Kan announces second round of guests". AnimeCons.com. 2010-08-23. Retrieved 2018-06-06.
  4. ^ "Nan Desu Kan 2017 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
  5. ^ "NDK: Nerds conquer Denver!". CNN iReport. Retrieved October 24, 2011.
  6. ^ "Mile High Anime". Otaku USA. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
  7. ^ "Scenes from Nan Desu Kan". The Colorado Springs Independent. Archived from the original on 2015-09-13. Retrieved 2014-09-21.
  8. ^ "Turning Japanese - Japanese cartoons will be center stage at the Nan Desu Kan 6 convention". Denver Westword. Archived from the original on 2012-09-23. Retrieved 2012-09-23.
  9. ^ "Nan Desu Kan 2013". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2013-09-23.
  10. ^ "A n00b's first Nan Desu Kan anime convention experience". Denver Westword. Archived from the original on 2012-09-21. Retrieved 2012-09-23.
  11. ^ "Nan Desu Kan brings Japanese pop culture to the DTC". AsiaXpress. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2014-09-21.
  12. ^ "Nan Desu Kan 2012: Next level anime convention awesomeness". Denver Westword. Archived from the original on 2012-09-20. Retrieved 2012-09-23.
  13. ^ Kemmerly, Karah (August 31, 2015). "Our Top Charitable Picks for August 31-September 7". 5280 The Denver Magazine. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  14. ^ Bohlen, Teague (September 1, 2021). "Nan Desu Kan 24 Returns for Labor Day Weekend". Westword. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  15. ^ "Nan Desu Kan 2000 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
  16. ^ "Nan Desu Kan 2003 Overview". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2012-09-23.
  17. ^ "Nan Desu Kan Raises $13,440 for Japan, Announces First Round of Guests". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2012-09-23.
  18. ^ "A Visit to Nan Desu Kan Anime Convention Spotlights Cosplay". The Huffington Post. 18 September 2012. Retrieved 2012-10-30.
  19. ^ "Nan Desu Kan 2013 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
  20. ^ Chianese, Evan (September 9, 2015). "Nerd culture converges in hotel: Nan Desu Kan". Metropolitan State University of Denver. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  21. ^ "Nan Desu Kan". Nan Desu Kan Facebook. Archived 2022-02-26 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  22. ^ "Nan Desu Kan 2020 Convention Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  23. ^ "Nan Desu Kan announces Cosplay Dance Party". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2014-08-26.
  24. ^ "NDK's Rave2Save for Japanese Disaster Relief: 4/30/11". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2012-09-23.