Tekkoshocon: A Look at Pittsburgh's Once a Year Anime Convention

"Tekkoshocon" so far is the only notable anime convention in the state of Pennsylvania until this November when "Tandokucon" will take place in Philadelphia. Tekkoshocon takes place every year in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as the name "tekkosho" pays homage to the industry that brings life to the city which is the steel industry. There are many still mills and mill workers living near or within the city of Pittsburgh. The staff members are volunteers that do this for the love of anime and manga and not for the money.

The attendance is small in comparison to the other anime conventions. But it's highly likely as attendance level isn't that much of a concern as they are focused towards bringing a quality event to the city of Pittsburgh. However, the other thing that constitutes to the attendance level being under twenty-five hundred is that Tekkoshocon is still fairly new as the convention is about five years one with the 2007 event dubbed as "Tekkoshocon V" has already passed with the staff preparing to hold Tekkoshocon VI in 2008 which will also be held in Pittsburgh. Tekkoshocon had first started in 2003 at the Wyndham Pittsburgh Airport as attendance was under a thousand.

One of the guest of honor at Tekkoshocon 2003 was voice actor Vic Mignogna known for the voice of Edward Elric of "Fullmetal Alchemist". He would return as a guest of honor for Tekkoshocon 2004. It's expected as Vic Mignogna as he was born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania which is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area located southeast of the city.

Vig Mignogna did not make an appearance at Tekkoshocon 2005. But this was when they were going with themes such as black and green for the colors. Writing for merchandise was written in LEET or Leetspeak which is hacker speak which is usually spelled as "L337".

For three Tekkoshocon events in a row, voice actor Greg Ayres who has done voice work for several anime titles has made appearances. For Tekkoshocon 2006, fellow Fullmetal Alchemist voice actress Caitlin Glass who voiced Winry Rockbell had made a guest appearance and was one of the guests of honor at the event.