panels
Panels are short presentations, performances, or activities led by speakers. We try to include a variety of panelists at UChi-Con, especially teachers who are familiar with Japanese and animation cultures. Panels are generally around an hour each, during which audience members are free to come and go. They run from 11AM to 5PM. UChi-Con participants are welcome to come to as many or as few panels as desired. Our recommendation is to check which panels are happening when at the beginning of the day and to plan other events (gaming, karaoke, browsing the artists alley, etc.) around them.
If you are a student/faculty member/RSO group at the University of Chicago interested in having a panel, or if you have presented before at a previous UChi-Con, please feel free to contact us via email (ucjas@uchi-con.com) ahead of time.
2024 Panels Schedule
Panels (Harper 135)
Virtual Uploaders from China
(10:30 AM - 11:00 AM) Meet virtual uploaders from China!
Therapeutic cosplaying
(11:00 AM - 12:00 PM) Come discuss the effects of online harassment and protecting your mental health.
Adventures of Cosplay: A how-to Cosplay Workshop
(1:00 PM - 2:00 PM) Emcee Monte will teach you how to bring a character to life: from pattern making to building with EVA foam and everything in between!
Anime Meets Reality: Explore the Iconic Locations Behind Anime
(2:00 PM - 3:00 PM) The Japanese Consulate showcase famous anime settings and their real-life counterparts. Discover the inspirations behind these animated worlds and uncover hidden gems!.
Chainsaw Man
(3:00 PM - 4:00 PM) Join us for an in-character panel for games, trivia, and fun!
Land of the Lustrous: Shimmering Shenanigans!
(4:00 PM - 4:30 PM) A Land of the Lustrous (Hoseki no Kuni) panel where we do trivia and other games about this dazzling show!
Panels (Harper 130)
Analyzing the Zom-Rom-Com Genre
(11:00 AM - 11:30 AM) The romantic comedy genre has a delectable subset of zombie fiction. This panel will explore the small yet growing sub genre that puts the ‘meat’ in meet-cute
Transmedial Storytelling & History
(11:30 AM - 12:00 PM) Focusing on anime and other media adaptations of "Tales of Heike", this panel considers how Japanese modes of mixed media storytelling affects history
Retro JRPG Adventure: Reliving PS2 Classics
(12:00 PM - 1:00 PM) Join Ashlyn Sparrow, game designer and assistant director of the Weston Game Lab at UChicago, as she plays and discusses classical JRPG games on PS2!
Demon Slayer: Where Religion and Anime Meet
(1:00 PM - 2:00 PM) The panel focuses on the popular anime Demon Slayer and explores its incorporation of elements from Japan's wide variety of religious traditions.
Energetic Protection for Cosplayers & Streamers: 101
(2:00 PM - 2:30 PM) When you cosplay, stream, and put yourself online, you are likely to interface with negative folks. Learn basics of energy, shielding yourself, spells, and cleansing your space so you remain vibing high and in good spirits online!
The Anime Quadrapocalypse & Second Golden Age
(2:30 PM - 3:30 PM) Evangelion, Ghost in the Shell, Sailor Moon, and more—so many influential shows were produced in 1995. Join manga/anime historian and industry consultant Ada Palmer to learn about their rise to fame and anime's second Golden Age.
Anime Translation and Localization
(3:30 PM - 4:30 PM) Ever wonder how translating anime works--or what happens after the translation is done? Sarah Alys Lindholm, a veteran with 20 years in the anime industry, talks translation and answers your questions.
Performances (3F Theater)
The Bozo Bandits
(10:45 AM - 11:15 AM) Listen to Jpop and anime related songs by this amazing cover group!
Adventures of Emcee Monte and the Cosplay DJs
(11:30 AM - 12:00 PM) The Cosplay DJs combine Hip Hop and Cosplay to create musical MAGIC!
Michi!Live: Love and Idols!
(12:45 PM - 1:45 PM) Michi!Project returns to Uchi-Con with their most energetic performance yet!
Jenni Bon Live!
(12:45 PM - 1:15 PM) Made of sugar and everything nice, Jenni Bon is the magical girl idol that will make your heart smile~
neXus Dance Collective
(1:15 PM - 1:30 PM) Watch UChicago's neXus Dance Collective perform two-three amazing dances!
Dance Performance
(1:30 PM - 2:30 PM) Join us for a dazzling journey through the world of anisong performances, many iconic songs.
Dance Dance Sekai’s Year Review Performance
(2:30 PM - 3:00 PM) Come see Dance_Dance_Sekai perform some iconic Rin and Len dances. Bring your pen lights and energy!
MikuPa Live: Winter Love
(3:00 PM - 4:00 PM) Come experience a wintery live performance with some favorite songs from Miku and friends!
Kojo Daiko
(4:00 PM - 4:30 PM) UChicago’s only Japanese drumming (taiko) group! Learn how to play taiko and jam along.
Game Music Ensemble
(4:00 PM - 5:30 PM) Various anime song performances!
UChi-Con 2025 panel applications have not yet opened!