Anipop

Convention
Name:	Anipop
Dates:	1999-2002 2006-2007 2010-2011
Frequency:	annual
Location:	Sintra and Lisbon Portugal
Type:	Fan-run
Focus:	anime
Organization:	AJACJ
Founder:
Founding Date:	1999
URL:	(deactivated) https://anipop.org/
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Anipop was an annual anime convention in Sintra, and then later Lisbon, Portugal. The convention spawned other events: Anipop ½ and Anipop Kyuu-Ti.

On September 3rd 2003, with the support of the Instituto Português da Juventude, IPJ (Portuguese Youth Institute), Anipop's non-profit, Associação Juvenil de Animação e Cultura Japonesa, or AJACJ (Japanese Animation and Culture Youth Association) was created by the fans running the con in order to gather more support for future cons.

Anipop helped showcase Japanese animation and manga in Portugal, with activities focusing also on traditional Japanese customs. In later years it also received attendees from non anime fandoms.

Through various connections and partnerships, Anipop allowed fans to gain access to Japanese media they otherwise would have not had easily come in contact with.

Association and Membership

Fans could join the association after its inception in 2003, with a sign-up fee of 10€ and a annual fee of 5€. This granted them access to a membership card, restricted areas of the forum, discounts at events and AJACJ's Japanese Language Club, Cosplay Club, Videogame Club, Drawing Club and the Journalistic Nucleus. Many of the members/organizers went on to work in fan related fields.

Fundada a 3 Setembro de 2003, a Anipop - AJACJ assume como missões o desenvolvimento da cooperação e da solidariedade entre os seus associados, na base da realização de iniciativas relativas à divulgação e debate da animação e cultura japonesa, a realização de exposições/mostras em se sejam expostos os trabalhos e contribuições dos sócios, e a criação de espaços destinados a promover a cooperação e o desenvolvimento de atividades relacionadas com a cultura e a animação japonesa, em todas as suas vertentes. A Anipop - AJACJ conta com o apoio do Instituto Português da Juventude (IPJ) e com os seus associados para a prossecução dos seus fins.

Anipop's Membership Pitch from Forum Otaku Portugal https://otakuportugal.forumeiros.com/t2193-associacao-anipop-ajacj

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Founded on September 3rd 2003, Anipop - AJACJ undertakes as missions the development of the cooperation and of the solidarity amongst its associates, in what regards the execution of the initiatives related to the promotion and debate of Japanese animation and culture, the realization of expos/showcases in which Member contribution and work is present, and the creation of spaces destined to promote the cooperation and development of activities with relation to Japanese culture and animation, in all of its aspects. Anipop - AJACJ has the support of the Portuguese Youth Institute (IPJ) and of its associates for the fulfilment of its objectives.

Translated by Aliandry

Influences

It also supported and was present in other, later created, anime conventions in Portugal, like Animatosinhos, until it's eventual closing.

During the early years of the convention, the focus on "Japanese Culture" was empathised as a way to gain the respect (and founding) of the Portuguese audience that wasn't yet familiar with anime and manga, and tended to scoff at the sort of fannish behaviours that were present at cons. Because of this, during its run, the convention attracted the attention of the Japanese Embassy in Portugal and the Museu do Oriente (Orient Museum).

The President of the AJACJ, Inês Torrão, also appeared on national television together with Ana Santos, 2011 European Cosplay Gathering (ECG)'s winner of the Group Category, after the success of anime, in general, began reaching mainstream media.

Before this, Portuguese viewers were already deeply familiar with Dragon Ball and Sailor Moon, which had originally aired in the country during the 90s. Dragon Ball, in particular, had been so popular amongst older people when it came out, that it had been common for many viewers of the anime to skip work, or work schedules in general be changed, so people could watch the new episodes when they came out. Although it was truly a phaenomenon, anime as a style wasn't really well known in Portugal at the time, and after the show was over, many of the first devout viewers never watched anime again.

The Anipop interview helped spread the concept of Cosplay in Portugal. While the interview was a success, unfortunately, Cosplay and Cosplayers have occasionally been misrepresented and mocked in Portuguese television since, often harassed by interviewers, who mistake the activity of creating one's cosplay and donning it as kink. The activity, when accepted, was usually considered a child's pastime, since most people liken it to carnaval, and weren't aware the costumes and props were handmade.

Anipop is credited by many as the inspiration for more mainstream anime and, eventually, comic conventions in the country. Many of its early participants and organizers, mainly from the cosplay community, have continued to be part of conventions in Portugal, mainly through the Cosplay Competition, as judges and presenters.

A Anipop teve lugar pela primeira vez em 1999, na Casa da Juventude da Tapada das Mercês. Ao longo de 3 anos, o evento desenvolveu-se e cresceu, tendo os seus organizadores desenvolvido um grau de especialização neste tipo de evento único no nosso país. Indo este ano na sua 4ª edição, a Anipop muda de casa, mas não de carácter nem objectivo: continua a ser a maior mostra de animação e banda desenhada japonesa em Portugal.

Declaração de abertura do Sítio Online da Anipop 2002 (Versão Arquivada) https://web.archive.org/web/20021212221118/http://anipop.org/eventos.html

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Anipop took place for the first time in 1999, in Casa da Juventude da Tapada das Mercês. Over the course of 3 years, the event evolved and grew, with its organizers developing a degree of specialization in the creation of this one-of-a-kind type of event in our country. Currently in its 4th edition, Anipop has changed its address, but not its character nor objective: it still is the biggest showcase of Japanese anime and manga in Portugal.

Anipop 2002 Website Opening Statement, Translated by Aliandry