As a long-time convention goer, I'm always on the lookout for cons that scratch a certain itch. I love niche cons or cons that are hyper-specific. For example, I'd like to check out the Garfield Gathering - a celebration of all things Garfield. So when my boyfriend surprised me with tickets to Anime Ink in Richmond Virginia I found that specific scratch I've been looking for. Anime Ink prides itself in being the first convention that focuses on anime tattoos and artists.
A Convention for Tattoo Enthusiasts (and More)
But before you call me out in the comments for covering a tattoo con, hear me out. This convention had a meaty vendors area with tons of collectibles, a great anime voice actor guest list, a video game room, and even panels. While the focus is on tattooing this is still a full-bodied convention. We went in blind to this con and were pleasantly surprised to see Casey Mongillo - the current English voice actor of Shinji Ikari in Neon Genesis Evangelion - as a guest. Other voice actors included Michele Knotz (Pokemon), David Vincent (Bleach), and Kira Buckland (Jojo's Bizare Adventures) to name a few.
Manageable Guest Lines and Surprises
If you've done enough conventions you're aware that guest lines can get out of hand. While there were lines on Saturday afternoon, they were largely manageable. We were in and out of Mongillo's line in under 10 minutes, and now we have a framed autographed photo of Shinji hanging in our apartment.
The vendor area featured vintage gaming and anime vendors, artists, and even (my favorite coffee brand) Catfight Coffee. There was a solid selection of vintage dealers, with a heavy focus on video games and toys. For just under $25 for a daily ticket, it's worth it to check out the vendor area. Prices were slightly on the aggressive side, but we came across a number of Game Boy's, generation one Pokemon cards, and even complete in-box Super Nintendo games. One vendor had a box full of original-with-tags vintage Sailor Moon plush and toys, as well as harder-to-find anime models.
A Fun Video Game Room for All Ages
The video game room was provided by DawnStar Video Games, a Richmond area video game shop and arcade. They were also selling vintage games, records, and even Pokemon cards outside the gaming room. The gaming room had a good selection of family-friendly games, including rhythm and fighting games. While this con is again, focused on tattoos, people of all ages were encouraged to come. In fact, kids 12 and under get in for free.
While there is no official headcount from the con, the show floor was busy. People of all ages - and people without tattoos - were enjoying the show. The buzzing of tattoo guns and the music from the main entertainment stage was a lot, but after a few minutes, it became background noise for me. Vendors and artists alike were busy, and most vendors I spoke to had nothing but positive things to say about this show.
Looking Ahead: Anime Ink’s Future Shows
Anime Ink also has a convention in Savannah, GA, next April. The Richmond show will return on October 3-5, 2025, and I am genuinely excited for the con. If you're in the area, I would absolutely check this show out.
