Convention Epitanime

Convention Epitanime, formerly known as the Convention de l'animation de l'EPITA and briefly as Japan Expo 2000, is an annual convention dedicated to Japanese animation and popular culture. It is held each year around late May on the IONIS campus in Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, near Paris, and is organized by the non-profit student association Epitanime. The association was founded in 1994 by students of the EPITA engineering school, with its statutes officially filed with the prefecture four years later. It is one of the oldest and largest student associations at EPITA and serves several schools within the IONIS Education Group, including EPITA, IPSA, ESME, SupBiotech, Epitech, SUP'Internet and e-ArtSup. The convention is described as one of the oldest and most important French conventions devoted to Japanese popular culture. In 2009, its 17th edition drew between 7,000 and 8,000 participants. The event has changed names over time: it was called Convention de l'animation à l'EPITA, then Japan Expo 2000 for its 8th edition in 2000, and finally Convention Epitanime from its 12th edition in 2004. The convention offers a stage for cosplay and concerts, the outdoor Epifestival with various stands, video game areas organized with partner associations such as Cycom and Make Some Noise, room activities including Asian strategy games (Go, Shogi, Mah Jong), manga reading spaces, Japanese clothing culture activities, an Artists Alley and shops focused on Japan. Beyond the annual convention, the Epitanime association runs weekly activities throughout the year, such as drawing and Japanese language classes, traditional Japanese games and Japanese card games. It is also present at other Japan-themed events in France, including Japan Expo, which it helped create, and Paris Manga. The association is a meeting point for people interested in Japanese culture broadly, from language and cuisine to martial arts, Dance Dance Revolution, cosplay and amateur films. Its official website, epitanime.com, publishes news, event schedules and ticketing information for upcoming editions such as Matsuri Epitanime 2026.

The Convention Epitanime traces its origins to the student association Epitanime, founded in 1994 by students of the EPITA engineering school in Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France. The association's statutes were officially filed with the prefecture four years later. It grew into one of the oldest and largest student associations at EPITA, serving multiple schools within the IONIS Education Group. The convention itself began as the Convention de l'animation à l'EPITA. For its 8th edition in 2000, it was renamed Japan Expo 2000. From its 12th edition in 2004, it adopted the name Convention Epitanime. The event has been held annually around late May on the IONIS campus in Le Kremlin-Bicêtre. In 2009, its 17th edition attracted between 7,000 and 8,000 participants, establishing it as one of the most important French conventions for Japanese popular culture. Over the years, the convention expanded its programming to include a stage for cosplay and concerts, the outdoor Epifestival, video game areas in partnership with associations such as Cycom and Make Some Noise, room activities featuring Asian strategy games (Go, Shogi, Mah Jong), manga reading spaces, Japanese clothing culture activities, an Artists Alley and Japan-themed shops. The association also became involved in other Japan-themed events in France, including Japan Expo, which it helped create, and Paris Manga. It continues to organize weekly activities throughout the year, such as drawing and Japanese language classes, traditional Japanese games and Japanese card games. The official website epitanime.com regularly publishes news and event information, including for upcoming editions such as Matsuri Epitanime 2026.

• 2026

  Matsuri Epitanime 2026 scheduled for June 13 at Campus Epita/Epitech, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre.

• 2009

  17th edition draws between 7,000 and 8,000 participants.

• 2004

  12th edition adopts the name Convention Epitanime.

• 2000

  8th edition renamed Japan Expo 2000.

• 1998

  Association statutes officially filed with the prefecture.

• 1994

  Association Epitanime founded by students of EPITA.

One of the oldest and most important French conventions dedicated to Japanese popular culture, organized by a student association.

• Convention Epitanime

  Annual convention on Japanese animation and popular culture.

• Matsuri Epitanime

  A festival event organized by Epitanime.

• Epifestival

  Outdoor festival with various stands.

1. 1Epitanime - Site de l'association Epitanimeepitanime.com
2. 2Convention Epitanime - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org
3. 3Convention de l'animation de l'EPITA - Wikidatawikidata.org