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{{Infobox Convention
| name       = AM²
| image      = [[File:Am2 logo (halfsize).PNG|200px]]
| caption    = The official AM² logo.
| status     = Defunct
| genre      = [[Animation]], [[Manga]], [[Music]]
| venue      = [[Anaheim Convention Center]]
| location   = [[Anaheim]], [[California]]
| country    = United States
| first      = 2011
| last       = 2012
| website    =
}}
'''AM²''' (Which is pronounced: "A" "M" "Squared") was a three-day [[anime convention]] held annually in the summer at the [[Anaheim Convention Center]] in [[Anaheim, California]].
==Programming==
The content provided by AM² covers a range typical to anime conventions along with a few less traditional additions. Examples of this content include concerts, Masquerade (costume/talent show), various smaller [[cosplay]] events, an [[Anime Music Video|AMV]] contest, an exhibits area/dealer room, an "Artist Alley", [[Anime convention#Guests|GoH]] and fan panels, workshops, video screenings, [[tabletop game|tabletop gaming]], [[console gaming]], a [[karaoke]], an [[amusement arcade|arcade]], and late night dance. Some examples of less common events include a Summer Festival, [[maid café]], and the hosting of a preliminary round of the [[World Cosplay Summit]].<ref>{{cite web|title=AM² Programming Schedule |url=http://am2con.org/programming/schedule |work=AM2 Convention |accessdate=26 July 2011 |url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717033559/http://am2con.org/programming/schedule |archivedate=17 July 2011 }}</ref>
==History==
In April 2010, [[Japanese Pop]] [[Japanese Idol|idol]] [[Erina Mano]] was announced as a guest at [[Anime Expo]] for the world release of her acting debut ''Kaidan Shin Mimibukuro Kaiki''.<ref>{{Citation|title=Anime Expo to Premiere Erina Mano's 1st Lead Film Role|publisher = [[Anime News Network]]|date=30 April 2010|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-04-30/anime-expo-to-premiere-erina-mano-1st-lead-film-role|accessdate=28 March 2011}}</ref> When AX cancelled this appearance, an alternative event was created at the nearby [[Club Nokia#Nokia Theatre and Club Nokia|Club Nokia]].<ref>{{Cite press release|title=J-Pop's Number 1 Idol from Hello! Project to Appear at World Premiere Screening of Kai-Ki: Tales of Terror from Tokyo|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=25 May 2010|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2010-05-25/j-pop-number-1-idol-from-hello-project-to-appear-at-world-premiere-screening-of-kai-ki/tales-of-terror-from-tokyo|accessdate=28 March 2011}}</ref> The premiere was organized by a former PR and marketing contractor who had been terminated from Anime Expo. Additionally, several other people joined the organization who had also left Anime Expo for various reasons.
In addition to Mano-chan's appearance, several other attractions were added. The expanded 1-day event was named Club 2 the Max in reference to the choice of venue. Some of the added attractions included a Maid Cafe, a charity concert & music video shoot by [[X Japan]], and autograph session with Power Rangers stars. Club 2 the Max (aka MAX) was deemed largely successful by its sponsors, who decided to further fund it as an annual convention. MAX announced a name change in November 2010, choosing to be called AM².<ref>{{Cite press release|title=Club 2 the Max Changes Name to AM2|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=25 May 2010|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2010-11-15/club-2-the-max-changes-name-to-am2|accessdate=29 March 2011}}</ref>
The first AM² was held on July 1–3, 2011, the same weekend as Anime Expo 2011 in one of Anime Expo's former locations, the Anaheim Convention Center.<ref>{{cite news |title=AM2 Scores Another Amazing Day with Amazing Performances and Events for Avid Convention Goers |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2011-07-03/am2-scores-another-amazing-day-with-amazing-performances-and-evens-for-avid-convention-goers |newspaper=Anime News Network |date=3 July 2011 |accessdate=3 July 2013}}</ref> This occurred after a hacker modified the convention website stating that convention was cancelled.<ref>{{cite news |title=Southern California's AM2 Goes On Despite Faked Notice |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-06-20/southern-california-am2-goes-on-despite-faked-notice |newspaper=Anime News Network |date=20 June 2011 |accessdate=3 July 2013}}</ref> The convention returned to the venue in 2012 on June 15–17.<ref>{{cite web|title=Save the Date! AM² Proudly Announces 2012 Dates |url=http://am2con.org/save-the-date-am%C2%B2-proudly-announces-2012-dates/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130223082021/http://am2con.org/save-the-date-am%C2%B2-proudly-announces-2012-dates/ |url-status=dead|archive-date=23 February 2013 |publisher=AM2 Convention |accessdate=15 February 2012 }}</ref>
It was initially announced that the convention for 2013 was indefinitely postponed to an unknown later date.<ref name="am22013postponed">{{cite web | url = http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2013-07-24/am2-announced-2013-convention-postponed | title = AM2 Announced 2013 Convention Postponed | publisher = Anime News Network| accessdate = 2013-07-24}}</ref><ref name=japanator13>{{cite news|last1=Sheehy|first1=Tim|title=AM2 2013 is officially postponed|url=http://www.japanator.com/am2-2013-is-officially-postponed-29193.phtml|accessdate=4 November 2014|work=Japanator|date=July 24, 2013}}</ref> No additional announcements were ever made and the official website was eventually abandoned.
==Event History==
{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|-
! Dates !! Location !! Atten. !! Guests
{{Convention list
| date       = July 1–3, 2011
| venue      = Anaheim Convention Center
| location   = [[Anaheim]], [[California]]
| attendance = 8000<ref>{{cite web|title=AM² Sets A Record in 1st Year Convention Attendance and Celebrates The End of Its 2011 Event With The All Girl J-Rock Band SCANDAL |url=http://am2con.org/http:/am2con.org/uncategorized/am%C2%B2-sets-a-record-in-1st-year-convention-attendance-and-celebrates-the-end-of-its-2011-event-with-the-all-girl-j-rock-band-scandal |work=AM2 Convention |accessdate=8 July 2011 |url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007190253/http://am2con.org/http%3A/am2con.org/uncategorized/am%C2%B2-sets-a-record-in-1st-year-convention-attendance-and-celebrates-the-end-of-its-2011-event-with-the-all-girl-j-rock-band-scandal |archivedate=7 October 2011 }}</ref>
| guests     = [[JB Blanc]], Gashicon, [[heidi.]], An Kanon, [[Kanon Wakeshima]], kanonxkanon, [[Neil Kaplan]], Sunao Katabuchi, [[Reuben Langdon]], [[Masao Maruyama (film producer)|Masao Maruyama]], [[Kazha]], [[Sadie (band)|Sadie]], [[Scandal (Japanese band)|SCANDAL]], Miho Shimogasa, Sixh., [[Steve Staley]], [[Shinobu Ichiyanagi]]<ref>[https://archive.today/20130905065125/http://www.am2con.org/am%C2%B2-brings-sweet-treats-to-attendees-with-shan-the-candy-man/]   AM2CON, “ AM2 brings Sweet Treats to Attendees with Shan the Candy Man”, AM2con.org, 05/23/2013, retrieved 08/14/2013</ref> Akihito Yamashita<ref>{{cite web | title=AM2 2011 Information | url=https://animecons.com/events/info/2363/am2-2011 | publisher=AnimeCons.com | accessdate=2018-06-25}}</ref>
}}
{{Convention list
| date       = June 15–17, 2012
| venue      = Anaheim Convention Center
| location   = [[Anaheim, California]]
| attendance = 14,000<ref name="ANN_AM2_2012">{{cite web | url = http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2012/am2/| title = AM² 2012 | publisher = Animenewsnetwork.com | accessdate = 2012-06-18}}</ref>
| guests     = [[Quinton Flynn]], [[Toshihiro Kawamoto]], [[Andrea Libman]], [[Kazha]], [[Hiroshi Nagahama]], Putumayo, Sixh., Shinobu Ichiyanagi,<ref>http://widelantern.com/2012/02/sweet-candy-artist-shan-ichiyanagi-at-am2/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151122034716/http://widelantern.com/2012/02/sweet-candy-artist-shan-ichiyanagi-at-am2/ |date=2015-11-22 }}   Ken Choy, “Sweet: Candy Artist Shan Ichiyangi at AM2”, Wide Lantern.com, 02/08/2012, retrieved 08/14/2013</ref> [[Tara Strong]].<ref name="AM2-2012">{{cite web | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/2840/am2-2012 | title = AM2 2012 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | accessdate = 2018-06-25}}</ref>
}}
|}
==Notes==
*In response to the [[2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami]], AM² sponsored a charity art auction at Meltdown Comics in [[West Hollywood, California]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.meltcomics.com/blog/ |title=Melt Comics |access-date=2011-07-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150902114629/http://www.meltcomics.com/blog/ |archive-date=2015-09-02 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The event raised just under $7,500 on behalf of the Japan NGO Earthquake Relief and Recovery Fund.<ref>{{Citation|title=We Heart Japan Press Roundup |publisher=We Heart Japan |date=27 March 2011 |url=http://www.weheartjapan.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070512194014/http://weheartjapan.com/ |url-status=dead|archive-date=12 May 2007 |accessdate=29 March 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=We Heart Japan Raises Just Under $7,500 for the People of Japan|publisher=IGN|date=21 March 2011|url=http://games.ign.com/articles/115/1156649p1.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708075905/http://games.ign.com/articles/115/1156649p1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 July 2012|accessdate=29 March 2011}}</ref><ref>http://www.jcie.org/earthquake {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016084823/http://www.jcie.org/earthquake |date=2012-10-16 }} Japan NGO</ref>
*AM² Passports included additional benefits including discounts.<ref>{{Citation|title=AM² Official Website - Passport Benefits |publisher=AM² |date=21 January 2011 |url=http://am2con.org/attendee-registration/passport-benefits |accessdate=29 March 2011 |url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224023636/http://am2con.org/attendee-registration/passport-benefits |archivedate=24 February 2011 }}</ref>
==References==
{{Commons category|AM²}}
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Am2}}
[[Category:Conventions in California]]
[[Category:Culture of Anaheim, California]]
[[Category:Defunct anime conventions]]
[[Category:Recurring events established in 2010]]