Inspiring Conversations with Jafax, Inc. of JAFAX, Inc.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jafax, Inc.

Hi JAFAX, Inc., so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Founded in 1996 by a few dedicated fans of anime, JAFAX started out with just a few showing rooms at the Kendall College of Art and Design with less than 150 attendees. After a couple of years, the founders of the event partnered with the local anime club at Grand Valley State University (GVSU), Otaku no Anime, to grow the event.

JAFAX spent 17 years at the GVSU Allendale campus, growing to occupy multiple buildings and attracting more than 5,000 fans of anime, manga, and Japanese culture. To better accommodate attendees, JAFAX moved to the DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids. Today, JAFAX is West Michigan’s longest-running animation celebration, with 2025 marking its 27th year.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like most events and businesses, JAFAX was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, which forced the cancellation of our event in 2020 and 2021. Our first year back was challenging as people were very wary of gathering publicly. Fortunately, our attendees have started returning and now JAFAX focuses on continued growth for the future.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about JAFAX, Inc.?
Most people know JAFAX as Grand Rapids’ annual anime convention, but JAFAX is much more than that. We are actually a 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization that works with local charities such as the Kids’ Food Basket to give back to our local community.

JAFAX also stands out from other anime cons thanks to its Japanese cultural offerings. Japan is the birthplace of anime and JAFAX celebrates these origins by offering live events such as sumo and martial-arts demonstrations, a samurai museum, a Japanese-style maid café, Japanese conversation panels, a sword dojo, a kimono fashion show, and more.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
JAFAX uses social-media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, BlueSky, Discord, and Threads to better reach and interact with our community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jafax.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jafax_gr/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jafaxgr
• Twitter: https://www.x.com/jafax_gr
• Other: https://bsky.app/profile/jafax-gr.bsky.social