Hawaii Con, which takes place on the Big Island of Hawai’i, recently came under fire after they announced Dragon Ball Super: Broly voice actor Vic Mignogna would be one of their guests.
The convention made the announcement that Mignogna would be a guest last week.
#HawaiiCon is THRILLED to announce one of our ohana for 2019–legendary voice actor, Vic Mignogna! Get your HC passes to make sure that you’re first in line to sit in on his VA workshops, BBQ table, and more. #WeLoveVic. Passes at https://t.co/LsRWELs80L @vicmignogna pic.twitter.com/azJxMdPxYT
— HawaiiCon (@HawaiiCon) March 12, 2019
The convention was quickly accused of being pro-sexual harassment as well as pro-rapist.
#kickvic @hawaiicon inviting sexual predator and pariah to their con. Ignoring victims. They’re basically pro sexual harassment now. Awesome job.
— Megasara (@TheMegaSara) March 12, 2019
Very bold move to make a pro rapist stance
Let’s see if it pays off
— Seibaa Idol Movie🌈Over the Rainbow (@SeibaaHomu) March 13, 2019
This is a bad look for Hawaii Con https://t.co/bxQnXFQxZ7
— ChaosJim @ Local (@ChaosJim1) March 14, 2019
And some began calling for a boycott of the convention.
Boycott @HawaiiCon because assuming over 30 women are lying is NOT aloha. I’m disgusted. pic.twitter.com/sQHL6WR6T2
— Leah Rose 🌺 (@leahroseFTW) March 12, 2019
Sweet! I don’t have to go to this con now. I’m boycotting.
— Matthew Orenstein (@mattheworenste3) March 13, 2019
Others attempted to paint the convention as threatening to guest safety.
😷 Prioritizing a guest over attendee safety, right after International Women’s Day? Ugh. #Kickvic #metoo pic.twitter.com/VhaXC4hOf8
— ✨Anabel S Pumpkins🎃 (@anabelsays) March 12, 2019
#KickVic you won’t see these comments because @HawaiiCon scrubbed the posts. So, gonna keep sharing it. Over. And. Over. And over again. #KickVic pic.twitter.com/9pstgKvCN1
— Matthew Freitas N7 (@RoninHurst) March 13, 2019
YouTuber Yellow Flash captured a number of others who were disparaging the convention simply because they announced Vic Mignogna as guest.
https://youtu.be/FVjwWX3DsJQ
Not only were people boycotting, but Hawaii Con insinuated that the boycotters were also targeting their advertisers in an attempt to financially hurt the convention.
@NickRekieta was dead on today. Boycotters go after sponsors. We’re going to put out a request tomorrow that fans send some love in the direction of our amazing sponsors (who have stuck by us). @Tupelocomiccon @AnimeMatsuri
— HawaiiCon (@HawaiiCon) March 16, 2019
Hawaii Con is not the only convention that has come under fire for inviting Vic Mignogna to be a guest. Anime-Matsuri Convention in Houston, Texas also came under fire and faced threats of a boycott because they invited Mignogna as a guest.
Mignogna was accused of sexual misconduct back in January. His accusers include fellow voice actors Jamie Marchi and Monica Rial. Following the accusations a number of conventions cancelled Vic Mignogna’s appearances. He was also fired from Funimation and Rooster Teeth.
Mignogna has denied the allegations on multiple occasions including at an appearance at Bak-Anime 2019.
After being fired, Mignogna acquired a legal team and YouTuber Nick Rekieta set up a GoFundMe that has raised more than $100,000 for his legal team.
Hawaii Con takes place from September 26 to September 29 at the Sheraton Kona Resort at Keauhou Bay.
We reached out to Hawaii Con for comment on this story, but did not hear back at the time of print.