OUR TEAM
Hentai Matsuri Team
LUCIA
Hentai Matsuri Event Director
Lucia’s passion for planning, managing and executing events is reflected in her over 20 years of real-life experience throughout the industries of television, movies, corporate conferences and tradeshows, art, music, IT, government, and finance. She enjoys all aspects of an event, from building it from the ground up, to marketing on all media platforms, from running day-of ops, to debriefing for success rates and future learnings.
Has worked on: San Diego Comic Con (staff), Wonder Con (staff), Fangaea (director and staff), San Diego Anime Con (staff), Tiki Oasis
RICHIE
Hype Man – Consulting Management
Richie has a long, award winning, and storied history of event production ranging from nightlife, cultural, film and media, fandom, business, and economic development conferences and conventions. After the original Hentai Con disastrously ended, he vowed to return an 18+ anime convention to California.
Richie returns in more of a strategic role transitioning out of the position of final responsibility as event director and lending his extensive experience as a consulting manager to make sure San Diego continues to lead California in 18+ anime programming.
The technology of Hentai Matsuri general, vtuber, and hentai video games will be provided by his new company Vtuber Research Club.
Has worked on: Strawberry Scented Burnout (experiential marketing coordinator, Bible Study Tsumicon Founder, Ecchi Expo (1st year sponsor), San Diego Anime Con (18+ Pool Lounge), San Diego Asian Filme Festival Special Events Staff, Anime Conji (founding sponsor, division head, non profit director), SPJA (Staff Training and Orientation)
ROSA
Marketing (Resident Hand Holder)
Rosa is a seasoned creative in her professional career as an artist, seamstress, and designer. As an Hentai Matsuri contributor, she is a graphic designer, photographer, videographer, director, and editor for Hentai Matsuri’s social media platforms. Her ultimate goal is to produce high-caliber material that captures the essence and festive nature of this 18+ event.
Has worked on: Fangaea, San Diego Anime Con, BizBaz, Animeland
CHARLIE
Registration
Charlie has been involved in conventions, cosplay gatherings, and other such things for over 12 years and on the organization front of that, pushing a decade of experience. A friendly face who loves to help people and continue the proliferation of all aspects of nerd culture within San Diego, including the more risque parts!
Has worked on: Pacific Ponycon (volunteer staff), Fangaea (staff), San Diego Anime Con (staff), Animeland (staff)
ARI
Cosplay Coordinator (Cat Herder)
Ari is an award-winning cosplayer and panelist with a passion for sharing cosplay content with the community. She has been contributing to the SoCal convention scene in various ways since 2012, including panel presentations, fashion shows, community gatherings, and more recently, cosplay contests–both as an organizer and judge.
Has worked on: San Diego Comic-Con (Staff), Anime Los Angeles (Panelist), San Diego Anime Con (Staff), Super Dimension Con (Staff), Hanadoki Con (Former Staff)
AYAKO
Cosplay Sentinel Department Head (Salt Queen)
Ayako has been part of the Southern California cosplay scene since 2012. Since then, she has had many experiences in regards to conventions as staff, meet up coordinator, and manager roles, and with Japanese culture as a member of the Japanese Friendship Garden Diversity Committee and living in Chiba, Japan from 2017-2019. Her passion for sharing her culture, experiences abroad, and supporting a safe environment have lead to her active role in the Anime Convention scene and beyond. She is hopeful that the Cosplay Sentinels program offers people a sense of security and support to those who may need their services.
Has worked on: Fangaea (Stage manager), San Diego Anime Con (Stage manager), and Anime Los Angeles (Ribbon Station staff and panelist)
DAVID
Artist Hall Manager (Event Mercenary)
Meet David, a creative technologist with a passion for exploring the intersection of anime, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. As the founder of Waifuverse, they are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the realm of virtual companions and entertainment. David’s mission is to “make anime real” by developing cutting-edge AI-powered virtual characters and immersive experiences.
Through innovative natural language processing and machine learning, David aims to create the most lifelike and engaging virtual interactions. With a playful online persona as a “bunny boi vTuber,” David shares their enthusiasm for Japanese pop culture and rallies a dedicated community of fans and supporters.
Through Waifuverse, David hopes to spark joy, wonder, and connection as we explore the uncharted potential of human-AI interaction.
HUNTER
Artist Hall Manager (Event Mercenary)
Hunter has worked a variety of events and conventions in San Diego since 2019. He’s set up and broke down events from Chinese New Year Festivals in Balboa Park and Downtown San Diego to the inaugural AnimeLand 2023 in Escondido. He’s managed stages at Balboa Park’s Winter Nights and panels at Fangaea and San Diego Anime Con. Ask him for help with anything you need.
Has worked on: Fangaea (staff), San Diego Anime Con (staff), AnimeLand (staff), BizBaz (volunteer)
SSB Lounge Experience
FRANCIS
SSB’s CEO and Lounge Experience Manager
Francis is Strawberry Scented Burnout’s CEO and creative center, responsible for making manga, zines, long term print projects with friends from all over the world, and the occasional twitch stream. His otaku powerlevel’s been shaped over 36 years of anime exposure, then powerleveled during his tenure as president of the Southwestern College “Pacific Media Club”. When it comes to conventions, he’s managed entire volunteer divisions, though these days he’s usually running a lounge and selling prints along with random merch. During his very limited off-time, Francis can be found at the The Boxing Club honing his striking skills, or on Palomar Mountain with his Acura RSX.
Has worked on: Anime Conji, TsumiCon, Fangaea, San Diego Anime Con, Pacific Arts Movement
Clandestine Chief of State
DM
Grand Architect and Event-gineer
Je veux juste créer des événements amusants pour que les gens puissent créer des expériences mémorables avec d’anciens et de nouveaux amis.
Has worked on: stuff