Saboten Con

Saboten Con is an annual four-day anime convention held during August/September at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown in Phoenix, Arizona. The convention is held over Labor Day weekend. Its name comes from the Japanese word saboten, meaning "cactus".

Programming
The convention typically offers an anime music video contest, anime screenings, concerts, gaming, karaoke, masquerade, Japanese fashion show, maid cafes, panels, screenings, steampunk ball, vendors, and workshops. The convention had over 700 hours of programming in 2017.

History
Saboten Con was named the "Best Anime Convention – 2010" by the Phoenix New Times. Saboten Con 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The convention for 2021 had a mask policy. Saboten Con expanded in 2023 by adding space at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown, along with hosting a gaming event named SaboSlam.