Dr. Samuel Conway, affectionately known as “Uncle Kage,” is a chemist who holds a PhD from Dartmouth College and currently serves as the chairperson of Anthrocon, an American furry convention. This convention, held annually in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is one of the largest furry conventions in the world, boasting a history of over 20 years and drawing an attendance of 17,639 congoers in 2024. Anthrocon has evolved from a small gathering of a few hundred people in the 90s to a convention that attracts thousands of fans from around the globe. Uncle Kage’s long-standing involvement in the event and its influence on cultural promotion is evident in how the event’s crowds boost Pittsburgh’s economy; local merchants also offer themed merchandise and specials, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Uncle Kage’s Anthrocon inherited several traditions from American science fiction conventions, which led to the creation of many activities that are now staples of present-day conventions, including the Dealer’s Den, Art Gallery, Charity Raffle, Panels, Guest of Honor, and Anthrocon’s most famous Fursuit Parade. Anthrocon was not only the first furry convention to conceive and implement a fursuit parade but also hosted the largest number of participants in the world, with 3,371 fursuiters marching at Anthrocon 2024.
As a prominent advocate for furry culture, Uncle Kage frequently attends furry gatherings worldwide, hosting bidding auctions and captivating audiences with his storytelling sessions (Uncle Kage’s Story Hour) due to his fluency in the language. He is an experienced storyteller who has dedicated considerable time and effort to dispelling myths and misconceptions about furries and has even been referred to as the unofficial spokesperson of furry culture, shaping its current image. In 2020, we also invited Uncle Kage to join an interview and share interesting convention experiences during our online event.
Nagabe (ながべ) is a Japanese manga artist and illustrator who graduated from Musashino Art University’s Department of Nihonga Painting. He is known for his tense, contrasting colors, sharp and soft contours, and versatile yet recognizable drawing style. He made his debut in 2013 and has created many long and short comics, with notable works such as “The Girl from the Other Side: Siúil, a Rún,” “MONOTONE BLUE,” “EAT,” and “SMELL,” among others.
In most of his works, the protagonists of Nagabe’s manga begin their stories with extraordinary relationships, and the stylized design and characterization leave a lasting impression on readers. Readers can savor the sweet and sour moments in daily interactions described in detail. Nagabe excels at presenting the bond between characters through simple dialogues and slow rhythms, which resonate emotionally and intellectually with people.
In addition to his manga work, Nagabe recently designed the game character “Vlaham” for “LIVE A HERO!”, and his unique look is quite popular among players. The manga “The Girl from the Other Side: Siúil, a Rún” has been further developed into short animations and a 70-minute movie.
Nagabe will be giving a panel on drawing at this year’s Infurnity, sharing his extensive experience in the field. Anyone interested in drawing and his work should grab this opportunity to come along. He will also bring his friend “BUZZED,” who is half goat and half wolf, to Furtopia to meet and interact with everyone!
Don’t forget to check out Nagabe and BUZZED’s social media to keep up with their latest news!
