Anime North is upon us! This not-for-profit con has taken place yearly in Toronto since 1997, and with over 30,000 annual visitors for the last few years, it rivals the size of Montreal’s Otakuthon. The 28th edition is coming in hot today, Friday May 23rd, so let’s take a look at some of the biggest things that first-time goers should keep in mind.
The Location
For any visitors from Quebec, the sprawling area of the convention will be the biggest difference compared to Montreal events such as the MTL Comiccon or Otakuthon, which tend to be concentrated in the Palais des Congrès or other single buildings. When I attended Anime North in 2024, the convention was spread out over three buildings: two that are part of the Toronto Congress Centre (TCC), and the Delta Hotels Toronto Airport & Conference Centre across the street. While the convention’s website includes a helpful map of the convention centre, it can be difficult to understand the sheer scale of this con until you arrive. Although there is a cap of 36,500 people this year, there will still be a massive amount of foot traffic that can make navigation a difficult endeavour, especially when trying to cross the street between the hotel and the TCC.
Last year, I struggled a bit with understanding the locations of cosplay group meet-ups. Although I had a map, figuring out exactly where people are gathering, especially outside, was sometimes far from intuitive. In the end, however, I found every group I was looking for, so persistence, patience, and a handy map will pay off.
Artists’ Alley
The scale of the artists’ alley is far greater than many others I have attended. Between vendors and artists, more than half of one of the TCC’s buildings (four massive halls) are completely filled. This space also includes smaller events such as the Gunpla/model area and the BotBrawl tournament, where robots in a variety of weight classes aim to destroy each other in one-on-one combat.
I was particularly intrigued by the middle-weight fights, where 10-15 pound robots faced off against each other. Armed with hammers, saws, and even one that had a ramp on the front to scoop its opponent up, these robots were particularly entertaining. While the large crowd gathered around made it sometimes hard to see, I was entranced and spent over an hour watching the tournament unfold.
To get the best bang for your buck without spending too long in the artists’ alley, browse with something specific in mind. Be it a few particular artists whose work you enjoy, or merchandise for a specific anime, having a goal will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed. Cozy Cryptids, a small shop that creates adorable stuffed animals based on, well, cryptids, was one of my highlights last year and will be returning this year. I’m also pleased to see Fabled Creative on their list, as I’ve seen them at several Montreal conventions before and adore their artwork (if you’ve got the time, check out their dinosaur skull prints specifically!). Nocturnal Doodle Club has a variety of stickers, keychains, and prints for sale, including several adorable Critical Role-themed items.
The Talent
As with the Montreal ComicCon and Otakuthon, one of the highlights of Anime North is the talent they’ve invited to visit. Some of the most notable for me are Landon McDonald, who has voiced notable characters in Demon Slayer, Bungo Stray Dogs, and JuJutsu Kaisen; and Brina Palencia, who voices Ciel Phantomhive in Black Butler (a good compliment to J. Michael Tatum/Sebastian of Black Butler, who was a special guest last year). Mark Whitten, a voice actor who has played various roles in both video games and anime and serves as the co-creator/actor/voice director of podcast The Hotel, may be of interest for those who are looking to learn more about voice acting and his extensive and storied career.
Whether you are chasing autographs or panels, last year I found that the voice actors were eminently accessible. There are plenty of chances to speak to anyone you wish, and the panels all have a very friendly atmosphere and highly encourage attendees to participate. For example, on Sunday I and several other panel-goers were each able to ask Mari Shimizu (the iconic voice of Astro Boy in the 1963 series) multiple questions, and it was incredible to get her unique perspective on how voice acting has changed over the decades.
A large group of almost 30 Vtubers is also invited, including both idols/performers and more casual streamers. If you are on the outside looking in like me, dropping by some of their events is a great way to dip your toe into that world. I only got to stop in for a short time in 2024, but there’s something special about standing in a room with a group of people in real life and engaging with the realistic yet stylized models projected onto the screens. The VSinger Stage also offers the chance to enjoy a bombastic performance for which prior knowledge isn’t necessary.
Otakubaloo
A final thing to anticipate is Otakubaloo, the yearly outdoor dance party. On Friday and Saturday night, beginning at 7 pm, an exclusive lineup of DJs and musicians will be curating sets running until the wee hours of the morning. With very specific rules about bags and cosplay props, it may be difficult logistically to move directly from the convention into partying, but it is well worth it.
Even when simply walking by on Friday and Saturday evening, the excitement is palpable, and the music and accompanying strobe lights are epic in scale. While getting into the dance space requires a badge and submitting to a security check, it is possible to stand outside the fenced-in area to enjoy some of the music like I did last year. Security is on-site to discourage any unpleasant behaviour, but, of course, it is still best to keep an eye out for yourself, given the large number of partygoers.
Overall, Anime North is an absolute gem, and the passion put into this event makes it obvious why it has so much staying power. While there may be far more options for anime fans to meet up these days than in the late 1990s, I still find it exciting to plunge into the deep end and explore a convention of this size. I had a fantastic time in 2024, and I’m sure anyone attending the 2025 edition will enjoy a similarly exhilarating experience.