Anime North 2024, held at the Toronto Congress Centre and Delta Airport Hotel, marked a significant milestone as Canada’s largest anime convention. This year, the event expanded its offerings, providing attendees with a diverse array of attractions and entertainment.
Guest Appearances
Anime North 2024 welcomed a variety of esteemed guests, including voice actors, production staff, costumers, gamers, DJs, VTubers, and musicians. A highlight was the performance by the Japanese band MADKID, who captivated the audience with their dynamic concert on Saturday evening in Hall C of the Toronto Congress Centre’s South Building.
Major Events
The convention featured several major events that showcased the creativity and talent of the anime community:
- Opening Ceremonies: The event commenced with an engaging opening ceremony, setting the tone for the weekend’s festivities.
- 404s Comedy Shows: The all-geek improv pop-culture comedy troupe, 404s, entertained attendees with their humorous performances throughout the weekend.
- Anime Hell: This two-hour session offered a curated selection of unconventional and humorous anime clips, providing a unique viewing experience.
- Fashion Show: The fashion show highlighted the latest trends in anime-inspired fashion, featuring both professional and amateur designers.
- Saturday Masquerade: The costume contest showcased the exceptional craftsmanship and creativity of cosplayers, with awards presented on Sunday afternoon.
- AN Idol: An idol singing competition that allowed attendees to perform and compete, adding a musical element to the convention.
- Anime Music Video Contest: A showcase of fan-made music videos, celebrating the artistic talents within the community.
- Pop Idol Dance Showcase: Attendees performed Asian pop songs, demonstrating their dance skills and enthusiasm.
- Closing Ceremonies: The event concluded with a closing ceremony, reflecting on the weekend’s highlights and expressing gratitude to attendees and participants.
Vendor’s Hall and Artist Alley
The South Building housed the Vendor’s Hall, featuring over 400 booths offering a wide range of anime, manga, and related merchandise. Adjacent to this was the Artist Alley, where approximately 400 amateur artists displayed their work, providing a platform for emerging talent.
Gaming Events
The North Building was dedicated to gaming enthusiasts, featuring a comprehensive gaming hall with tabletop games, LAN tournaments, and console gaming. Notably, the convention hosted single-elimination tournaments for popular games such as Street Fighter 6, Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising, and Tekken 8, where players competed for top honors.
Special Attractions
Anime North 2024 introduced several unique attractions:
- Model Show: A display of mecha models, a model contest, and free model kit building sessions, allowing attendees to engage with model-making.
- Photo Alley: A designated area where amateur and professional photographers captured attendees in their cosplay, offering a memorable keepsake.
- Outdoor Rave: The Otakubaloo featured guest DJs performing on an outdoor stage, providing a vibrant dance experience for attendees.
- Nominoichi: A flea market with 180 tables of used anime, manga, and assorted merchandise, offering attendees the chance to find unique items.
- BotBrawl: Model robots competed in battles, showcasing engineering skills and providing entertainment for spectators.
- Archery Tag: An interactive activity where attendees could test their archery skills with inflatable arrows, adding a physical element to the convention.
- AnimeNia: A cosplay gaming event combining a card game with cosplay action, engaging fans in a dynamic and interactive experience.
- Charity Auction: An auction featuring prize packages donated by sponsors, with proceeds supporting charitable causes.
- Nagata Shachu: A Japanese Taiko drumming performance that added a cultural touch to the event, with performances during the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as on the outdoor stage.
- Aerial Performer: Miranda Tempest’s aerial hoop performances outside Hall D captivated audiences with her acrobatic skills.
- VTubers: The Cohen Ballroom hosted VTuber events and panels, catering to fans of virtual YouTubers and digital entertainment.
- Kids Area: A relaxation zone for children and parents, featuring games and a LEGO display, ensuring a family-friendly environment.
Anime North 2024 successfully expanded its offerings, providing a comprehensive and engaging experience for anime enthusiasts. With a diverse range of events, attractions, and opportunities for community engagement, the convention reinforced its status as a premier destination for fans in Canada and beyond.
