Anime North 2015 Coverage
I loved Anime North thiiiiiiiis much!
This is my 5th year covering Anime North and I still feel like it gets bigger and better every time. Taking place in Ontario (Canada), Anime North is a fan-run convention attracting over 15,000 anime enthusiasts every year. Yeah, it’s that big. As such, the convention occupies not just the huge convention centre – but a multitude of surrounding hotels. Even the surrounding restaurants get in on it with special “anime” menus for con-goers. Just this year we got access to a spacious ballroom in another building for concerts, the masquerade, and the skit contest (among other events). The more room the better, because Anime North is always jam-packed with bodies. I’m sure most con-goers are used to having to practically swim through throngs of people just to take a look at artist tables. Even when you’re combating your way through sweaty cosplayers, navigating endless lines just to get coffee, or going through the harrowing experience of walking over highway bridges to return to your hotel room…Anime North is still stupidly fun.
Skit Contest and Masquerade
Hooray for media passes letting me get in first~
Last year was my first time attending the Masquerade, and this year was my first time attending the Skit Contest. Both require contestants to pose and/or do a routine in costume, but they have different focuses. The Masquerade is all about who has the sickest handmade costume. The skit contest is more about creating an entertaining routine that goes well with your costume – even if you didn’t painstakingly make your own boots from scratch out of leather (which is totally a thing someone did in the Masquerade and it took a while for my jaw to reattach after hearing this). They’re both fun events, although I think I got A BIT more out of the Masquerade since a lot of the contestants figure if they go all out on their costume they should go all out on their routine as well. Seeing Kotori from Love Live! dance to Platinum Disco was definitely a plus for the Skit Contest though.
Merchandise
My loot!
I spend a lot of convention time shopping. It takes almost an entire day just to walk through all the aisles of the dealer hall and artist’s alley – and even then you’re bound to miss something so you’ve gotta do it twice. I spent most of my money on clothes and did some haggling at Nominoichi (the flea market) to get a good deal on more accessories. Sunday is the best time to buy stuff because everyone is eager to get rid of their wares so they don’t have to cart it all back home. I even found a bunch of beautiful bookmarks on the floor because someone was in a rush to leave. Finders keepers…
Nicest Nerds Ever
Thanks for the magic tricks!
I didn’t meet one rude person there. While waiting in line, a Monokuma cosplayer challenged my boyfriend (cosplaying as Professor Layton) to a puzzle battle. Then he amused us with magic tricks, making the wait go much, much faster. It was great! I also got to meet up with @KrizCuenco @hacaplus and @monoids for sushi. Unfortunately, they lost our order and 3/4 of us didn’t get our food until an hour later…and it was all for only a few measly pieces of sushi too. Aside from that, it was a fun meet-up! Thanks guys!
The Weird Stuff Anime North Always Has For Some Reason
They were actually really tasty!
Honestly, I can’t tell if this is exclusive to Anime North or if all conventions showcase hardcore wrestling in the same place giant posters of Pikachu are being sold. If your local con doesn’t have these things, please let me know so I can stop taking them for granted. We have: live reptile handling, wrestling, aerial acrobatic displays (this year with Sword Art Online cosplayers), cosplaying ferrets owned by a vendor, and a whole afterdark special of 18+ extremely smutty panels to attend. So…is this standard anime con fare? I need to visit more cons to compare!
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Cosplay
I wanted to go to much more photoshoots, but ahhhh I ran out of time! Here’s what I did manage to catch. You can see the full album on Metanorn’s Facebook page soon! Here are a few select photos of the bunch. Thanks to my part-time photographer and full-time boyfriend for helping me take photos!
They were just riding around on bikes all day to get around. Smart!
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About Overcooled
A neuroscience graduate, black belt, and all-around nerd. You'll either find me in my lab or curled up in my rilakkuma kigurumi watching anime.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
I’m quite happy to see the communities embrace con-culture. That is a recent development. Gen-Con was held in Milwaukee, WS for 18 years, not that the natives noticed all that much. Indianapolis, by contrast, is very active in welcoming con-goers, with local hotels and restaurants “playing along” with the new clientele.
It really makes me wish I had the patience for them still. It’s not the people, it’s the numbers, as I’ve grown a bit more claustrophobic as I’ve gotten older. But, when you cover a con as well as you have, the viritual experience in very nice. Thanks!
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
It’s nice to feel welcomed! Otherwise I almost feel bad going out to eat. I know it’s really hard for staff in hotels and restaurants to keep up with the crazy demands of suddenly having 15,000 extra people there.
Ah, it’s hard to find a small anime convention so lots of people will probably always be part of the con experience. I’m glad I could show you the highlights though!
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
A fact that should be considered normal over something that has endured more than 2 decades. Nice coverage on your 5th run, OC. I see you’re still attached to your Rin Tohsaka outfit. For a supposed fan, I rarely see you commenting about Fate/Stay Night. A little odd.
Wow, that sounds like going through a dense, moving jungle. 😛
Cosplayers were mentioned but I guess I shouldn’t get my hopes up for anyone dressing up like Krul Tepes or wearing a Japanese Imperial Demon Army uniform, right? Hahaha! Wishful thinking.
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
Yep, I reused the Rin outfit for Friday and then switched to Yuno for Saturday and Sunday. I’m actually really not keen on this season of Fate/Stay Night so no comments from me.
I saw one Yuu cosplayer, actually! But I didn’t take a photo because he was busy buying stuff lol
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
As if you weren’t sadistic enough already! 😛
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
Gotta keep up my reputation!
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
And you’re doing so effortlessly.
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
One of these days I’ll check out a con… one of these days.
From what I can see (on the net), the best costumes were LoL, and there were lots of those, it seems. But wow, the LoL costumes were very detailed, plus weapons and accessories were very, very well-made and detailed. Very impressed!
I think my favorite anime cosplay I saw was one of Kakashi in a grey suit sitting on a chair, reading a book. Looked pretty authentic!
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
Even if you just go for one day, I really suggest trying it. At the very least, you get to buy some nice stuff that you won’t find anywhere else.
There were tons of LoL costumes. I think a good 1/3 of the Masquerade entries were from LoL and everywhere I went I saw cosplayers. I’m not familiar with the game, but I knew whenever I saw a really extravagant costume that’s where it was from.
I didn’t catch that one, but it sounds good!
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Where is Luvia? >_>
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Whatever you do, do not try to skimp on things.
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
When putting together a cosplay or going to cons?
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
I’ve also wanted to try cosplaying. The closest I’ve been would be dressing up for Halloween.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Hey, akagami. What’s with the recent change in avatar, hmmm? 😉
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
It’s your imagination BB, you’re starting to hallucinate.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
It would have to be something pretty potent for me to hallucinate. 😉
PS: At least 3 more comment and you’ll gain another rank on the top 20. Plus, you’ll have overtaken Dan-go, the previous top commentator!
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
Oh really? Now I have to make sure I don’t just tip-toe over the line. Like maybe do a massive post session. Hmmmmm~~~ That’ll be hard for me.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Why hesitate when it’s right there for the picking? 😛
Me? I’m 120 comments away from the biggest milestone I can ever get.
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
20k next? Or 25k?
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Hahaha!! I would need another 4+ years to reach 20k comments.
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
Maybe it’s an experience thing?
“You have leveled up!”
“You are now 100x faster!”
“You have earned the title God Poster”
You only need to make 27.4 posts a day to hit 20k in a year. That’s not too bad. ish.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Ah, if only it were that easy.
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
UPDATE: the photos are all on Metanorn’s fanpage now! Check it out!
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
As soon as I can!