Anime North Runs May 25th-27th, 2007
Canadian anime fans regard this convention as the highlight of the year. Billed as ‘Canada’s premier fan-run anime convention’, Anime North brings all things anime to Canada’s largest city. Anime producers, voice actors and artists will give talks and make presentations; this year’s guest of honour is Matt Greenfield, co-founder and senior vice-president of ADV films, the largest distributor of anime in North America. Of course, there will be hundreds of licensed anime dealers selling everything from DVDs, wallscrolls, and model kits to cosplay accessories and costumes. There is an Art Room for amateur artists to display their work, an Art Show featuring installations with Japanese themes and Writer’s Alley, where fanfiction writers can meet with others of their ilk, as well as their audience. One of Anime North's unique events is the Nominoichi , a Japanese Flea Market. Held Friday evening, the Nominoichi allows anime enthusiasts who are not commercial dealers to sell whatever anime paraphernalia they have collected (not including bootlegs, fansubs or cosplay weapons with metal blades, which are strictly prohibited by the convention). Anime North is held at the Toronto Congress Center and Doubletree International Plaza Hotel, near the Pearson International Airport. Admission for either Friday or Sunday is $30, for Saturday, $35, or a weekend pass (giving you full access for all three days) is available for $50. Be prepared for crowds of people in outlandish costumes, and ridiculous line-ups for certain events and vendors. This is not an event for people indifferent to or ignorant of anime—it’s a convention for devoted anime fans, and as such, has its own quirks, similar to Star Trek and other SF conventions.
What: Anime North 2007
When: Friday May 25th to Sunday May 27th
Location: Toronto Congress Center, 450 Dixon Rd., and the Doubletree International Plaza Hotel 655 Dixon Rd. (across the street)
Website: www.animenorth.com
