Anime fans – many brightly and elaborately dressed as their favourite characters – come out to play at Otakuthon at the Palais des congrès de Montréal, August 5 to 7. The second-biggest convention of its kind in Canada, Otakuthon celebrates the storytelling and artistry of classic and brand-new Japanese anime, manga and games.
Similar to July’s Montréal Comiccon, Otakuthon’s 11th edition features an exhibition space full of colourful merchandise and artwork, a roster of talent ready to meet fans, and a series of panels and workshops by artists and other experts. Yet Otakuthon’s abundance of upbeat energy really comes from the fans: thousands arrive in costumes far more detailed than you’ll see at any Halloween party.
Known as cosplay (costume + playing), it’s an essential part of the weekend – a way to try on anime life, make new friends, participate in activities and show off all the work that goes into making a costume. See the best costumes all in one place on stage at the evening Masquerade event on August 6 and during the World Cosplay Summit competition on August 7
Along with all the incredible costumes, based on everything from mainstream Sailor Moon to much lesser-known anime, Otakuthon adds live performances: this year see Japanese hybrid rock band BACK-ON, Montreal’s Arashi Daiko taiko drumming group, J-Pop and K-Pop performance group East2West, bands Ties & Ribbons and Tortuga, and improv comedy troupe The 404s.
Dive deeper into the wide world of anime at workshops and panels populated by artists, actors, writers, academics and fans. Guests this year include prolific anime, film and games voice actors Atsuko Tanaka (Ghost in the Shell), Karen Strassman, Eric Stuart, Sam Vincent and Chris Cason, as well as manga artists Takeshi Obata (Death Note, Bakuman), Arina Tanemura (Neko to Watashi no Kinyoubi), anime producers Masanori Miyake and Takamitsu Inoue and more guests. Throughout the weekend, watch all kinds of anime in the video rooms and play video games and board games in a festive, enthusiastic atmosphere.
For pure, rollicking spectacle, don’t miss Cosplay Chess (where cosplayers are the chess pieces), singing contest Otakuthon Idol, Cosplay RPG Battle, a fashion show, a live Anime Mystery Dating Game, the Otakuthon AMV (anime music video) Contest Screening, voice acting session Are You a Seiyuu?, The Kapuru Game Show, The Pokémon Challenge and other performative skill-testing contests meant namely to keep everyone laughing. Speaking of Pokémon, the first ever Canadian Pokéthon happens this year, celebrating Pokémon’s 20th anniversary. Otakudance parties on Friday and Saturday night fill the dance floor with dancers and cosplayers doing what they do best. Even the Otakuthon food stays on theme: choose from a Japanese menu and an variety of bubble tea at the Cosplay Café restaurant and terrace – where, naturally, you can sing karaoke too.
Otakuthon 2015, at the Palais des Congrès de Montréal.
Up next: 10 Pokémon GO activities to discover Montréal with the family
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