Many otakus flock to Toronto, Canada each spring to take part in Anime North, a convention that caters to many different subcultures including steampunk, gaming, and of course anime.
Anime North is the largest and most prestigious fan-run anime convention in all of Canada, and possibly all of North America as well. Normally held in May, the 2011 Anime North convention will be held on the weekend of May 27-29. Hotel information for the 2011 convention will be available soon and official pre-registration will open for convention attendees in early January 2011.
Anime North has plenty of attractions for anyone who enjoys Anime, Steampunk, and other geek subcultures: lots of Anime viewing rooms; a dealer’s room filled with videos, comics, games, and other merchandise; an incredible and impressive variety of cosplayers, including regular costume contests and genre fashion shows (such as Steampunk and Geisha fashion); and a wide variety of guests of honor ranging from famous RPG authors to Japanese professional wrestlers.
Canadian fans of popular anime like Naruto Shippenden, Pokémon and Digimon, Full Metal Alchemist, and Yu-Gi-Oh! they can find and connect with other fans of their favorite anime, as well as purchase merchandise and licensed products that are otherwise difficult to find in person.
Unlike many fandom conventions around the world, Anime North is not for profit, but run by fans to provide a valuable and fun service to Canadians (and international convention attendees) who want a fun convention tailored specifically to your wants and needs. Convention staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure the best experience for everyone involved.
Registration fees for the 2011 convention are CDN$55 for a weekend pass, CDN$35 for a Friday pass, CDN$40 for a Saturday pass and CDN$35 for a Sunday pass.