Con Overview

Anime North 2013 will be held on May 24-26 at the Toronto Congress Center (650 Dixon Road), Doubletree International Plaza Hotel (655 Dixon Road) and Sheraton Airport Hotel (801 Dixon Road). Some additional events will be held at other locations, as detailed below.

This document contains information of interest to both first-time and long-time attendees of Anime North, and reviewing it before the convention would be appreciated.

Convention Registration

Weekend admissions for Anime North are now SOLD OUT, and will NOT be available for sale at the door. Some single-day admissions are still available.

If you have pre-registered for the convention, bring your registration e-mail with you to the Registration Desk. If you have lost/misplaced this email, you can bring photo ID instead, in the name that the admission was purchased under.

The Registration Desk will be located at the Toronto Congress Center just inside the main entrance doors of Hall F. Registration hours will be:

Friday: 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Single day admissions can be purchased at the Registration Desk. Cash only will be accepted; no cheques, credit cards or debit cards.

Child Registration

Children between 6 and 13 years of age are admitted for half-price of the corresponding adult admission, but must be accompanied either by a guardian 18 years or over, or a guardian 16 years or over with a letter of permission from the child’s parents.

Children 6 and under are admitted free, but must be accompanied by a guardian 18 years or over, or a guardian 16 years or over with a letter of permission from the child’s parents.

Note that your membership badge (which you will receive at registration), will give you access to all convention events in all buildings, with the exception of food functions (cafes, Moonlight Ball, Saturday Brunch, which have additional costs) and the Masquerade, which requires a wristband to attend (see below).

Your membership badge must be displayed at all times. There will be a $20 Replacement Fee for any lost convention badges. If you lose (or find) a badge, go to the Info Desks at the Toronto Congress Center, located just to the right of the Hall F entrance.

Public Transit and Parking

To reach the convention via the TCC, take the Malton 58 bus west from Lawrence West Subway Station, getting off at the City View Drive stop, or take the Martin Grove 46 bus north from Kipling subway station, getting off at Dixon Road, and walking west for 3-4 minutes to the Toronto Congress Center.

If you are driving, there is free parking at the Toronto Congress Center. Please note however that there is no overnight security at the TCC, and leaving your vehicle there overnight is not permitted. The hotels will charge $12-$14 a day for parking.

Major Events

Please see our Programming page for a description of our major events, plus our Schedule will be available to download before the convention.

Following is an overview of the major events going on this year at Anime North 2013.  All attendees are highly encouraged to read your Program Book and Pocket Program (which you will receive when you register) for more details and any last minute changes.

Toronto Congress Center

Events at the TCC will run at the following hours:

Friday – Building Open Generally from 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Registration: 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Comic Market, Crafters Corner, Photo Alley: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Gallery Momiji: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Dealer's Room: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Nominochi (Flea Market): 7:00 – 10:30 PM
J-Rave Dance: 8:00 PM – 1:00 AM

Saturday – Building Open Generally from 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Registration: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Comic Market, Crafters Corner, Photo Alley: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Gallery Momiji: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Dealer's Room: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
J-Pop Dance: 8:30 PM – 1:00 AM

Sunday – Building Open Generally from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Registration: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Comic Market, Crafters Corner, Photo Alley: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Gallery Momiji: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Dealer's Room: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM      

Major events at the TCC are:

1. Dealer’s Room: 300 tables of anime, manga, and much more, all for sale and waiting for you. Open all weekend.
2. Comic Market and Crafter’s Corner: Approx. 250 amateur artists display their work and wow you with their talent. Open all weekend.
3. Pro Plaza: Come and see our artist guests.
4. Gallery Momiji: Displaying professional and amateur artwork alongside special guest displays, with pieces for sale at auction and prints for sale in the Gallery Store. Open all weekend in Hall D.
5. Photo Alley: Amateur and professional photographers take your picture.
6. Anime Themed Wrestling: In association with Great Canadian Wrestling Expo (www.GCWE.com) and Wyldstar Comics. Friday at 6 PM and Saturday at noon in Hall G.
7. J-Pop and J-Rave Dances: Dance Friday and Saturday nights away from 8 PM – 2 AM with our non-stop Dance Parties.
8. Concerts: Our Japanese Musical guests (AWOI, Hoshi Furu, and Umbrella) perform in Hall C on Friday and Saturday evenig. Please note, Hall C is only accessible from the doors on the east side of the TCC, not from the rest of the convention (see the TCC map in the Pocket Program). 
9. Autographs: Come and get a memento of our Guests of Honor. Autograph times will be listed in the Pocket Program.
10. Nominochi: A Flea Market of used anime, manga, and assorted merchandise. Friday in Hall F from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM.
11. Cosplay Chess: Our anime-themed, live-action, chess battles.
12. Charity Auction: Our Guests of Honor will help raise money for Sick Kids Hospital with an auction of anime merchandise. Sunday, noon in Hall G.
13. Mechayard Wars: Build your own model from our junk pile Sunday afternoon.
14. Otakubaloo: Music and dancing on an outdoor stage. West side of TCC.
15. Nagata Shachu: Japanese Taiko Drumming performance. Outdoor stage on west side of TCC, Saturday 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM.
16. Toy and Model Display: In Hall F.
17. Tabletop Gaming, GO, and Gaming Demos: At the Gaming tables in halls F & G. See the pocket program for the complete schedule.
18. Comedy Improv with the 404s: The skit comedy troupe will perform in Hall G for two Saturday evening shows, one for the family and one for adults.
19. Aerial Performer - Aerial hoop artist Miranda Tempest will perform for your amazement, in Hall D on Saturday and Sunday.

Please note that Hall C, where our concert events will take place, must be accessed by the doors on the east side of the TCC (please see maps in your pocket program). Hall C cannot be accessed from the rest of the convention Halls. 

Doubletree International Plaza Hotel

Events at the Doubletree begin at 5 PM on Friday, and 10 AM on Saturday and Sunday. The con closes at 5 PM Sunday. Your Pocket Program will list exact times for events.

1. Opening Ceremonies: Come by the Plaza Ballroom at 4 PM Friday and kick off the con! Performance by Nagata Shachu. 
2. Panel Discussions: Attend one of dozens of discussion on earth-shattering topics (such as “Who’s the cutest girl in anime?”).
3. Masquerade: One of the convention highlights, our Saturday evening costume pageant extraordinaire! See Attendance notes below.
4. Skit Contest: See our attendees act, dance, and try to sing (with varying results). Friday night at the Plaza Ballroom.
5. Ryo Horikawa, Chii Sakurabi Concert: Our Japanese guests will perform on the Plaza Ballroom on Saturday afternoon.
6. Comedy Improv with the 404s: The hilarious 404s are back for another year, and will perform on Friday and Saturday afternoons.
7. Game Shows: A roster of interactive events such as Anime Jeopardy for fans to get involved in.
8. Anime Music Video Awards: See the results of this year’s Music Video Contest.
9. Videos: Sit in a dark with 300 of your friends for old stuff, brand new stuff, and just plain weird stuff.
10. Café De*Lish: Our own Maid Café. Terrance Room on Saturday 12 PM – 7 PM. Note that there is additional admission to this event.
11. Lolita Tea Party: Another café event on Saturday afternoon in the Orchid Café.

Masquerade Attendance Information

In order to attend the Masquerade, it is required that attendees obtain a wristband in order to be guaranteed entrance.

While this event is free, this procedure is necessary to ensure that we do not exceed the capacity of the Plaza Ballroom used, and to spare the attendees from possibly lining-up in advance and not gaining entry due to the demand.

Please note that we cannot guarantee your entry to this event prior to the con itself, even if you have pre-registered. You must pick up a wristband at the con.

To attend this event, please go to the Masquerade Desk (South Lobby Coat check, in the Doubletree Hotel) to obtain a wristband (see your Pocket Program for the location and times).

Finally, note that a set number of wristbands and tickets will be handed out at each time slot, to ensure that some are available on each day.

Sheraton Hotel

Events at the Sheraton begin at 5 PM on Friday, and 10 AM on Saturday and Sunday. The con closes at 5 PM Sunday. Your Pocket Program will list exact times and locations for events.

1. Yaoi North: Panels and video devoted to Yaoi fandom. 18+ event.
2. Manga Library: Sit down for a bit and read one of the hundreds of volumes available.
3. Video Gaming, Retro Arcade, and LAN Party: More computers, new and old, than you can handle. Includes DDR, running all weekend.
4. LARP: Hit each other with foam swords!
5. AMV Room: Watch anime music videos all weekend.
6. Workshops: We’ll have workshops on drawing, cooking, mock martial arts, and more! See Pocket Program for schedule.

Crowne Plaza Hotel (33 Carlson Court)

Doll North, a meet-up of panels and events for BJD, Pullip, Blythe, and other doll collectors, will be running at the Crowne Plaza Hotel (across Dixon from the Sheraton) in the Algonquin Ballroom on the lower level. Events will run all weekend.

Radisson Suites Hotel (640 Dixon Road Court)

There will be additional cafes this year at the Radisson Suites Hotel, just east of the TCC behind the Tim Horton’s and Swiss Chalet.

The cafes will be held in the Radisson Room on the 2^nd floor. There will be additional fees for these events.

1. Café Nocturne: Our Butler Café returns. Saturday 6 PM – 11:30 PM, Sunday 12 PM - 2:30PM
2. Club XIII: Our Host Club Café. Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM

Marriott Hotel (Moonlight Ball)

The Marriott Hotel (901 Dixon Road) will host our Moonlight Ball on Friday night. This is a formal costume dance.

There will be a limited number of tickets to the Moonlight Ball available for purchase at Anime North, at the Thursday night pre-registration pick-up at the Doubletree Hotel and near the Info Tables at the TCC on Friday from 1 PM - 5 PM. They will then be available at the door of the dance beginning at 7:30 PM.

The Moonlight Ball will be held at the Marriott Airport Hotel (901 Dixon Rd.), starting at 9 PM on Friday, May 24th. There will be shuttle buses running from 7:30 PM to 2 AM from the Doubletree - Sheraton - Marriott

Tickets are $40 per person, which includes admission, group instructional dancing, demonstrations, buffet, games, dancing, costume contest, prizes and more!

Please note: dress code in effect. See the Moonlight Ball page on the Anime North website for full details

Other Items of Interest

If you are a parent with any questions about Anime North please read our Parents FAQ.

If you are a costumer with any sort of large prop or weapon (facsimile or otherwise) you must first read our Weapons and Large Props Policy and check-in with our Weapons Master when you arrive at the con. The Weapons Master will be located in the Toronto Congress Center behind the Registration Tables.

A Shuttle Bus (school bus) for use by the attendees will be circling between the Doubletree Hotel, Sheraton Hotel, and Toronto Congress Center at approximately 20-30 minute intervals between the following times:

Fri:  6 PM to 11 PM
Sat: 10 AM to 11 PM (2 buses will be in operation)
Sun:  10 AM to 5 PM

The bus will stop in front of each hotel, and under the water tower at the TCC near the Hall F entrance. 

If you have any mobility issues or needs, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or check-in at any of the Information/Access Desks at the convention. 

If you require aid at the convention, please ask one of our Operation Services (security) personnel or an Anime North staff member. Both will be identifiable by distinctive badges and armbands (for OS staff).