Con Overview

Anime North will be held on May 22-24 at the Toronto Congress center (650 Dixon Road), Doubletree International Plaza Hotel (655 Dixon Road) and Renaissance Airport Hotel (801 Dixon Road).

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.

We have a very full programming schedule at Anime North this year, and here is an overview of major events and other items that our attendees should know about. Whether you’re a first-time con-goer or an old (comparatively) hand, please take a look at the following.

Convention Registration

Major Events

Masquerade and Skit Contest Attendance Information

Other Items of Interest

Convention Registration

Advance registration for Anime North has closed, so to attend you must now purchase a membership at the door.

The Registration Desk will be located at the Toronto Congress Center just inside the main entrance doors of Hall F (Please note this change from previous years!). Registration hours will be:

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

Full information on our location can be found here.

Single day and weekend admissions can be purchased at the Registration Desk. Cash only will be accepted; no cheques, credit cards or debit cards. Weekend admissions cover all three days of the convention; single day admissions are valid only for each day.

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 guardian18 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 guardian18 years or over, or a guardian 16 years or over with a letter of permission from the child’s parents.

Major Events

Following is an overview of the major events going on this year at Anime North 2009.  All attendees are highly encouraged to read your Program Book and Pocket Program (which you will receive when you register) which will have 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 PM – 11 PM
                                    Registration: 1 PM – 9 PM
                                    Comic Market (formally Artist Alley): 5 PM – 10 PM
                                    Dealer's Room: 5 PM – 10 PM
                                    J-Rave Dance: 10 PM – 2 AM

            Saturday – Building Open Generally from 10 AM – 11 PM
                                    Registration: 9 AM – 8 PM
                                    Comic Market (formally Artist Alley): 10 AM – 10 PM
                                    Dealer's Room: 10 AM – 8 PM     
                                    J-Pop Dance: 9 PM – 2 AM

            Sunday – Building Open Generally from 10 AM – 5 PM
                                    Registration: 10 AM – 4 PM
                                    Comic Market (formally Artist Alley): 10 AM – 5 PM
                                    Dealer's Room: 10 AM – 5 PM      

Major events at the TCC are:

• Dealer’s Room: 250 tables of anime, manga, and much more, all for sale and waiting for you. Open all weekend.
• Comic Market and Art Show: Approx. 200 amateur artists display their work and wow you with their talent. Open all weekend.
• Anime Themed Wrestling: In association with Great Canadian Wrestling Expo (www.GCWE.com) and Wyldstar Comics, Saturday will rumble with Shark Boy, Awesome Kong, Lufisto, our special Japanese Guest Wrestler Akira Raijin! Plus Death Note's “L”, Street Fighter, DC superheroes, Battle Royale and more!
• J-Pop and J-Rave Dances: Dance Friday and Saturday nights away from 9 PM – 2 AM with our non-stop Dance Parties.
• Japanese Cultural Festival: Saturday Afternoon will feature Japanese Dancers (the Bukkyo-Kai Buyo Troupe), Taiko Drummers (Nagata Shachu), and Douglas Tong, a Japanese Sword Master!
• Autographs: Come and get a memento of our Guests of Honor. Autograph times will be listed in the Pocket Program.
• Cosplay Chess: Our anime-themed, live-action, chess battles.
• Mechayard Wars: Build your own model from our junk pile Sunday afternoon.

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.

• Opening Ceremonies: Come by the Plaza Ballroom at 5 PM Friday and kick off the con!
• Panel Discussions: Attend one of dozens of discussion on earth-shattering topics (such as “Who’s the cutest girl in anime?”).
• Guest of Honor Events: Q&As with our Guests, and our Momiji Award Brunch with the Guests (at the Mississauga Ballroom, Saturday, 10:00 AM). This is a ticketed event and is Sold Out.
• Our Quarte Koe (Four Voices) Guest of Honor Concert will be Saturday afternoon in the Plaza Ballroom. Please see the Attendance Notes below.
• Masquerade: One of the convention highlights, our Saturday evening costume pageant extraordinaire! See Attendance notes below.
• Skit Contest: See our attendees act, dance, and try to sing (with varying results). Friday night at the Plaza Ballroom.
• Comedy Improve with the 404s: The hilarious 404s are back for another year, with the added bonus of their West Coast Troupe here for the first time!
• Anime Music Videos: See the results of this year’s Music Video Contest.
• Videos: Sit in a dark with 300 of your friends for old stuff, brand new stuff, and just plain weird stuff.
• Con Suite: Take a load off and relax for a while.
• Go: Play the ancient Japanese strategy game. Beginners welcome!
• Moonlight Ball: Our formal costume ball, Friday in the Plaza Ballroom, 10 PM – 2 AM. PLEASE NOTE that this is a ticketed event and is now sold out.
• Cafe Nocturne and Café De*Lish: Have some tea with the Bishounen and Shojo staffers. Presented by Yaoi North and AN Cosplay department.
  

Masquerade and Quatre Koei (Four Voices) Guest of Honor Concert Attendance Information

In order to attend the Masquerade, or Guest of Honor Concert it is required that attendees obtain wristbands in order to be guaranteed entrance to these events.

While these events are free, this procedure is necessary to ensure that we do not exceed the capacity of the rooms used, and to spare the attendee from possibly lining-up in advance for any of these events and not gaining entry due to the demand.

Please note the following:

We cannot guarantee you entry to any of these events prior to the con itself, even if you have pre-registered. You must pick up a wristband at the con.

To attend any of these events, please go to the Masquerade office (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.

Renaissance Hotel

Events at the Renaissance 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.

• Yaoi North: Panels and video devoted to Yaoi fandom. 18+ event. (Visit the Yaoi North site at http://www.yaoinorth.com)
• Nominoichi Flea Market: One stop shopping of used anime and manga merchandise. You have no idea what you’ll find or how cheap it’ll be! Friday evening.
• Manga Library: Sit down for a bit and read one of the hundreds of volumes available.
• Video and RPG Gaming: Try your hand (feet) at Dance Dance Revolution among other video games, and multiple RPG and CCG tournaments. Running all weekend.
• Workshops: Participate in costuming, manga drawing, a Japanese cooking demonstration, and more!
• Doll North: A meet-up of panels and events for BJD, Pullip, Blythe and other doll collectors.
•  J-Rock and J-HipHop: Panels, contests, and event!
• Anime Game Shows: Check out Anime Name that Tune, Anime Jeopardy, and Anime Family Feud!
  
  

Other Items of Interest

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

If you are a costumer with any sort of large prop or weapon (facsimile or otherwise) you must first read our Weapons and 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, Renaissance hotel, and Toronto Congress Center at approximately 20-30 minutes intervals between the following times:

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

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 Special Ops (security) personnel or an Anime North staff member. Both will be identifiable by distinctive badges (and likely t-shirts).