Anime North 2022 Returns to Toronto After 3 Years In Full Force [UPDATED]

The famous Toronto fan-run anime convention, Anime North, returns this weekend with classic, enjoyable attractions and cosplay to enjoy.

Anime North holds a dear place in my tiny heart since it was the very first convention I had ever attended, and it was the closest Con to where I live (literally in my backyard). Before the pandemic, the con ran on May 24-26, 2019. But after three years of pent-up otaku love and restrictions lessening, Anime North is back in full-effect—in a safe and healthy way today. This will also be an awesome opportunity to catch up with your favourite anime voice actors and talent, from hit shows such as My Hero Academia, RWBY and many more.

The event this year will run on July 15-17 at the Toronto Congress Center (650 Dixon Road), Delta Airport Hotel (655 Dixon Road) and Sheraton Airport Hotel (901 Dixon Road). Many of the classic events have returned to the North Building of Congress—from the stunning opening ceremonies to the majestic Saturday night Masquerade Ball. The South Building will see the return of the Vendor’s Hall for all the anime shopping for your otaku needs, featuring over 400 various booths of anime goodies to buy—time to find that missing copy of Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 0.

To ensure a COVID-friendly con, the Anime North 2022 staff have already detailed to attendees that they must provide proof of being “fully vaccinated” (received two doses, for most vaccines) and must strictly wear “a disposable medical mask or respirator which covers the mouth, nose, and chin” in indoor areas. The policy page further detailed how medical masks take precedent over cosplay masks and the staff has the right to judge whether a mask is deemed acceptable. Of course, children under 6 years of age are exempt but encouraged to wear a mask if they can.

Events at the convention will run on the following days and times:

• Friday: 5 PM – 1 AM
• Saturday: 10 AM – 1 AM
• Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM

Saturday sales have already been announced to be capped since the venue could only hold so much, and to prevent crowding on that specific day. Friday-only, Sunday-only and weekend admissions have not been capped as yet. In the most recent Anime North events, attendance numbers have been over 10,000 visitors! That is 10 times more than the number of chapters Sensei Oda has put out for the One Piece manga.

Some amazing voice acting talent gracing Anime North this year includes Kara Eberle and Arryn Zech for their titular characters in RWBY; the extremely talented Richard Epcar (Bleach, Pokémon Generations); and Aaron Dismuke, Caitlin Glass and Morgan Lauré for their work on My Hero Academia. An exhaustive list of VTubers will be attending this year such as Ironmouse, Nemurenai Kai and so much more.

This is also the perfect opportunity to either participate or see some of the best anime cosplays Toronto locals and beyond have in-store. Personally, I am excited to see some great cosplay on some newer, popular anime shows like Spy x Family or Kaguya-sama: Love is War. CGMagazine will be updating pictures and breaking news from Anime North this weekend as the event days progress. Come on down to celebrate one of the city’s biggest anime-centric cons!

UPDATE 07/17/2022 8:20 AM ET:

As the scorching sun and heat beat down on the hundreds, if not, thousands of anime fans in intestinal-shaped lines, Anime North was truly a spectacle to witness with its massive returning attendance. However, the weather could not stop the thousands of fans from celebrating what they love best.

In a surprising moment, CGMagazine was able to track down the world famous cosplayer and content creator on Tik Tok, Amvkween herself, along with her entourage group. She was able to share that her experiences on Friday was “really amazing” and was looking forward to what was to come on Saturday and Sunday.

She noted, “So we’re going to the [Masquerade Ball] for the first time, which is like the cosplay showcase. I’m actually excited for that, to see the really good, handcrafted, cosplays that are going to be entered into competitions. Those would be really cool to see. And also sometimes people do a little bit of an acting performance with that, which is really fun.”

She also mentioned how it was a great feeling for anime fans to be returning to a safe space to showcase their hard work, especially with the break from the pandemic. She discussed how having fan reactions and excitement was the main “energy” she missed because that could not be done during the pandemic.

While talking to many other con attendees, she agreed all the Genshin Impact cosplays “slayed” since the designs were amazing. The appreciation of Genshin Impact and its fandom has not been able to celebrate the game as it launched during the pandemic in 2020. Many other fandoms have not been able to display their love for different media hits such as Spy x Family and the League of Legends TV series, Arcane.

While quickly chatting with various cosplayers, vendors, local photographers and casual con attendees, the general consensus was that it was great for Anime North to be back!

The Best Cosplay from Anime North 2022:

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