Calgary’s Otafest anime convention returns for May long weekend
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Posted May 8, 2022 9:57 am.
Otafest makes its return after being on hiatus for the last couple of years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Anime fans will reunite at the fan-favourite pop culture Otafest 2022, a two-day event at the Telus Convention Centre.
This year the convention is celebrating its 24th year.
Otafest began in 1999 as part of the University of Calgary’s Otaku Anime Club, which held a screening to showcase Japanese animation to the public.
Since then, organizers say Otafest has grown into one of the largest pop culture festivals in Calgary.
It’s become known as a space where anime lovers can show off cosplay costumes, videos, or paintings.
This year’s exhibition will feature 150 different artists and 100 different live events and panels taking place throughout the May long weekend, says chairperson Jenny Chan. There will be concerts, competitions, anime TV show streamings, and even a pop-up ramen bar.
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It’s the first time the event will be back in person after nearly two years. Last year’s event was adjusted into a livestream event that included voice actor guests flown from Los Angeles. The year before, the event was outright cancelled at the last minute due to COVID-19.
As for how the organizers are going to adapt to this year’s event, Chan says: “It’s kind of really keeping a pulse on the evolving state of COVID regulations.”
Chan says they have ensured COVID-19 safety regulations are adhered to. Although masks are not mandatory, they are highly encouraged. Volunteers will be walking around handing them out for those who hope to wear one, and there will be hand sanitizer stations set up throughout the venue.
One of the goals of Otafest is to allow for more diverse perspectives and inclusive representation, says Chan.
“I was born and raised here and I didn’t see very much representation of people who look like me on television growing up here, or even Eastern culture very much,” she said.
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In the late 1990s certain pop culture trends like Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball Z or Pokemon started to gain momentum with audiences. From there, appreciation for anime grew, says Chan. This led to the beginning of Calgary’s Otaku Anime Club, and eventually the non-profit organization of Otafest itself.
“But the number one thing that everyone says when they come down is they’re just amazed by all the costumes, and it really becomes an almost an exercise in people watching,” said Chan.
Chan says that in 2019, out of the 9,000 attendees, at least half of them were cosplay fans.
“The amount of engagement that our audience, our community has, to me is very humbling,” said Chan
Chan also adds the festival itself is about being an active participant and playing a role in the celebration and art of anime.
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“People generally don’t come to Otafest to consume so much as come to Otafest to be a part of it here,” she said.
“So if it’s your first time and you’re not seeing anything, I think you’ll have a lot of fun seeing all the costumes. And if you want to take a picture with a cosplayer, remember you have to ask permission first, but people are generally quite friendly when you ask them for that.”
Otafest runs from May 21-22 with admission for a single ticket at $40 or $55 for a weekend pass.