Special EventsMajor Events
Opening Ceremonies
It’s otafest’s 10th Birthday! Come join us as we wish our mascot a special 10th birthday, and kick off this year’s celebrations in style, looking back at all our happiest and fondest memories!
Cosplay
Come watch the fruit of hundreds of dollars and hours of labour, where fans pay homage to their favourite characters through costume and skits, song and dance! Undoubtedly the most colourful and popular event at Otafest!
Click here for more information.
AMV Contest
The third annual Otafest anime music video competition, and fast becoming one of the most popular events at Otafest! Creators select scenes from various anime shows, set them to awesome music, and edit and splice until a beautiful music video is born.
Click here for more information.
Otafest idol
It’s baaack! And this time, with actually functioning speakers and mikes! We’ve upped the ante for this year’s Otafest Idol contest! Come listen to your favourite anime and J-pop songs performed live, by some of the country’s most talented undiscovered singers! Cheer for your favourite performer, and help them rack up the points for the coveted title of the 2008 Otafest Idol!
Click here for the rules.
Anime Chess
Quickly becoming one of the most popular events at North American cons everywhere, in Anime Chess, 32 cosplayers representing life-sized chess pieces cut each other down (administrative edit: not literally! Oh god, not literally!!) for the glory of King and Player! A great spectator and participation event!
Due to the popularity of this event, if you’d like to participate as a chess piece, please contact the organizer of this event directly! Send an email to Jon Wheeler at
cosplaybattlechess@gmail.com. Please include in your email the following:
Name:
Email address:
Character you are cosplaying as:
Position you would like to play:
Please note that due to the popularity of this event, you may not get the position you would like to play; the event organizers reserve the right to select the participants.
Gothic Lolita Fashion Show
Otafest is proud to present the Gothic Lolita Fashion Show as hosted by Inspired Cat Ling Mao! Come take a look at the trend that’s all the rage – where cute and gorgeous-melancholy collide! Check out the fabulous fashions! The beautiful bustier, the pretty petty coats!
Anime Improv
You know them, you love them! They’ve brought their show to cons all across the country and now they’re back once more! The 404s return to Otafest to perform their unique brand of anime themed improvisation! A fan favourite!
Awards Ceremonies
With so many competitions and contests being held at Otafest this year, who’s going to be able to keep track of all the winners and their accomplishments? You are! Come to the awards ceremony, where all the winners to all the contests will be announced and prizes are given – who knows, it might be your name coming out of those speakers!
Demonstrations
Taiko
Otafest is proud to present Midnight Taiko! The great Japanese drums will be pounding their signature brand of musical magic at Otafest. Come listen to these powerful Japanese drums as they weave you into their enchanting spell! Just follow the sound of the rhythmic rolling thunder – you can’t miss it!
Taiko means ‘great drum’ in Japanese, and today is a musical art form performed by hundreds of thousands.
Iaido
Iaido is the art of Japanese sword practice done with a live blade. Dave Rathnow has practiced the art for 12 years, and has given regular demonstration and talk on Iaido at the Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens in Lethbridge. Be sure to check out his demonstration and mini-lecture on this exquisite art!
Panels
Japanese 101
Love anime? Wish you could watch it without the subtitles? This course will help you with that first step! An introduction to the basics of the Japanese language, both written and oral.
Cosplay - Rules, Regs, Robots and Rascals
Recommended for cosplayers – this is the panel as hosted by our beloved Cosplay Director, explaining the deep, dark, and wildly mysterious inner working of Cosplay, Otafest’s prime event! Come with the questions you’ve always wanted to ask, and listen to the wisdom run forth!
Origami Extravaganza
In the mystical forests of regular school classrooms everywhere, they can be seen, silently folding, silently moulding, creating terrible! wonderful! beautiful pieces of work from seemingly simple sheets of paper! How do they do it?!
If you’re a beginner, then come to this panel to learn the basics!
If you’re a master, then come to show off your craft and lend a teaching hand to the next generation!
Applegeeks
It’s a sensation that’s not entirely understood yet, but webcomics are an art form that have taken the world by storm. Otafest is pleased to present Hawk and Ananth of Applegeeks fame in their first Canadian con! Come have a chance to talk to these popular webcomic artists about what Applegeeks is about, how they got started, and what it takes to become successful in webcomics
Photoshop by Applegeeks!
Have you ever wanted to draw, paint and color like the pros? Hawk and Ananth of Applegeeks fame can get you started on your way! The creators of the poplar webcomic applegeeks are guests at their first Canadian con, and will be teaching you the basics of using photoshop for all your computer graphic requirements!
Sushi & Onigiri How To
It’s healthy! It’s delicious! Don’t you wish you too knew how to make it? Well now you can! Pray to the gods for good weather, and come to the How-To-Roll-Sushi-And-Pack-Onigiri-And-Dude-We-Need-To-Come-Up-With-A-Better-Name-For-This-Outdoor-Picinic!
G-Unleashed
... be… afraid. Be very… afraid. Our beloved Cosplay Director finally gets the chance to spout about various contemporary anime and otaku-subcultures! Please bring ID, because this panel is for an adult audience only!
Anime Academia
Otafest is proud to present Dr. Antonia Levi as a guest lecturer for Otafest 2008! Dr Levi is a pioneer in the scholarly studies surrounding anime and Japanese pop culture (yes – you too can use anime for school projects!) and we are very pleased to be able to present a series of panels developed by Dr Levi, discussing various aspects of anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture.
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Myths for the New Millennium:
Anime and manga have long functioned as postwar Japan's modern mythology, what Fred Schodt once referred to as "the incessant babble of the collective Japanese subconscious." Yet now, those uniquely Japanese myths have gone global. What does this mean? Are the themes and images simply relevant to all (well, most) other cultures, or does the medium allow for such flexibility that
different audiences respond differently.
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Yaoi, Zowie, I Think They're Gay:
In Japan, yaoi (or BL/boys' love as it is more commonly called these days) is a fairly accepted part of female culture, mildly transgressive at most. In North America, however, it takes on new meanings. This presentation will discuss the roots of yaoi in Japan and explore some of the ways in which it has developed new meanings and even a new audiences in North America. Yuri fans are also encouraged to attend and add their perspectives.
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Sailor Buffy:
Many anime/manga themes (transforming women/girls, beautiful boys, gender-bending generally, flawed heroes and sympathetic villains) emerge in Joss Whedon's three series: Buffy, Angel, and Firefly. Whether this is the result of influence, related themes, or simply the needs of good story-telling, the results are strikingly similar. There are also some significant differences. What this tells us about Japan, North America, and our rapidly globalizing world is what we will discuss.
Gameshows
Anime - Name That Tune
At some point in time, we all have that ridiculously catchy anime opening stuck in our heads. I could even arguably say that more often than not, we have a ridiculously catchy anime opening stuck in our heads. Now’s the time to turn that anime music knowledge into prizes – at Anime Name That Tune!
Pocky Structures
Do you like playing with your food? I know we do! Let’s see how can play with their food in the most creative ways - who can come up with the coolest structures and models – using nothing but pocky and marshmellows!
Lego Robot Wars
Lego!! Giant Robots! Lego!! Giant Robots!! Like peanut butter and jelly, we bring together two elements that have been screaming to be brought together since the beginning of time in one galactic showdown! Bring your blueprints and back-stories, and compete against other teams in the Lego Robot Building Competition!
Battle Action RPG
The perennial Sunday night favourite returns! Otafest is pleased to present BATTLE ACTION RPG – A costume wearing, attack name shouting, live action role playing game in which the audience determines the hit points, surprise attacks can upset even the most obvious of winners, and no one leaves with their eardrums in tact!
AMV Gameshow
Other Cool Things!
Super Fantastic Otaku Karaoke Happy Hour(s)!
Let there be singing! And dancing! And Jack-assery the like that only otaku can accomplish! It’s our Friday Night Karaoke celebration – for those of us with music in our hearts (if not necessarily in our ears. ^_~)!
Mr & Miss Otafest
Now *you* can be the judge! Who do you think had the costume at Otafest? Remember to vote for your favourite guy and gal, and help us to crown our Mr and Miss Otafest 2007! Winners to be announced at the Awards Ceremony!
Click here for more information.
Anime Auction
This is the place to come for a chance to pick up bargain deals on anime memorabilia, and to watch our beloved auctioneer lose his voice! Come for the deals! Stay for the insanity!
Click here for more information.
AMV Video Blocks
Do you remember that video? You know, the one you watched a couple years ago, that absolutely blew you away? The one that seemed to redefine AMVs as we knew them? The one you promptly could never find again? Well, check out the AMV video block, where we'll be showing the great AMVs of recent memories, submitted to great AMV contests as Sakura-con, Animethon and Anime Evolution!
Anime Alberta Gathering
Anime Alberta is an online community allowing fans from all over Alberta to discuss their favourite topics! Come to the Anime Alberta Gathering to see the faces behind the texts and avatars!
Dedicated Rooms
Video Game Rooms
Arguably the most popular hang out from Otafests past, we’ve brought the Video Gaming Room back with a vengeance – and cloned it! That’s right! This year, there will be multiple gaming rooms! A great place to kick back between shows, events and mad dashes to the dealer’s room and challenge your friends to a duel to a death! Come check out the list of tournaments we'll be hosting all weekend long!
Anime Jeopardy
Answer: A classic gameshow favorite, being brought back for 2008. Question: What is Anime Jeopardy? With more categories and lots of interesting categories that will be sure to challenge even the smartest Otaku. Anime Jeopardy returns bigger and better than ever.
Anime Super Password
Fun. Friends. Secrets. Synonyms. Gameshow. What does it all mean? A brand new gameshow for Otafest 2008. If you think you and and a friend can convey the clues to each other using only one word, then come on down, have some fun, and we'll see if you can solve the Anime Super Password.
Anime Feud
Name a Gameshow that challenges you and your friends to think of things relating to anime. Survey Says: Anime Feud! The Feud is back and better than ever. With head to head challenges and team rivalries is sure to make this Feud one for the books. So, bring your friends, challenge your rivals, and have a lot of fun playing Anime Feud.
Anime Guess Who
Remember as a kid playing Guess Who with those little boards and all those fun characters? Ever wish you could play it with anime characters? Well here's your chance as we give you the opportunity to watch and play Anime Guess Who on bigger boards with fun anime characters that is sure to be memorable.
Anime E.D.G.E.
Over the years Otafest has held some wacky gameshows, including Anime Match Game and So You Think You Know Anime? This year, brings the coming of a new type of gameshow, where anything goes and you can be right even if your answer is totally wrong. Anime EDGE will be full of hilarity, hijinks and all sorts of unexpected twists and turns as we mash together over 15 different games and gameshows into one insanely funny and crazy gameshow. Leave your sanity at the door, strap in and be prepared for anything as we go over the Anime EDGE.
Creation Station
The Creation Station is a specially dedicated room for all fan-related creative efforts such as fanfiction, fanart & fangames! A popular room at Anime Evolution, Kumoricon, and Chibi Chibi Con, and formerly at Sakuracon, this year, we are very pleased to have the Creation Station at Otafest! With various panels, workshops, contests and games going on all weekend long, don't forget to come check out the fun including fanfic improv games, fanart and fanfic contests, and the ever popular fanfic bedtime stories! Please check back for more details coming over the next few weeks regarding the various fanfiction and fanart contests that could lead to possible publication for select winners!
More information about Creation Station forthcoming!
Maid Cafe
One of the most curious phenomenon to take off in otaku culture today, the maid café has become a staple of any outing to Akihabara. If you find yourself parched or weary, come stop by the maid café and purchase a drink, served to you by a charming maid cosplayer!
And, as a special service, as part of Otafest’s 10th birthday, all attendees will be served a piece of cake – just show your wrist band at the café, and we’ll be right with you! Irrashaimase!
(Please note: due to limited seating, please be courteous to other attendees, and limit your time.)
GuestsApplegeeks
The 404s
Dave Rathnow & Shin Ken Kai Nobara
Midnight Taiko
Dr. Antonia Levi
More to be announced!
Applegeeks
Otafest is very proud to present, for their very first con in Canada, Mohammad “Hawk” Haque, and Ananth Panagariya of Applegeeks! Applegeeks is the fantastically popular webcomic featuring the misadventures of “Hawk”, a college student with an unnatural fondness for Apple products, and his aspiring writer friend Jayce. Applegeeks have routinely been guests at such cons as Anime Central, Otakon and Katsucon and we are very pleased to be Applegeek’s first time in Canada!
For more information about applegeeks – check out their website!
http://www.applegeeks.com/The 404s
Theeeeeey’re back! The 404s are a touring group of improv performers based in Alberta, Canada. Presenting their own brand of improv comedy at events across Canada and in the United States, they combine heavy audience participation with their own witty charm, and leave every show with a bloody trail of busted guts and teary eyes in their wake. Perennial favorites at Otafest since Otafest 2005, we are very pleased to have the 404s return!
For a schedule of the 404's performances, check out their website here!
http://www.the404s.com/ Dave Rathnow & Shin Ken Kai Nobara
Iaido is the art of Japanese sword practice done with a live blade. Dave Rathnow has practiced the art for 12 years, and has given regular demonstration and talk on Iaido at the Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens in Lethbridge. Be sure to check out his demonstration and mini-lecture on this exquisite art!
For more information on Iaido, check out Shin Ken Kai Nobara's website here!
http://www.skknobara.comMidnight Taiko
Midnight Taiko is a group of taiko drummers, spreading their love of the art of Japanese drumming in Calgary. The group is so named because they are very passionate about good taiko and would gladly stay up all night playing! Midnight Taiko has played at Otafest the last 2 years, and due to their unique brand of audience participation, they put on a show you are sure not to want to miss! For more information on Taiko, check out Midnight Taiko’s website here!
http://www.midnight-taiko.comDr. Antonia Levi
Dr. Levi is an early scholar in the area of Asian popular culture studies, having studied at Tokyo University and Stanford. She has taught at Amherst College, Loyola Marymount University, Whitman College, and Portland State University. She is the author of Samurai from Outer Space: Understanding Japanese Animation, other articles on anime, and is currently working on an edited volume about yaoi in North America. Previously, she has been a guest at Anime Evolution, Kumori-con and Sakura-con, and we are very excited to have her join us at Otafest 2008! Be sure to check out her impressive scholarly slanted panels as part of our Anime Academia panel lineup!
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