The schedule is subject to update- remember to check back often!
ADMISSIONS DESK HOURS: Friday May 10: 8:00 – 19:00 | Saturday May 11: 8:00 – 19:00 | Sunday May 12: 8:00 – 17:00 * Otafest will only sell tickets at the door if tickets have not sold out online.
EXHIBITOR HALL HOURS: Friday May 10: 10:00 – 19:00 | Saturday May 11: 10:00 – 19:00 | Sunday May 12: 10:00 – 17:00
EVENT RATING GUIDE:
AP: All Ages - This programming is suitable for all ages.
14P: 14+ - This programming is suitable for persons 14 years and older. May include coarse language, violence, nudity and/or content not recommended for a younger audience. Parent/guardian guidance recommended.
MP: Mature - This programming is suitable for patrons 18 years and older. May include coarse language, explicit violence, sexual content, and/or mature subject matter. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or appointed guardian. Photo ID must be shown at the door to the room.
18+: This programming is suitable for adults only. May include explicit language, frequent sexual activity, graphic violence, intense horror, and/or other disturbing content. No minors will be admitted.Photo ID must be shown at the door to the room.
Unleash your character! Cosplaying and tabletop RPGs share a common passion for storytelling and character expression. Join us as we explore how cosplaying a character can enhance your experience!
A full guide on how to turn cosplay into a sensory dream, vs. a sensory nightmare like they usually turn out. We will talk on fabrics, modifications, and additions one can make to their cosplay!
Do you need (another) mobile game in your life? Or maybe you already play Ensemble Stars!! Music, but want tips on how to get diamonds for the lie that is rate-up. We will be covering this and more!
If you've ever wanted to be a convention idol you've come to the right place! Here we will teach you all the things you need to know to be a convention idol! Including learning a short dance routine!
Come join us as we will teach you how to perform wotagei/cyalume dance; a high energy dance style performed with chemical glowsticks. (As seen in Oshi no Ko).
Going to your first con? Feeling overwhelmed with everything? Need a refresher on what to do? Join us to learn how to have the best con experience for you and others.
Best anime of all time? The best waifus or husbands? In this panel we'll be debating these unanswered questions with our contestants and among the hosts and YOU will be the one to decide the outcome!
Does wig styling make you nervous? Look no further, this panel is for you! Learn simple, beginner friendly wig styling methods that will transform your cosplays to the next level!
Learn about a Japanese idiom that's easier felt than explained about the awareness of impermanence in life. We'll explore how this deeply moving concept is present in various forms of Japanese media.
MILGRAM is an interactive music project created by DECO*27 and Yamanaka Takuya. Whether you're a new or seasoned fan, come watch the second trial music videos and judge the prisoners for their sins!
Convention photography etiquette, Do's and Don'ts, red flags to watch for and tips for working with photographers. Helping to avoid awkward/uncomfortable situations and to stay safe.
Welcome to Hatsune Miku: Colourful Stage! Attend this panel to get an introduction - or just learn some new trivia - about the rhythm game with over 6 million players worldwide
Want to get into doing skits for cosplay contests? Or improve on your current skills? Come and hear tips and tricks from Lynx Point Cosplay who have been competing locally for 10+ years!
Anime Trivia where you'll be competing against all the other competitors of the panel in a free for all trivia battle. Show off your Otaku knowledge and win some prizes while you're at it UwU.
Ever wondered what it's like to be an idol? Those sparkly people dancing somewhere at your local con? And how do they keep their wigs on? Idol Group Framboise is here to tell you all this and more!
Do you think you know anime more than your fellow weebs? Then welcome to our panel where we'll be describing YOUR favourite anime in the absolute worst ways possible. WE ALSO HAVE PRIZES FOR THE WINNER
Dive deep into the enchanting world of danmei with us! Join our panel for a journey of stories, characters and the heart of Chinese BL Literature with engaging discussions, games and more!
Come join fellow Trailblazers and have fun and insightful discussions on how to build different teams and utilize strategies to clear the hardest levels and content within Honkai: Star Rail!
Welcome to the wonderful world of Asian Ball Joint Dolls. Ever wondered what they are and if your interest where to get them ? Jasmine Chopyk will be happy to help guide guests and inform them.
Do you want to make the GREATEST Shonen Battle Arc of ALL TIME?? Come to this amazing story creation panel, hosted by The Rizzler and Shinji Ikari, and make PEAK FICTION with everyone in the audience!
Want to travel to Japan but not sure how to get the best bang for your buck? Where to stay? How to get around? Where is worth going? Join us to maximize your trip to Japan!
A social game of deduction where the evil Negaverse has corrupted Azabu Juban, rendering everyone unable to recognize each other! Can the Sailor Scouts identify them before their time runs out?
WELCOME TO THE HAZBIN HOTEL! Join Angel Dust and friends for an interactive panel version of Snatch Game from RuPaul's Drag Race! Lots of Improv fun, and prizes to be won! Viewer Discretion Is Advised
Think you know how to write fan-fiction? You don't. Let me teach you how to write the very BEST type of fan-fiction-- the kind inspired by My Immortal!
In this hidden identity game, two teams of players battle to help or hinder a presidential assassination. Who is the president? And who is the assassin? And can you trust who people say they are?
Okaerinasaimase! Sugarbell Maid Cafe invites you to an upbeat panel all about the wonderful world of maid cafe. Whether you're new to the maid cafe concept or a maid connoisseur, all are welcome!
Welcome back to Queerness in Anime and Manga where we discuss this subject and its many ups and downs, how has the perception of queerness in japan changed the portrayal in media + pics of my cat
Gather with fellow con-goers and enjoy a complimentary (sealed) cup of tea over delightfully dramatic con stories of the past. Share your own or sit back and listen to the tales with your new friends!
You know it by now the try not to laugh challenge, inspired by Smosh Pitts version. One target vs the cast will in character attempt to get a laugh. Join us for some laughs cuz no one can ever not LOL
A powerpoint presentation about popular animes and hentais that were visual novels originally to help people learn how to access the visual novel media genre.
Ever wondered what it would be like to practice the Japanese martial art of kendo? Fend off your friends with a bamboo blade? This is your chance to find out!
If you are trying to get into Dungeons and Dragons this is the panel for you! Learn how to create a character you will be invested in for eternity, from appearance to backstory, we will cover it all!
Introduction to the Wixoss TCG. Interested in waifus? With more than 50 original character and collabs from Pripara, Blue Archive and even Nijisanji, you're bound to find someone you like in the game.
Learn about the design, sewing, and other creative processes that go into creating lolita fashion and what makes lolita so different from other alternative fashions.
Think you can beat all the trials from the show Squid Game? Well, prove it. Here's your chance to win that tasty, tasty grand prize, but you'll have to defeat all the other players first. Good luck.
You know that thing you like? Yeah, the one that you're passionate about, but nobody else seems to be! Now's your chance to expose it to a larger audience, and get others as invested as you!
Attention Monster hunters! Come out and hunt with your fellow hunters on an expedition through some of Calgary's downtown. Let's hit those special nodes and hunt some monsters in teams!
A brief and wild introduction to the world of competitive cosplay, from a beginner for beginners. Learn what to expect as someone new to competing in cosplay and where you can get started yourself!
Love JRPG games? Never played one but don't know where to start? We'll go over some of the best games by Square Enix, what made them great, and discuss their influence on the gaming landscape.
Want to make manga with pen and paper traditionally instead of digitally? I got you covered! Everything you'll need to know from getting your idea to paper, tools of the trade and how to get it printed
Do you love singing anime songs but struggle with the lyrics? Jump into the world of singing anime songs and learn how to overcome even the toughest Japanese verses! Great for all ages and levels.
Come watch our debaters argue the absurd, answering the most bizarre anime questions you wish you'd never asked! Think you can argue with the best? You're wrong, but we might even let you try!
The all inclusive guide to surviving conventions with your family. Sharing our 60 years of combined experience attending conventions and how our family of four managed to survive to this point.
The Fake Artist returns! Players are collectively drawing a picture, but one doesn't know what they are supposed to draw. Will they be caught? Come give it a try, new artists selected every round.
Come enjoy the Windblume Festival in Mondstadt with a selection of characters from all over Teyvat! Play exciting arcade games and earn prizes to take home.
Are you new to fandoms? Do you often find yourself struggling to interact with others in online media? Join us for a fun interactive lesson in fandom Literacy!
Do you think you have what it takes to be the very best? At Pokémon Trivia that is! Come and join us for a fun game show filled with some tough Pokémon questions to prove who the best Quiz master is.
Calling all K-Pop Fans/Enthusiasts!! Doesn't matter if you are young or have aged like fine wine, come show off your K-Pop knowledge and join ERA DANCE TEAM during this year's Kpop Random Play Dance! Audience participation is highly encouraged!
Jump into the world of music making and be part of an anime song OP production! Get inspired and learn about the skills you need to make your own anime style song. Great for all ages and levels.
How students and working professionals handle being in the anime/manga fandom: how to balance work with cosplaying, attending conventions, and other involvements in the fandom
Come to the Final Fantasy 14 Gold Saucer to test your knowledge in various games for amazing prizes (both official merch and homemade)! There will also be 2 jackpot lotto draws for prizes as well! Par
How to become a Dungeon/Game Master for any tabletop roleplaying game, including tips for writing a compelling story, creating a unique world, and developing memorable characters
Have you ever seen those crazy Japanese commercials? Do you think you can guess what's being sold in these crazy ads? Test your knowledge against the audience to win fabulous prizes!* *Not Guaranteed
Transform your clicks into art! This beginner-friendly panel guides you through camera settings, composition mastery, and smart gear use. Discover simple yet powerful techniques to elevate your photos
All individuals who are interested in Project Sekai will have the opportunity to showcase their dancing skills! Come join us for an hour of dancing to songs from every Project Sekai group!
The game show that lets you write anything is here in Otafest and all you need is your phone! The best part is that the audience can join in on the hilarity and chaos!
Back for the third year, it's Deal or no Deal featuring your favourite waifus (and husbandos?!) - six rounds of finding out if your waifu/husbando is trash or cash.
Let's build a world together! How hard can it be? It's just an entire world with its on unique history, peoples, species, geography, economies, biology, and potentially physics. Uh oh.
New Streamer? Have a question about Streaming? Proff.Taako is here to answer them! From Vtubing to scene building. No question is to silly or small to help you get started on the stream journey.
Gacha games, where luck decides your gameplay. In a bold act of hubris, I will showcase why Call of Duty, Overwatch, and League of Legends are all gacha games.
Come one come all!, the Amiibo tournament is here for another round. Bring your prized Amiibo to fight it out with others. Don't have an amiibo ? No problem we got plenty stock fighters as well.
Decision fatigue - the game! Are your hot takes the best? Join us for the Anime Rankathon to rank your favourite animes, characters, and more! Warning: public speaking/debate. Ensure phone is charged.
Once again, it is time to come forth, devout holosimps and holobros. The time has come to hear the gospel of our beloved idols! Participation in worship highly encourages penlights ;)
Come in and peruse through various visual novel scenes from the distant past to present day. Thankfully, a maid is on board, because this is bound to get dirty......and unhinged. ლ(◉‿◉ ლ)
Do you want to make money off your artwork? Do you wanted to be one of the people in the Artist Alley at convention? Find out how to get started with this panel run by an artist alley veteran.
Welcome to the Yaoi Panel! New to boy's love? Great! Already a seasoned veteran? Even better! Come, join us and learn more about Yaoi Culture and Boy's Love. Let's play some fun games too!
Are you wearing way too much denim? A character in a bunny suit that should NOT be in a bunny suit? Or... the Lorax? Now's your chance to see if you really do have the MOST cursed cosplay at the con.
Have you ever wondered why some characters give “heck yeah!” energy while others make you feel a little bit I'll? Me too, join us as we explore sexy character design, the good, the bad, and the weird
Come watch our degenerates debate the perverse, the lascivious, and the highly inappropriate, in this special 18+ adult only extra spicy edition of the Great Big Nerd Debate!
We are back at it again with another dance panel-but with a twist! This time around, we will be teaching our own choreography! Who knows, maybe you'll be brave enough to own the stage~
Have you ever wanted to get into the series Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint or want to meet other readers of the series? Come to our Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint panel!!
Monsters can be found in every form of media. Why do we love them so much? Join us for a deep dive into depictions of monsters and our fascination with them.
Things you wouldn't expect a Transformer to turn into. Things Edward Elric should never transmute. Things a Pokémon Trainer should never shout out during a battle. Come check out all our Anime Things!
Compete with your Pokémon knowledge in various games for amazing prizes (both official merch and homemade)! There will also be 2 lotto draws for prizes as well! Participation is heavily encouraged.
Do you like D&D? Do you hate D&D? Do you not care either way and just want to see a bunch of nerds embarrass themselves? Join our comedy D&D audience improv game!
Glean some budget-saving tips from the Red Kitten Productions cosplay team on repurposing materials, where to put the bucks, and how to make your look memorable (in the good way)
You thought the jokes LAST year were dad? This year we're going even father with it! Bring your best, friendliest dad jokes, for a chance to earn the ULTIMATE prize... A fatherly handshake.
Do you want to write music or make audio for video games? Learn from a local award winning game composer/sound-designer on the in's and out's of what's needed to break into video game audio!
Are you Yuri Briar… or are you Bondman? In this location-based game of deduction, it's up to players to work out who among them is the spy before the spy can learn where everyone is!
Dive into spring with Vancouver's first Love Live! Superstar!! idol group, Estella! Join us for performances from every era of Love Live! and other iconic anime songs — don't forget your penlights!
Looking for tips for curating the anime merch collection of your dreams? Come on down to learn about finding merch, identifying bootlegs, and even creating your own ita bag to display it!
Anime EDGE makes its triumphant return to Otafest. Players are pushed to the limits in this random, no holds barred competition. Are you ready to go to the Anime EDGE?
Ever wondered what it would be like to practice the Japanese martial art of kendo? Fend off your friends with a bamboo blade? This is your chance to find out!
Love dancing to idol music? Practiced your wotagei? Want to be in a space where the two forces are joined together? Come dance along to your favourite songs from J-Pop, Vocaloid, Vtuber's, and more!
Would you consider yourself a connoisseur of Japanese media? If you answered yes, put your knowledge to the test in “Is It Anime?” Where you will compete with other contestants for the ultimate prize!
Ever heard of an otome game before? If you haven't, don't worry! The purpose of this panel is to share and learn about the wonderful world of choosing your own fictitious romance!
Think YOUR waifu is the best? Wanna prove it? Come show us how your waifu makes the best waifu through such ridiculous scenarios like "who is the best cereal mascot". Impress the judges and win!
Learn the basics of getting started with the classic four-button rhythm game you play with your feet, such as a few gameplay tips as well as how you can take the DDR experience home!
Do you like Disney songs? Do you like singing along to music so loud you lose your voice? Then come join us for the return of the Disney Sing-Along! This time with even BETTER music.
Have you ever been curious about Genshin but are too afraid to ask questions at this point? Then this is a panel for you. Contents may include: story and character lore from the Abyss to Fontaine.
