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 Halko Momoi Concert Attendance Information

Other Items of Interest

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 D. Registration hours will be:

Friday: 1 PM – 9 PM
Saturday: 9 AM – 8 PM
Sunday: 10 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.

Weekend admission $55.00 CDN/USD

Single Day	Price	Reg Desk Hours
Friday	$35 CDN/USD	1 PM to 9 PM
Saturday	$40 CDN/USD	9 AM to 7 PM
Sunday	$35 CDN/USD	9:30 AM to 4 PM

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.

Following is an overview of the major events going on this year at Anime North 2008. 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
Artist Alley: 5 PM – 11 PM
Dealer's Room: 5 PM – 10 PM

Saturday – Building Open Generally from 10 AM – 11 PM

Registration: 9 AM – 8 PM
Artist Alley: 10 AM – 11 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
Artist Alley: 10 AM – 5 PM
Dealer's Room: 10 AM – 5 PM

Major events at the TCC are:

• Noizytoyz Concert: Noizytoyz will rock out with their own J-pop style Saturday afternoon.
  
• Dealer’s Room: 250 tables of anime, manga, and much more, all for sale and waiting for you. Open all weekend.
  
• Artist Alley and Art Show: Approx. 200 amateur artists display their work and wow you with their talent. The Art Room will also present the North American premiere of the artwork of Japanese designer and illustrator Yasushi Suzuki. Open all weekend.
  
• Anime Themed Wrestling: In association with Great Canadian Wrestling Expo (www.GCWE.com) and Wyldstar Comics, Saturday will rumble with Dragonball battles, Death Note's “L”, DC superheroes, and more! With special guest wrestling star APRIL HUNTER!!!
  
• J-Pop Dance: Dance Saturday night away from 9 PM – 2 AM with our non-stop Anime Dance Party.
  
• 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.

• Panels 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 Plaza Ballroom, Sunday, 10:30 AM). This is a ticketed event and is Sold Out.
  
• Halko Momoi Concert: Our Japanese Guest of Honor performs Saturday afternoon. See Attendance notes below.
  
• Masquerade: One of the convention highlights, our Saturday evening costume pageant extraordinaire! See Attendance notes below.
  
• 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, such as:
  
  • ANIME HELL: One hundred and twenty minutes of questionable content, murky audio, and confusing ambiences!
    
  • SENSATIONAL SUPER ROBOTS OF THE SWINGING SEVENTIES: Return to the anime’s grooviest decade with Mazinger Z, Grandizer, Voltes V, Combattler V, Daitarn 3, Zambot 3, Steel Jeeg, Danguard Ace, Getta Robo. An educational presentation.
    
  • TOTALLY LAME ANIME: Professional translator and all-around 'good guy' Neil Nadelman takes you on a mind-altering journey with some of the worst, least entertaining, poorly-animated, questionably-conceived animation ever produced.

• Anime Pool Party: Saturday afternoon fun in the water.
  
• 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, Saturday 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.
  
• Friday Night J-Rave: A rave dance to help kick off the con. Try to wear something red. See Attendance notes below.
  
• Manga Library: Sit down for a bit and read one of the hundreds of volumes available.

Masquerade, Halko Momoi Concert, and Friday J-Rave Attendance Information

In order to attend the Halko Momoi concert, J-Rave Dance, or the Masquerade, 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.
  
• The Masquerade will be videotaped and run on the Doubletree in-house cable channel after it concludes on Saturday evening.

To attend the Masquerade, please go to the Masquerade office to obtain a wristband (see your Pocket Program for the location and times).

To attend the Halko Momoi concert or Friday J-Rave, wristbands will be available at the following times and locations (subject to change, please see your Pocket Program when you arrive at the con for final times)

• At the Thursday Night Pre-Reg Check-In at the Doubletree Hotel from 7 PM – 10 PM. Please note that this event is only for attendees who have registered in advance for the con. New memberships will NOT be sold at this event.
  
• At the Autograph Tables at the Toronto Congress Center at the following times:
  
  
• Friday: 6 PM to 8 PM for J-Rave Dance.
  
  
  ..8 PM to 10 PM for the Halko Momoi performance.
  
  
• Saturday: 10 AM to 12 PM for the Halko Momoi performance.

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 mange merchandise. You have no idea what you’ll find or how cheap it’ll be! Friday evening.
  
• 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.
  
• Contests and Workshops: Participate in events from “Anime Name That Tune” to cel painting and a Japanese cooking demonstration.
  
• 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 dances Friday and Saturday night!

Other Items of Interest

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

If you are a costumer with any sort of large prop or weapon (facsimile or otherwise) you must first read our Weapons and Large 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 access@animenorth.com, 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).