Convention Policies

Admission

Your badge is the property of Anime North Japanese Animation Convention and must be surrendered when admission is revoked.
  • Gov’t issued ID with a name that matches must be shown to claim any lost badge. Lost badges are subject to a replacement fee. Attendees who lose their badge should go to the Con-AID Desk in the TCC.
  • Anime North reserves the right to refuse replacement badge sales. Admission to the convention may be refused or revoked at any time, for any reason.
  • Children 13 years and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. Parents and Guardians will be held liable for the behaviour of children in their care.
By Accepting their Badge the wearer agrees to abide by all convention policies of Anime North Japanese Animation Convention.

Registration

Badge Sales, Pre-paid Badge Pickup and Program Guide Handout take place at the Registration Area in Hall A, Toronto Congress Centre

Hours:
  • Thursday: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Pre-paid badge pickup only)
  • Friday: 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Saturday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Sunday: 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday and Friday: Anime North reserves the right to cut off line-ups one hour early to ensure all in line are processed by 9:00pm

All Attendees are required to wear their badge in a prominent and visible location as proof they are entitled to enter Anime North function space and events.

COVID-19 Policy: NEW for 2023

Anime North will be following Ontario provincial government guidelines. We will not be checking vaccine status of attendees, but are strongly recommending wearing a mask at the con

Public Safety

Violence, stalking, harassment, hate speech or other disruptive behaviour will not be tolerated. Offenders will be removed from the convention and where necessary, law enforcement become involved.

Not Allowed:
  • Line jumping, pushing, horseplay or rudeness to con staff.
  • Weapons, Drugs, Fireworks, Flammable Liquids.
  • Alcohol not sold by the venue. The legal drinking age in Ontario is 19.
  • Water Guns, Laser Pointers, Metal Props. *All other props must be approved by Weapons Master.
  • Glomping, extremely noisy props, and other activities or items that can startle or cause injury.
  • Hoverboards and other powered, wheeled items except for medical assistive devices.
  • Drones are banned by Canadian law due to the proximity to Pearson International Airport.

Access Policy

Anime North believes in providing equal access for con goers with physical, mental, sensory or other disabilities, permanent or temporary. Access stickers show the wearer is entitled to Access Accommodations or may have medical needs in case of an emergency or evacuation. Stickers can be on front or back of badge.

The Access and Invisible Disability stickers show the wearer may be entitled to:
  • Reserved seating in main room & panel rooms.
  • Front of the Line, Early Entry and/or Advance Seating.
  • Parking voucher for the TCC Wheelchair Accessible Parking.
  • Other accommodations where appropriate.
Anime North supports the ability of attendees to use the names, pronouns and washrooms that are most comfortable for their gender presentation

Ways Everyone Can Help:
  • Allow those using wheelchairs/other mobility devices to have first access to elevators.
  • Don’t use the wheelchair washroom stalls as cosplay change rooms
  • Avoid heavily scented personal products

Code of Conduct

Everyone who attends Anime North should be able to feel comfortable and safe. “No.” means No, “Go away.” means Go Away Now and Don’t Come Back.

Intentionally touching anyone without their consent can be considered assault. Glomping” and “Free Hugs” are still physical contact, you need to ask first.

Don’t touch someone who appears to be either transgender or crossplaying to find out if their body parts are real.

Yaoi Paddles, Yuri Paddles and similar items are not to be carried in public.

Pressuring or bribing people to perform PDAs in public spaces, whether same-sex or male-female, is harassment.

Harassment can be:
  • Unwanted talking, touching, or photographing.
  • Hanging around someone who asked you to leave.
  • Being gross or threatening just to ruin someone’s con experience.
Anyone who is threatened or harassed, or sees others in trouble should approach con staff for help.

Convention Space

The rules apply to all Anime North venues and shuttle buses running between venues.
  • Seating is first come, first served.
  • Wristbands or tickets may be required for some events. Government issued ID is required for any 18+ events.
  • No food, drinks or alcohol allowed in function rooms.
  • No recording allowed in video rooms.
  • No recording without prior permission of Media Department in panel, workshop or special events rooms.
  • No flash photography permitted during stage performances.
  • Pets are not allowed inside function rooms or in any indoor hotel or TCC space without prior permission.  Service animals are welcome everywhere as required by Ontario law.
  • If you post signs or flyers in unauthorized places, you will be held responsible for paying any cleanup costs imposed by the venue.
  • Helium-filled balloons are not permitted inside the TCC.
Shuttle bus use is free with Anime North admission. Badge must be shown to board.

Violating hotel rules for use of guest rooms or engaging in any other behaviour that is illegal or disruptive will result in loss of convention membership and possible legal action by the hotel.

Smoking Policy

  • Smoking (tobacco or cannabis) and vaping (with or without nicotine) not allowed in any convention space.
  • Smoking and vaping not allowed in the TCC parking lot or at photoshoot locations
  • All venues prohibit smoking and vaping indoors or near entrances and exits.

Vendors

Only Vendors who have contracts with Anime North may conduct sales in convention space, including Vendors Hall, Artist Alley, Gallery Momiji & other exhibitors areas.

Sales in the parking lots or from private hotels rooms not allowed.
  • Banned items for sale such as swords, knives, metal props or yaoi paddles must be  wrapped and sealed by vendor and removed immediately to the buyer’s car or hotel room.
  • Government issued ID is required to view or buy 18+ merchandise or art.
  • Panhandling is against local bylaws and will not be allowed in convention space.
  • Anime North is not responsible for mediating disputes between Vendors and those unsatisfied with their purchases. Always ask for a receipt.

Photography

By attending the Anime North convention, be aware that you, and any names or logos of your company, group, or other organization (i.e. team, club, etc.) may appear in photographs taken by Media, Anime North Staff or Industry personnel and those photographs may be used for marketing or promotions.
  • Any photographer wanting posed or casual pictures of individual attendees must ask permission first.
  • Only photographers who have purchased space in Photo Alley may charge for taking photographs in convention space.
  • Photographers may not set up lights, backdrops or other equipment in convention space outside of Photo Alley without prior permission.
Photography is not allowed in Gallery Momiji, the Vendors Hall, or anywhere that it blocks the flow of traffic or creates a crowding hazard.

Cosplay Guidelines

Costumes worn at Anime North must conform to the following rules or the wearer may be asked to cover up or leave the convention.

All con goers, whether in costume or street clothes must have opaque fabric covering the areas of the body that would be covered by jockey shorts or bra & panties.
  • Nudity is not allowed, and opaque bodysuits that simulate nudity are not allowed if they are too accurate.
  • Costume elements that may be disturbing or offensive to others are not allowed.
  • Fetish costume elements such as chains or handcuffs that may cause a safety hazard to the wearer or others must be removed.
  • Footwear with soles must be worn in convention space. “Invisible” shoes are acceptable for cosplay.
  • Anyone in a costume that is bulky, restricts vision or movement, or presents other safety issues should travel with an escort to prevent problems in high-traffic areas. If no escort is available, you may be asked to remove and safely carry the portions of your costume causing concern.

Weapons & Large Props

All weapons or large props must be checked and authorized by the Weapons Master. Upon approval, the weapon(s) will be bonded and your convention badge marked accordingly.

Live firearms, weapons prohibited by Canadian law, replicas of contemporary firearms, projectile weapons, props made of metal and yaoi paddles are all banned at Anime North.

All weapons must be holstered, sheathed, or slung except while posing for photos. All props must be carried safely and under your control.

Horseplay, careless or unsafe use of props, drawing of weapons, or the use of props to threaten persons or disrupt the peace of the convention will not be tolerated.

Public Safety and convention staff have the right to inspect any prop or weapon on request and take action where necessary.

The complete list of rules is available on our website or at the Weapons Check area at the TCC.

Dance and Concert Rules

Weekend or Same Day Anime North badge required for admission to TCC Dance Space (Parking Lot near Hall DE entrance) and the Concert (Hall C on Saturday)

All who enter or re-enter Dance Space or the Concert must agree to search by metal detector wand, bag inspection and remove cosplay mask if asked. Those who are or appear to be intoxicated, under the influence or otherwise impaired will be refused entry.

Allowed Inside Dance Space:
  • Small bags and purses
  • Sealed commercial water bottles
  • Needed medical supplies in clear bags (Epipen, asthma inhaler, etc)
NOT Allowed in Dance Space:
  • No Large Bags or Backpacks
  • No food or opened bottles
  • No unidentified substances.
  • NO Glass Bottles
  • No previously approved props or items that may be hazardous in a crowd
  • No Crowdsurfing, Piggybacking or Climbing.
  • Do not go on or behind the Stage.
Incidents involving Drugs, Alcohol, Violence, Trespassing or other serious offenses will be dealt with by On Site Police Officers.

Flashing Lights Warning: Those with epilepsy or photosensitivity may have difficulties in these areas.

Exhibit Halls

Gallery Momiji, Artist Alley, Pro Plaza, Vendors Hall

Photography is not allowed in the Vendors Hall.

Cameras and camcorders are not allowed in Gallery Momiji, photography of artwork is not allowed under any circumstances.

Photography of original artwork in Artist Alley or Pro Plaza is not allowed without permission of the artist.

Photography is not allowed anywhere that it blocks the flow of traffic or creates a crowding hazard.

Cosplay Events

Saturday Night Masquerade

Flash photography is strictly forbidden for safety reasons. Non-flash Photography of the Masquerade is allowed ONLY where it does not obstruct others’ view of the stage.

Those wanting special access for photography or taping of the Masquerades must inquire at the Masquerade office to find out if space is available.

Programming Events

Recording in panel rooms is not permitted without prior written permission from the convention and the panelists, presenters, and performers involved.

Anime North does not give permission for events in panel rooms to be recorded in their entirety for the purpose of being posted to personal websites, Youtube, or similar public web sources.

Photography and recording of guests in convention space for posting to public web sources is not permitted except with prior permission of the Media department.

Photography of all other aspects of the con is allowed, as long as it does not disrupt events or the flow of traffic and the subject does not object. Please be considerate and ask first before taking pictures of guests, con staff, other attendees or the general public.

Harassment, stalking and/or intimidation are not allowed at Anime North under any circumstance and may result in loss of membership badge without refund and removal from convention space. Venue management and/or police may take further action if they feel it warranted.

“No.” means No, “Go away.” means Go Away Now and Don’t Come Back. This applies to actions directed at anyone, by anyone.

Congoers who believe they are being harassed should immediately make it known in a clear, unmistakable way that the attention is unwelcome and as quickly as possible approach any con staff member for help in dealing with the situation.

Intentionally touching anyone without their permission can be considered assault and may result in police involvement as well as loss of membership badge without refund and removal from convention space.

“Glomping” and “Free Hugs” are still physical contact and you need to ask permission from people you don’t know first or they may be considered assault and/or harassment and dealt with as such.

Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault are legal distinctions that are outside the scope of Anime North to decide and will be left to the authorities to take appropriate actions. However, incidents with blatantly sexual speech or acts, or touching of a more personal nature (ie – areas of the body that would be covered by jockey shorts or bra & panties) will be treated very seriously.

It is not appropriate to touch someone who appears to be either transgender or dressed as a member of the opposite sex to find out if their body parts are real without very clear permission. Anime North will treat such incidents with equal severity whether the body part touched was real or costume.

Yaoi Paddles

“Yaoi Paddles”, “Yuri Paddles”, and similar items that exist for the same reason may not be carried in convention space. If one is purchased in the Vendors Hall, it will be securely wrapped and must be immediately taken off site (i.e. to hotel room, car, or home).

Using a Yaoi or Yuri Paddle in public areas will be result in loss of membership badge without refund and removal from convention space and may lead to police involvement.

Costume and Cosplay

All con goers, whether in costume or street clothes must have opaque fabric covering the areas of the body that would be covered by jockey shorts or bra & panties.

Nudity is not allowed, opaque bodysuits that simulate nudity are not allowed if they are too accurate.

Anyone wearing a costume that is too revealing will be asked to cover up or change.

Cosplayers who plan on wearing revealing costumes should bring a cover with them, for traveling between buildings, sitting in air conditioned rooms, or if they feel uncomfortable for any other reason.

Costume elements that may be disturbing or offensive to others are not allowed in convention space. Anyone wearing such items may be asked to remove or cover them up.

Con goers may be asked to remove fetish costume elements such as chains or handcuffs because of safety concerns for themselves and others.

PDAs – Public Displays of Affection

Please be considerate of others while you are in convention space. Simple PDAs like holding hands, hugging, brief kisses are fine but keep anything more intimate for your hotel room so bystanders won’t be forced to be part of your love life.

Same-sex couples are entitled to express affection the same as male-female couples without drawing attention, positive or negative.

Pressuring or bribing people to perform PDAs in public spaces, whether same-sex or male-female, is harassment and will not be allowed.

Don’t assume you can tell anything about the love life of a cosplayer based on a revealing costume and how they behave with their friends. When in doubt, it’s best to politely ask their age before anything you may regret later happens.

Anime North believes in providing equal access to the convention for all congoers. We continue to review and update our planning to remove barriers wherever reasonably possible, minimize those that remain and to provide additional help to congoers with physical, mental, sensory or other disabilities, permanent or temporary. This help is provided by Con-AID (Convention Access & Information Department)

Con-AID tables will be set up in every venue.

What the Con-AID tables provide:
  • General information about convention locations and events
  • Schedule Updates
  • Printed and digital copies of text-only programme book
  • Accessibility info about venue spaces, including washrooms
  • Registration for Accessibility Accommodations (TCC only)

Accessibility Sticker

Congoers who qualify may register at no extra cost for an Access attendee sticker. Access registration (picking up badges and stickers) will be at the TCC Con-AID table only. All others must go through main registration even when traveling together. The Access sticker is used to alert Anime North staff that the wearer is entitled to Access accommodations, or that they may have additional medical needs in case of an emergency or evacuation. Stickers are placed on the attendee badge, front or back.

Access attendees can choose between a wheelchair icon and an invisible disability icon, whichever represents them best. All accommodations are available to all Access attendees regardless of which sticker they have. A support person is someone who assists the access attendee. They can be a trained person (ASL interpreter, sighted guide, etc) or a family member who serves in the same capacity. Access attendees can bring one support person with them. Accommodations do not extend to members of your party who do not otherwise qualify for them.

The Access and Invisible Disability stickers show the wearer is entitled to:
  • Reserved seating in Main Room. Tickets or wristbands will still be required for limited capacity events.
  • Front of Line, Early Entry and/or Advance Seating where crowds may be an issue.
  • Parking voucher for the TCC Accessible Parking area. Voucher can be picked up at the TCC South Con-AID table.
  • Other accommodations as needed(where possible)

Sensory Aids

Deaf or Hard of Hearing attendees who require a Sign Language Interpreter must submit their request at least six weeks before the convention. Availability of interpreters have made this very difficult to arrange in the past, but we will try. We can provide a complimentary badge for a friend or family member who can serve as a personal interpreter in this situation.

If you wish to see the subtitles or closed captioning for a video, please request it at the Video Programming office in the International Lobby, next to the video rooms.

Communication

Anime North will have sets of icons available for those who wish to have some help with non-verbal communications. There are 3 items with clear phrases indicating whether the wearer feels comfortable talking to new people, only trusted friends, or simply does not want to engage with people at that time.

Please note –general attendees may not be familiar with this kind of system. We will not consider it harassment if someone attempts to talk to a wearer, unless it is clear they are deliberately, repeatedly ignoring a written request to be left alone.

Anime North believes in providing equal access for con goers with physical, mental, sensory or other disabilities, permanent or temporary. Access stickers show the wearer is entitled to Access Accommodations or may have medical needs in case of an emergency or evacuation. Stickers can be on front or back of badge. The Access and Invisible Disability stickers show the wearer may be entitled to:
  • Reserved seating in main room
  • Front of the Line, Early Entry and/or Advance Seating.
  • Parking voucher for the TCC Wheelchair Accessible Parking.
  • Other accommodations as needed(where possible)
  • Ways Everyone Can Help:
  • Allow those using wheelchairs/other mobility devices to have first access to elevators.
  • Don’t use the wheelchair washroom stalls as cosplay change rooms
  • Avoid heavily scented personal products
Service animals are welcome everywhere as required by Ontario law.

Pets, including dogs, cats, birds, small animals and exotic animals are not allowed inside function rooms during con events or in any indoor hotel or TCC space without prior permission from the venue. Please check with hotels for their policy about pets in guest rooms.

If you choose to bring a companion animal to the convention, it is your responsibility to ensure the animal is properly cared for, not in distress and under your direct control at all times in the public areas of the con. If these conditions are not met, you will be asked to return the animal to your hotel room or leave the convention.

For the safety and happiness of everyone, human and animal, we ask that you leave your pets at home.
All Guests have the choice to charge for signing autographs. Please check with staff before getting into any guest’s line-up. Prices for autographs are decided by each guest.

Rules for All Guests:
  • No body parts, no weapons, no unlicensed merchandise.
  • Guests may refuse to sign any item, at any time.
  • No photos without guests’ permission
  • Do not go behind the autograph tables.
  • Wristbands or tickets may be required for some autographs.
Scheduled Sessions:
  • One item per person, per guest.
  • Line-ups will begin no sooner than 30 minutes before scheduled start times.
  • Staff reserve the right to cut off the lines so that everyone remaining may receive an autograph within the scheduled time.
Guests signing outside scheduled time may choose to set different rules for their autograph table or sign at an artist, industry or vendors’s table, ask autograph staff for further details.

Anime North Japanese Animation Convention (hereafter “Anime North”) is committed to protecting the privacy of the personal information of our Members (active and prospective), Volunteers (those who volunteer their time with and/or without the benefits and privileges of full membership in Anime North), Attendees (those who purchase admission to the event), and Employees, including contract employees, customers, and stakeholders. Essential to continued consumer confidence and good will is that Anime North collect, use, and disclose personal information carefully and subject to consent.

Personal Information Privacy

Anime North collects, uses, and discloses personal information only for the purposes that a reasonable person would consider appropriate to Anime North’s activities.

Personal information (any information that can be used to distinguish, identify, or contact a specific individual) will be kept in strict confidence and will only be used for the purposes for which it was collected.

Specific safeguards will be taken to protect any personal information, such as locked cabinets and limited access.

The privacy policy follows the ten fair information principles as set out in Schedule 1 of Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act.

  1. Accountability

    Anime North has appointed a Privacy Office who is responsible for the organization’s compliance. Overall responsibilities rest with this officer.

    All Members, Volunteers, and Employees are responsible for day-to-day compliance.

    Contractual or other appropriate means are used to ensure compliance by trusted third-parties performing such functions as delivering packages, fulfilling orders, or processing credit card payments.

  2. Identifying Purposes

    Unless the purpose is self-evident due to the nature of the transaction (requesting the name and address of the person placing an order to ensure proper delivery), Anime North representatives will identify the purpose for which personal information is collected at or before the time the information is collected. The primary purposes for the collection of personal information relate to meeting obligations of Anime North under its activities and undertakings.

  3. Consent

    Consent can be express, or in some circumstances, implied, and given in writing by using or not using a check-off box, electronically, orally (in person or by telephone) or by conduct, such as use of a product or service. Withdrawal of consent can be done at any time, submitted in writing.

  4. Limiting Collection

    The collection of information by Anime North will be limited to what is necessary for the purposes that it identifies.

  5. Limiting Use, Disclosure, and Retention

    Personal information will not be used or disclosed for purposes other than those for which it was collected, except with specific consent or as is required by law. Information will be retained only as long for these purposes or as required by law.

  6. Accuracy

    Personal information will be kept as accurate, complete and up-to-date as necessary for the purposes for which it is to be used.

  7. Safeguards

    Anime North will protect personal information by security safeguards, including locked file cabinets, restricted access, and training of employees and volunteers.

  8. Openness

    Information about our policies and practices relating to the management of personal information will be made readily available for individuals.

  9. Individual Access

    Upon request, Anime North will respond promptly to any request by an individual for access to his or her personal information.

Convention Attendance Privacy

By attending the Anime North convention, be aware that you, and any names or logos of your company, group, or other organization (i.e. team, club, etc.) may appear in photographs taken by Media, Anime North Staff or Industry personnel and those photographs may be used for marketing or promotions.

Contacting Anime North

For anything to do with this policy, including questions or comments, please address:

Privacy Officer
Anime North Japanese Animation Convention
Anime North Office
Delta Toronto Airport Hotel, 655 Dixon Road

Toronto, Ontario, M9W 1J3

For the safety of all con attendees, the following policy towards such items will be strictly enforced. Costumers are expected to read and comply to it completely. Failure to do so will result in warnings and potentially loss of convention membership.

  1. NO live firearms. Removal of firing pin or bolt does not negate this rule!
  2. NO prohibited weapons (as defined by applicable Canadian Laws). Examples include (but are not limited to):
    • Bali-Song ("butterfly knife") or switchblade/dropblade style knives.
    • Nunchucks, Tonfas, Shurikens, or similarly restricted Martial Arts Weapons, which are illegal under the Criminal Code of Canada (foam models of these items are permitted).
    • Law Enforcement items such as Batons, Tasers or Mace.
  3. NO Replicas of Contemporary Firearms (i.e. beginning from the era of revolvers - U.S. Civil War forward to any currently manufactured firearms).
  4. NO metal weapons or yaoi paddles. Metal weapons shall include but not be limited to swords, knives and daggers. (Plastic or wood that LOOK'S like metal is permitted.)
  5. All weapons must be holstered, sheathed or slung in an approved fashion.
  6. Weapons will not be drawn or displayed outside of convention function space (except in the privacy of a hotel room), or in any public or crowded area except for specific photo ops areas.
  7. Due and full consideration must be given to physical safety and peace of mind of other persons at all times, this includes the general public and venue staff, not just other convention attendees.
  8. All weapons or large props must be checked and authorized by the Weapons Masters at the Weapons Registration tables at the TCC (see pocket program). Upon approval, the weapon(s) will be bonded and your convention badge marked accordingly.
  9. Any weapons which fail to meet the safety criteria of the Weapons Masters must be immediately (and discreetly) returned to storage (e.g.: your hotel room or vehicle) for the duration of the convention or be checked by the Weapons Master. Please note it is your responsibility to pick up your checked weapons. Any props or weapons left with the Weapons Master beyond the close of registration Sunday become the property of Anime North.
  10. Pulbic Safety and convention staff members reserve the right to inspect weapons, peace bond and convention badge markings at any time. Any signs of tampering will be referred to the Weapons Master for confirmation of authenticity.
  11. Horseplay (of any kind, whether participants are consenting parties or not) with weapons will not be tolerated. All persons involved may be penalized depending upon the nature of the severity of the offense. All complaints of behavior of this nature will be dealt with immediately by Anime North.
  12. Failure to adhere to one or more of the above rules will result in any or all of the following penalties being swiftly enforced.
    • Immediate loss of the privilege to carry weapons
    • Expulsion, without refund, from the Anime North Convention
    • Any act of gross negligence or public endangerment may result in criminal charges beyond the control of Anime North (please remember that the general public may have no idea that the convention is in progress and may react in the extreme if they feel threatened).

Please note that certain exemptions to rules 3, 4, and 6 may be considered for the purpose of the Costume Masquerade ONLY. If you wish to submit a weapon or routine for special consideration, please consult with the Masquerade Director prior to the masquerade registration deadline.

The decision of the Weapons Master and convention staff members are final and will be strictly enforced to ensure a safe environment for all convention attendees.