Anime Ottawa 2025
What better way to spend Easter weekend than geeking out at Anime Ottawa? That’s exactly what went down this year at the EY Centre, where the second annual Anime Ottawa convention brought fans, cosplayers, and Japanese pop culture lovers together for three jam-packed days of anime goodness.
I had the chance to attend again this year—yep, I was also there for the very first one in 2024—and let me tell you, it’s amazing to see how much this con has grown in just one year!
Star-Studded Guest Lineup
Anime Ottawa really went all out with the guest list this time. Voice actors from some of our favorite shows and games were in attendance, including:
- Brianna Knickerbocker (Demon Slayer, Genshin Impact)
- Faye Mata (Fire Emblem, League of Legends)
- Katie Griffin and Linda Ballantyne, both voices of Sailor Moon (!!)
- Keith Silverstein (Sonic the Hedgehog, Overwatch)
- Kyle Hebert (Dragon Ball Z, Naruto)
It was a voice acting dream team, and fans were loving the panels, meet-and-greets, and autograph sessions.
Music That Hit All the Right Notes
Let’s talk performances—because the music this year was on point.
- Fhána, the Japanese band behind theme songs for 18 anime titles, rocked the stage with their electrifying energy. Members Junichi Sato, towana, and kevin mitsunaga had the crowd totally vibing.
- Nonoc, all the way from Hokkaido, gave a standout performance Saturday night that had everyone cheering.
- Ottawa Guitar Trio delivered an acoustic love letter to Japanese pop culture with incredible guitar renditions of themes from Studio Ghibli, Pokémon, Chrono Trigger, Zelda, and Super Mario Bros.
And if that wasn’t enough, Melody of Japan Singers brought beautiful traditional melodies to life, giving the audience something truly unique.
Dance Parties, VTubers & Improv Mayhem
Anime Ottawa wasn’t just about panels and shopping—there was plenty of entertainment to keep us hyped all weekend long.
- DJ Animaple turned up the volume with anime-themed parties for otaku of all kinds.
- The VTuber lineup was massive, with appearances from Airi Viridis, Alpha Betta, Hani Hima, Kirispica, Mozumi Pichi, Tomoe Umari, Clover Inari, and so many more. Seriously, it was like a who’s who of virtual anime stars!
- The 404s, a hilarious improv group from Toronto, had us cracking up with their unique brand of “geekprov.” They were a total crowd-pleaser all three days.
Kicking It Off in Style
The opening ceremonies got a stylish twist this year, hosted by Yumemi, a solo Jpop galaxy idol from Toronto. Her high-energy presence really set the tone for the weekend!
Anime Ottawa Highlight Reel
Cosplay Alley at Anime Ottawa
If there’s one thing that truly brings the anime convention vibe to life, it’s the cosplay—and Anime Ottawa absolutely delivered on that front!
This con loves its cosplayers. From casual cosplay to jaw-dropping, hand-crafted masterpieces, the EY Centre was filled with fans showing off their love for anime in the most creative ways possible. One of the best parts? The Cosplay Alley—a designated area just for cosplayers to hang out, meet others, and get those perfect photo ops. It was a hotspot throughout the weekend, buzzing with energy, fabric, foam, and fandom.
The con also hosted scheduled Cosplay Meetups, where fans of specific anime would gather in costume for group photos. Think an entire squad of cosplayers dressed up as characters from their favorite anime or videogame striking poses, and assembling for the ultimate team shots. Whether you were in the mix or just snapping pics on the sidelines, it was a total blast to witness.
Check out our Cosplay at Anime Ottawa 2025 Gallery
for a look at some of the awesome and creative cosplays we spotted all weekend long!
The Masquerade: A Cosplay Showdown
Of course, no cosplay celebration would be complete without a Masquerade, and Anime Ottawa’s was a highlight of the weekend. This epic competition brought together some of the most talented cosplayers around to show off their craftsmanship and creativity on stage. With multiple categories to reflect different skill levels, everyone—from first-timers to seasoned veterans—got a chance to shine.
The performances? Totally entertaining. The crowd? Super into it. And the judges? Absolute icons. This year’s panel included:
-
Dragonmoth, a dynamic duo made up of Lady Moonmoth and Daragonne, who’ve been creating intricate cosplay magic for the past decade.
-
Petitelune, a Montreal-based fashion designer and longtime cosplay enthusiast who’s been a staple of the community for over 15 years.
Their expertise and passion for the craft really added to the event, making it both a celebration and a showcase of everything cosplay has to offer.
Masquerade highlight reel
Masquerade Judges
Say Hello to COSPLAY-EH!
This year, Anime Ottawa wasn’t just about celebrating the cosplay community—it was also about elevating it to new heights. Enter: the debut of the COSPLAY-EH! Canada Cosplay Championship, a brand new competition aiming to become the premiere cosplay contest in Canada.
While The Masquerade gave fans a chance to shine on stage, COSPLAY-EH! is designed for those ready to level up beyond the traditional Master categories. If you’ve ever wondered what comes after years of slaying masquerade comps, this is your answer. This championship is all about celebrating top-tier craftsmanship, pushing creative boundaries, and recognizing Canada’s most elite cosplayers.
The first round of competitor selections kicked off right here at Anime Ottawa 2025! Future selection rounds are scheduled for Montreal Comiccon (July 5), Ottawa Comiccon (Sept 6), Comiccon de Québec (Oct 11), and Winnipeg Comiccon (Oct 24). All roads lead to the grand finale at Montreal Comiccon 2026—and let’s just say, it’s shaping up to be a must-watch moment in Canadian cosplay history.
Judging the Anime Ottawa round were three incredible names in the cosplay world:
-
Soltysketches, an award-winning cosplayer and artist with over a dozen intricate builds to her name
-
Eli Cosplay, a passionate Costa Rican cosplayer known for stunning detail work and over a decade of experience
-
Meltingmirror, a Canadian cosplay icon with 20+ years in the game, featured in magazines and major cosplay sites, and a regular judge at competitions across North America
With this kind of talent behind the judging table and on the stage, COSPLAY-EH! is already off to a stellar start. Cosplay fans definitely need to keep an eye on this one—it’s going to be huge.
COSPLAY-EH Judges
Anime Ottawa 2025 was a blast from start to finish, with amazing guests, great vibes, and tons of anime love in the air. Whether you were cosplaying, collecting merch, or just soaking up the fandom energy, this con delivered.
I can’t wait to see what next year brings—if they keep leveling up like this, we’re in for something truly epic in 2026!
