Anime North was special this year. It transfixed us and left us excited to return next year. In the past, I encountered rude volunteers, sweltered in hot weather, and hung out with the wrong people. This year, I learned something new.

Lessons Learned

1. I learned that the convention staff does listen to feedback. Problems you’ve encountered in the past can be fixed.
2. I learned that who you hang out with at a convention can change your entire experience for the better or the worse.
3. It’s nice to have someone around when you’re attending an event with thousands of people. At an event this big, being alone is not fun. If you do go alone, attend events to meet people who like the same things as you.
4. Be around positive people. If you’re around negative people, it will drain the life out of you. That’s why you need a supportive friend or group of people with you at a convention.
5. I’ve realized that when I was around negative people at a convention, it made the experience awful. Choose who you hang out with at a convention carefully.

Aside from these revelations, Anime North 2017 was great because…

Reason #1 | Secret Washroom at Anime North

I went to Anime North alone for the first time on Friday. While the two-hour commute to the convention was brutal, I met up with one of my friends, Shana (Shanyan Cosplay), who led me to a secret washroom at the convention.

That washroom was so clean. I hate public washrooms, and the fact that she discovered one that no one else was using literally put the greatest smile on my face. My heart swooned.

Reason #2 | I Was Media

I was media at Anime North this year! Can you believe it? After months of waiting to hear back from Anime North about whether they would grant BecomingTia media passes, I was overjoyed when I received a confirmation email.

Reason #3 | So Many Friends

On Friday, I connected with my high school, university, and church friends. I saw people I didn’t even know were weebs.

It took me by surprise to see one of my friends dressed in a Haikyuu cosplay in the dealer’s room and another one lobby-conning at Anime North for the first time.

Reason #4 | I Met Subscribers

I can’t believe I met four of you at Anime North. Thanks for saying hi—it honestly made my con experience so much better.

Reason #5 | I Cosplayed as Korra

On Saturday, I cosplayed as Korra again. I was so close to not cosplaying anyone this year, but my friends convinced me to do it.

As one friend said, “It’s only once a year. Just do it.” So, I whipped out the old Korra cosplay from my closet, and surprisingly, the top still fit. It made Saturday 10 times more awesome.

Reason #6 | I Was With My Friend Monica

After that, I met up with my friend Monica, who cosplayed as Mikasa this year. She’s literally the best Mikasa, and we stayed at an Airbnb for the first time. It was a great experience.

Reason #7 | I Met Taylor

One of the top moments of Saturday was meeting Taylor for the first time! She traveled from the USA to Toronto, and I was so happy to see her pretty face in real life.

It made the convention so much more memorable. She was so chill, kind, and positive to be around. The first thing all three of us did was make a beeline for Starbucks.

Really, I was the only one making a beeline for Starbucks because I have an unhealthy obsession with green tea lattes. Honestly, I need to save money and buy matcha powder.

Reason #8 | Anime North Fashion Show Was Lit

Next, we went to the Anime North Fashion Show for the first time. I saw so many amazing Black fashion designers and models. My friend, Dolly Momoiro, featured her fashion collection, and it was outstanding.

My favourite part was when she strutted down the catwalk like Naomi Campbell. Y’all had to be there. Go subscribe to her channel and Facebook.

At this same fashion show, I saw my other friend Carla, who was part of the Street Fashion segment of the event. She wore this amazing Harajuku-inspired outfit that was based on a “5-year-old boy aesthetic.” Her skirt had a toy train printed on it, and she had the cutest backpack. The colours were blue, yellow, and red. I loved it. Overall, the fashion show was a great start to my Saturday.

Reason #9 | Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra Photoshoot

The impromptu Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra photoshoot took my friends and me by complete surprise. For some reason, there was no Avatar/Korra photoshoot scheduled, but our fandom made it happen anyway.

As a result, we got some pretty awesome shots and the most hilarious fandom dance video of all time. Read this post to view photos from the Avatar/Korra photoshoot.

Reason #10 | Avatar: The Last Airbender Panel

Saturday evening, I waited one hour in line with other Avatar fans for the Avatar/Korra panel. I talked to fans for an hour about Avatar. It was wonderful to meet people of all ages who were as much, or more, in love with Avatar as I am.

I didn’t host the panel this year, but it was amazing to sit in the front row and watch my friend Erick lead the Avatar and Korra panel. The panelists had excellent questions, and they inspired me to catch up and read all the Avatar comics, which I totally did after the convention was over (best decision ever!).

I want to say that the Avatar/Korra panel this year was the best panel I’ve ever been to. It was engaging, fun, and advanced. It didn’t shy away from difficult fan theories and questions. The panelists initiated discussion, and everyone in the room had a voice and a chance to participate.

Honourable Mentions

I lost my media badge!

Sadly, after the panel, I lost my media badge. Crazy, right? If you ever take off your badge to take a photo, always remember to put it back on. Or, if the string of your media badge is poorly tied for whatever reason, always check how tight the ties are.

In my case, I knew the string holding my badge was a little…unreliable, but I ignored it. Unfortunately, the string got loose, and my badge, along with my bus card, was gone.

I was in severe panic mode for 30 minutes. I’m glad I had my friend Monica calming me down the whole time. I’m happy to say I got really lucky—the Anime North staff found both my badge and bus pass, and I retrieved them in time for the night festivities.

Raves…How About No.

The one downfall of Anime North this year was the “raves.” I like to shuffle. We all know this. But after this year, I know I’ve outgrown that scene. I will not be returning. Plus, as a child of God, we really shouldn’t be attending these types of events, period.

Sunday – Attack on Titan Photoshoot

The highlight of Sunday was the Attack on Titan photoshoot. Attack on Titan is one of my favourite anime. My friend Monica is obsessed with Attack on Titan. She asked me to take photos of the event.

My favourite thing about the photoshoot was the people. Not only did I meet a subscriber, but I also encountered so many fans being kind to other fans. It felt very similar to the Avatar fandom in Toronto. I didn’t expect to see it in other fandoms (weird, right?), but it was there, and it made me happy.

I Fell in Love with the Hamilton Musical

The photoshoot ended with three people, including my friend Monica, practically screaming Hamilton songs at the top of their lungs, which drove me nuts.

I listened to the entire Hamilton musical that night. Now, I’m ridiculously, unimaginably, and inexplicably obsessed. I’m currently learning the entire musical by heart, and I’m waiting for my shot to perform my horrible rendition of the musical whenever I can.

Finally, I remember returning home and being so happy to be in my own bed and see my dog again. I felt very satisfied after Anime North this year and didn’t have any post-con depression. The next day, I went to work.

That was my Anime North 2017 experience. I highly recommend you go to this convention next year. God willing, I’ll be there. We shall see.

Until next time, galaxies.

Finally, I remember returning home and being so happy to be in my own bed and see my dog again. I felt very satisfied after Anime North this year and did not have any post-con depression. The next day, I went to work.\

That was my Anime North 2017 experience. I highly recommend you guys go to this convention next year. God’s willing, I’ll be there. We shall see.

Until next times galaxies.