Going to your first con? Feeling overwhelmed with everything? Need a refresher on what to do? Come together to learn how to have the best con experience for you and others.
Are you a reckless D&D player or a long-suffering DM? Come share your stories of tabletop gaming - from utter, tragic failure to the most unexpected of triumphs, we want to hear them here!
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!
Fuel your con days without breaking the bank! Learn low-cook, budget meals and snacks that don't need a fridge or microwave. Stay energized, save money, and avoid lines with these con survival foods
Explore the world of the first generation of Pokémon as we see the wild and whacky history of the franchise. From questionable game design to insane worldbuilding, find out how Pokémon got its start!
Vocaloid, Project Sekai, Ensemble Stars, Project Diva, & Love Live! Young and old, veterans and newbies, join us in dancing to some of our favourite vocaloid and rhythm game hits!
Are you interested in learning how to create better videos? In this panel, we'll discuss how to bring your ideas to life, filming/audio techniques and editing tricks to elevate your content.
A guide from convention veterans for convention rookies. Learn about convention etiquette, do's and don'ts, red flags to watch for and tips for staying safe while still having a great time.
Femboys vs. Tomboys? Is Smash Bros. a fighting game? Is it weird to own a dakimakura? Come watch our debaters argue the absurd, answering the most bizarre anime questions you wish you'd never asked!
It's chess, with you as the pieces! Everyone is invited to watch this epic multi-versal mash-up, but cosplayers especially are encouraged to join for a chance to play on the board.
If you're a feline fanatic like us, come play Name That Neko! Perhaps you'll discover new anime that highlights these adorable little creatures called cats and maybe win some prizes along the way!
Fight hunger like a hero with Calgary Food Bank staff as they discuss how anime, food, and community are intertwined while discovering the ideal volunteer roles for your favourite anime hero.
Join The Booth Babes in an all ages show girl cosplay dance performance! Enjoy all of the glitz and glam of full cosplay and the glamour of the rhinestones, fans and boas of Show Girls.
Hear about life as an Indigenous Artist, cosplay with cultural education, and Treaty 7 history in this panel by Kristicles AKA Kristy North Peigan, a fulltime Blackfoot artist from Piikani Nation!
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 D&D audience improv game and have your wish fulfilled!
If you've ever seen Game Changer, the only game show where the game changes every show, then you'll definitely understand what's gonna happen here! There will be moments of audience participation.
When will you wear wigs? When you learn how to style them! Join us as we share our most used, beginner-friendly wig styling techniques that are sure to elevate and enhance your next cosplay!
Join the cast of Dork Tales as we lead you through a fully interactive worldbuilding session! With the help of our audience, we'll create a unique world from scratch complete with history, conflicts,
Have you ever watched Family Feud and thought "huh. that would be interesting if it was Anime"? What about participating in that idea? Well, now's your chance! We've got the crunch you've been craving
3rd time's the charm, welcome back to our panel, you will now be blessed with dancing skills~ Join us for a short tutorial and a K-pop random dance for everyone to enjoy.
Cons and cosplay can be a lot for neurodivergent people, so take it from a couple or neurodivergent cosplayers on how you can avoid cosplay overstimulation!
Join us for an hour-long crash course on sewing machines tailored for beginners with no prior experience! This panel will introduce you to the basics of sewing machines and how to wrangle them.
So, you want to start an Actual Play RPG channel? Let the cast of Dork Tales help you! With seven years as a TTRPG channel Twitch and YouTube, we're here to answer all your questions!
Do you want to make the GREATEST Shonen Battle Arc of ALL TIME?? Come to this amazing story creation panel, hosted by Chadimus and Jakob Dawson, and make PEAK FICTION with everyone in the audience!
Learn about applying Lace, appliqués, and rhinestones to already existing cosplays. There will be different grades of stones for you to look at, and the best tips for applying appliqués.
Want to create comics or manga and have no idea where to start? This panel will go over all the ins and outs of tools and steps to get ideas from out of your head and right into your own manga!
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!
Everyone has a favourite waifu, but now you need to prove your worth to them through this challenging and fun game show style battle against players and their waifus to see who's waifu reigns supreme~
Do you like Japanese music? Do you want to broaden your horizons? Do you want to impresses everyone on the aux cord? Then this panel is for you! Come learn & talk about music with like-minded people!
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? Come join our rendition of Werewolf.
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!
What are the best and worst anime inspired video games of all time? Come be a participant in a podcast recorded discussion dedicated to all things in gaming and Anime! Come learn about podcasting!
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.
Come together and participate in light-hearted trivia centred around Genshin Impact! Friendly for new and long-time players alike, showcase your knowledge of lore, characters, locations, and more!
Tired of high school power fantasies? Dive into seinen anime—gritty, surreal, and full of disillusioned businessmen. From Kaiji to Lain, explore the best of mature, thought-provoking anime.
Come with us on a journey through the world of indie otome games, from creation to gameplay, including their efforts in providing (No Suggestions) representation.
We have a mission. To figure out the best fictional dad in all of history. Join us in a bracket style competition to find a new father to adopt us all!
Jump into the world of music making and learn all about anime song writing & production! Get inspired and learn about the skills you need to make your own anime style song. Great for all ages.
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.
The Amiibo tournament returns!, welcome one and all, bring your own amiibos or choose from a select group of amiibos as they battle it out to see who is number on in these tournament style matches~!
Whether it's to old classics, anime or video game music, come show off your skills at rhythm games to everyone or have some casual fun! (Please take off your shoes before your performance!)
A multi-sensory and interactive fund experience where participants must solve puzzles and challenges related to brain injury, to understand the difficulties that can arise from brain injuries.
So you know all your Pokémon, your type matchups, all the moves, items, and have a team. But how do you actually win a competitive Pokémon battle? Step aside Geeta, we've got humans to beat.
The Hunters association needs recruits to close the gates before gate breaks can occur. You have unlocked your power, the Hunter's association must test your power to properly rank and assign you.
Join us for a workshop where you create a mini doujinshi from one sheet of paper in less than 90 minutes! No art experience required, and materials are provided.
OtaFactor contestants take the stage once again for a fun and interactive street performance! Join us for an energizing afternoon of anime covers, jpop, idol/vocaloid, and everything in between.
Pacific Rim (2013) is set during the futuristic year of 2025, so what better way to prepare for Kaiju attacks than testing your drift compatibility with a tournament!
Dive into the secrets of Action Fantasy! Discover the pillars of storytelling, analyze popular tropes, and craft dynamic worlds and characters with this interactive panel for fans and writers alike.
Watch as contestants try to draw Pokémon from memory. The results may be a bit... interesting, but the most accurate drawing wins a sticker each round. Come join the fun and watch the chaos unfold!
Guided hand-in-hand by mentors, experience this immersive and fun guide for FFXIV! We'll prepare you for everything you need to know so you can be well-equipped to step foot into the world of Eorzea!
Use voice acting to enhance your TTRPG sessions! Learn techniques to create unique character voices, embody their personalities, and add depth to your RP. Great for Game Masters and players alike!
MILGRAM is an interactive music project created by DECO*27 and Takuya Yamanaka. We'll go over the 1st trial, then watch the music videos for the 2nd, so this panel is for fans and newcomers alike!
Do you want to work in game audio? Join local award winning game audio professional Dillan Schmitz as he covers all the necessary basics and insider tips to breaking into the game audio Industry!
Ever dreamed of moving to Japan? Join former Japanese Exchange & Teaching Programme (JET) alumni as we take you beyond the anime and show you what living and working in Japan as a foreigner is like.
Returning for a second year - Come test your knowledge for amazing prizes (both official and fan made)! Includes 2 cactpot lotto draws! Come early to increase your chances of playing.
Glean some budget-saving tips from the team at Red Kitten Productions. We talk about where your dollars are best spent, how to maximize your look and minimize the wallet drain! Tips on repurposing mat
Take a deep dive into the second-hand embarrassing, "classic," and un-proportional 90s yaoi manga look (those who know will know) with well-intended BL fans.
Are you thinking about how to sell your art like the amazing artists in artist alley? If so, check out this panel for start up / how to info, tips, tricks, and advice from an artist alley veteran!
Hailing from the Calgary area arrives Tozoku (tow-zoo-co). A young nerdcore artist with an infectious stage presence and bouncy delivery style blending together anime and pop culture references.
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?
Are you wanting to step into the world of competitive cosplay but don't know where to start? Is it intimidating? Join Red Kitten Productions as we help you navigate the big world of cosplay contests!
Jump into the world of singing songs in Japanese and learn some tricks to get better at learning new songs and overcome even the toughest verses! Great for all ages.
What is Nerdlesque? It's Cosplay Burlesque! Learn all about this wonderful and wacky genre of Burlesque and where it came from, and use it to elevate cosplay performance and costumes.
Are feet or armpits sexier? Do tentacles feel guilt? Who is a better romantic partner: Wario or Waluigi? We have no idea. Seriously, this is hard. Come watch us debate anime's most perverted topics!
Have some laughs and some prizes as we come up with answers on the spot to a variety of whacky situations in the Pokémon universe! Would you drink the Squirtle water? Find out here!
Learn how to use design theory principles to create stunning costumes with examples, live demonstrations, and actionable insights to enhance your cosplay design.
Fanfiction is a fantastic creative medium, but it's even better when it's CURSED! Join us in creating our very worst masterpiece yet, and have your name in the credits on the big screen (that is, AO3)
Do you miss the look of retro anime? Do you still watch your worn-out bootleg tapes on a CRT? Are you just an old soul? Come join a bunch of like-minded weirdos for a celebration of the classics!
Hello and welcome back. I return once more to have a frank discussion about the portrayal of Queerness in Anime and Manga. Audience participation is encouraged and there will be cat photos at the end.
It's karaoke time! Have an anime song in mind you want to sing? Then come on in! We'll be using the official Joysound Karaoke app on the Nintendo Switch.
Come on in and learn about the most unhinged medium to grace the otaku sphere as we peruse through various visual novel scenes from a plethora of different genres. Steamy ones included. (・ω
"Guess that fandom" from a list of tags, ships, and other statistics from the popular fan fiction site, Archive Of Our Own (AO3). Bring your phone; we're playing KAHOOT!
An exciting Beyblade tournament with the 4th generation of Beyblades, Beyblade X! Come down to Otafest and compete against other Bladers from different generations.
"Hey, I recognize that song", but do you really? Welcome to Sound Test, where you guess video game songs against other players. But be warned, it may be harder than you think...
Come join us as we teach you how to perform Wotagei (also known as Cyalume Dance; a high-energy dance style performed with chemical glowsticks! (As seen in Oshi no Ko)
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.
What style of stitching that's intricate, yet functional? This style of embroidery dates back four centuries ago! Come learn about the art (and practicality) of sashiko that's become popular again
Join us for a fun, fast-paced jeopardy-style game show based on our beloved Gardenscapes! Show off your Scapes knowledge (or lack thereof) as there are prizes!
As documentary viewers know, Transformers ended in 1986 and then nothing happened until 2007 - or did it? A look into the history of how the Generation One franchise continued on for years in Japan!
"I don't know anything about Final Fantasy XIV, and at this point, I'm too afraid to ask!" Learn basic info about how this massive and beloved game works so you can decide if you'd like to try it out.
Pun intended! Whether you're a seasoned cosplayer or just a person who is interested in dyeing a new shirt, this panel's for you! You'll learn basics to turn something ordinary into colourful.
Come join our panel of Geek Historians as for a Tale of Interest through absurd and hilarious moments in Nerd Culture, with most of us being just as blind to the content as you are!
Want to add a little something extra to your next cosplay or prop? Why not light up the con floor by introducing LED's into your build with a few easy tricks to get you started.
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?
Your guide to buying, collecting and displaying anime and fandom related merch! We'll cover how to avoid bootlegs and scams and stay safe when collecting merch of your faves!
Spoiler warning for Dawntrail! Come test your knowledge (specifically to the newest expansion) for amazing prizes (both official and fan made)! Includes 2 cactpot lotto draws!
If you're new to cosplay or an experienced cosplayer and want to learn about thrifting, altering, sustainability, and finding cosplay second hand on a broke student budget this panel is for you!
Come fellow Laytonites! Let us do puzzles together. And please prove to me I'm not the only person who has played this game? There will be prizes, suspense, intrigue! Show off your brain girl.
Hark! We're doing Deathmatch Jeopardy. That's how you play Jeopardy right? I'll take yes for over 9,000 Alex. Nobody knows what it means but it's provocative.
Build a simple, professional website for your art or cosplay—no coding needed! Perfect for creatives looking to showcase + sell their work. We will have a walkthrough demo and take home resources.
Ever wanted to level up your cosplays in a few easy steps? With a few different seam (and hem!) finishes, you can keep your cosplay (and your sanity) from unraveling, and even impress some judges!
Come one, come all to the unofficial Otafest Splatoon Tournament! Bring your switch and have fun blasting your friends with ink to obtain ultimate victory! The twist? Our MC has never played splatoon!
