Upcoming Events: July

Lots of events happening in July, especially in Ontario.


In B.C:

Vancouver ComiCon  - Vancouver, BC, July 4th

Pretty obvious from it's name, it's a con in Vancouver centering around comics. It runs only on the one day from 11am - 5pm. If you're under 14 you get in free, otherwise admission is $4. 

In Manitoba:

Ai-Kon - Winnipeg, MB, July 16 - 18th
 
A three day event that runs around the clock. With such events as a cosplay masquerade, video game tournaments (with prizes),  Vendors Room, and Artist Alley.
This year they also have a dance, rock concert, AMV contest, Anime LARP, Ball Jointed Doll panel, a forum meet and greet,  a panel about Japanese street fashion, the art of flower arranging, Japanese calligraphy, and a sushi & onigiri workshop just to name a few.

In New Brunswick:

Animinitime - Moncton, NB, July 17

Animaritime this year split into two mini conventions known as Animinitime. The one coming up in July in Moncton, NB is the second of the two. Just to note Animaritime is not gone as they will be going next year. The mini conventions seemed to be more of a temporary solution in order to keep the con in for the year. 

 In Ontario:

Con Bravo! - Oakville, ON , July 3 - 4

This convention caters to comics, anime, and gaming. According to their site convention programming runs from 9am on Saturday all the way through to 8pm on Sunday. So whether you're a night owl or an early morning person there should always be something to do.
Apparently they also have a group called Live Action Mario Party (LAMP) as guests coming. They will be doing a daytime show along with a 18+ late night show.

Polaris - Toronto, ON, July 16 - 18th

I've never been to Polaris but I have to say it looks like a really interesting convention. And I'm basing that only by their side bar menu they have on the site. They have both actors and authors for guests, an art show & auction, a Klingon Assembley, Klingon Karaoke, Model display and contest (all experience levels, and material mediums accepted), a Saturday night dance, and a lot of fun looking workshops (Horror Makeup, Improv, Meditation, and Writers').


TFCon - Toronto, July 17 - 18th

If you're a Transformers fan then this is the con you should go to. It's everything Transformers. 

Northern Anime Festival - Oshawa, ON, July 24 - 25

This event happens over Saturday and Sunday.... however they are doing a special Opening Ceremonies on Friday night as well. Events for the weekend however will include: Saturday Night Jpop Dance, Lolita Cafe, Otaku's Got Talent, and Ouran High School Host Club.
An interesting point I found on their website was that they advertised that if you run 1-2 panels you get $5 off your registration or if you run 3 panels your registration is free.
OF course deadlines for panels is July 3rd.

Kita-Kon - Thunder Bay, ON, July 31 - August 1

And of course to end off July is Kita-Kon. They have some interesting looking events, including: Iron Man Anime Trivia, Name that Anime Tune, and a Flea Market.
This is a fairly new convention having it's start back in 2007 just as a local fan gathering.

Update: Conventions Added to List

The following conventions have been added to the Canadian Convention List 2010:

Red & White Calgary Toy & Comic Expo  - Calgary, AB, October 17th

Vancouver ComiCon  - Vancouver, BC, July 4th

Montreal Comic Con - Montreal, QB, September 11 - 12th

Con*Cept - Montreal, QB, October 1 - 3rd

E3

Ok while not a Canadian event E3 effects us all in the end. So really you should have been paying attention to it this past week. If for some reason you haven't then one of the best places to go is:
www.e3feed.com

You can filter through what you need to there but it's basically all sorts of blogs from people who went and who can tell you about what happened.
By now you can also probably find some of the video of what happened online. I only watched Nintendo's (I mean these keynotes are pretty long) and you can find that one as well as other videos they put up about their stuff here: www.e3.nintendo.com

Of course if you want something really quick to read that summarizes what happened at the keynotes then I suggest checking out this Penny Arcade comic.

Other than that.. I suppose you could just check out some online stores as I've seen some of the stuff already being advertised but it's not nearly as fun.

Sailor Moon Making a Comeback?

If you want to read the whole story go check out Moon Chase.

The basics of it are that Sailor Moon (along with other titles) are up for license and it seems there's a lot of interest from different companies in getting the title.
Being a Sailor Moon fan myself this is exciting news. Should the licensing go through so that Sailor Moon can return here I hope it at the very least means Sailor Stars and the OVA's that weren't originally brought out to our shores makes it here on DVD.

Anime Characters Database

Sure usually when you cosplay you'll pick a character you know and love... but what if you bought that expensive pink wig and want to use it again for a different costume? Or your low on cash so you want to choose someone who maybe already has your hair color and a similar length of hair?

Then you should check out Anime Characters Database.

On this site you can look up characters with the restriction of gender, hair color, hair length, eye color and even apparent age.

It's a great resource. One that should definitely be checked out. Although I would certainly suggest watching the anime or at least doing some reading up on the series after you've found a character you like the looks of. (Trust me, if someone runs up to you and and you know nothing of the character you're dressed as they'll be disappointed.)

DOMO VS LINK - OTAFEST 2010: COSPLAY LARP

Domo vs Link... really what more do you need?

Update: Myth-a-Con added to convention list

Through the powers of Facebook I caught sight of an event in the Calgary area to add into the convention list.

Myth-a-Con - Calgary, AB, Nov 5 - 7th

It's new in name but is taking over a con that has been held for 10 years called ConViction. It's a gamers con with the mission to give the Calgary gamers a place to play for some cool swag.