UlasanAnime.com – Otakuthon 2018 proved to be a memorable event, with the primary draw for many, including myself, being the musical performances. The Japanese band fhana was a major highlight, marking their final tour stop in North America. This raises questions about the extent of their tour, especially considering stops in countries like the Philippines and China, and the limited availability of stop-specific merchandise for international dates.
Beyond fhana’s electrifying performance, Montreal itself offered a vibrant atmosphere for Otakuthon attendees. The local anikura (anime club) scene was particularly active, featuring notable artists like Lia, who performed some of her well-known hits. The presence of Maidreaming, a group of three maids offering wota culture experiences and cheki (instant photos), added another layer of entertainment. Anisong rocker Nishizawa Shiena also graced the event with her presence, delivering a fantastic performance. While there were other guests, these were the ones who captured my attention, alongside the opportunity to explore Montreal’s culinary delights and attractions.
Arriving on Friday, I managed to coordinate accommodation with fellow East Coast Americans heading north. This arrangement led to a shared ride back, making me ponder the efficiency of carpooling. The early arrival provided ample time to explore the city and savor its famous bagels. The convenience of a VIP badge meant bypassing the lengthy registration lines, which were quite substantial despite Otakuthon’s new mailout option for pre-registered attendees. This was the first year for many of these logistical changes, and it led to some amusing moments, such as VIP badge holders attempting to cut into established queues.
For the main events, organization was generally better, with a dedicated VIP priority line. However, this priority access wasn’t extended to all event rooms, leading to some confusion. Panel discussions were standard for conventions, with guest panels being particularly engaging. The fhana panel, hosted by House of Jrock North, unexpectedly blended promotional content with actual band programming, possibly due to scheduling constraints. Shiena’s schedule was limited to Sunday, focusing on her concert and autograph session. Lia, while not having a formal panel, also conducted autograph sessions and promoted IA merchandise. The local anikura event, Mongreal, offered a basic yet enjoyable experience.
Mongreal, an anikura event held at a local community center, provided a minimalist yet engaging wota experience. Attending Otakuthon also provided a valuable opportunity to reconnect with friends and acquaintances, with many unexpected reunions taking place. The culinary experiences in Montreal were a definite plus, with the favorable exchange rate allowing for more indulgences, including alcoholic beverages.
This year’s Otakuthon saw a change in autograph session logistics, with dedicated areas for these interactions. The dealer’s room had expanded, situated adjacent to the queueing area for major events. I didn’t spend a significant amount of time browsing the dealer’s room.
The concert experience was significantly enhanced by the ability to stand at the front for fhana and Shiena’s performances. Although the setup was somewhat sudden, it allowed for a more immersive live experience. During fhana’s set, they performed “World Atlas,” which featured a segment perfect for flag-waving. I ended up purchasing extra flags, having forgotten to bring one to the initial autograph session. I also acquired some merchandise from Lia, as I hadn’t brought any of my own. The spending at Jrock North was considerable. fhana’s Montreal performance, while less focused on tie-in songs, was generally superior to their Chicago show. The absence of a complete run-through of their new album felt like a welcome compromise, and hearing the rock outros for songs like “Relief” and “Calling” again was a treat.
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Shiena’s concert was a solid hour-long performance, showcasing a mix of rock-infused and standard vocal delivery. While the crowd’s energy was high, a longer set might have encouraged more active participation, and the presence of a barrier could have been beneficial.
One of the unique aspects of attending Otakuthon is experiencing Montreal as a French-speaking city. However, it’s worth noting the ongoing overlap with Anirevo Summer in Vancouver, which this year also boasted an impressive lineup of guests and events.
PS. Food-wise, I revisited Schwarz and also tried a French brasserie near the convention center. Both offered good, though somewhat pricey, dining experiences.
Adjacent to the Intercontinental hotel, a shopping mall area housed a bagel shop. While not the absolute best bagels, they were certainly satisfying, especially with the variety of spreads available.
