Animethon is a Japanese Animation (“anime”) themed festival held annually in the city of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. We have expanded our focus beyond screening anime and now also include voice actor guests from North America, musical acts from North America and Japan, improvisation groups, as well as various related activities such as gaming, costume contests, and more. Animethon, as of 2004, is operated by the Alberta Society for Asian Popular Arts (ASAPA).

Our History

Animethon started back in 1994 by the Banzai Anime Klub of Alberta (BAKA), with the intent of promoting Japanese anime. It became a success by presenting well-known and more obscure anime to audiences, and has since grown to what it is now. Today, Animethon is presented by the not-for-profit Alberta Society for Asian Popular Arts (ASAPA).

In the beginning, Animethon was a one-day event that allowed people to view different Japanese Anime movies and television shows within two classrooms at Grant MacEwan. Since Animethon 2, the festival has grown to utilize the entirety of the University campus for events, artist alley, education panels, and a large vendor hall. As such, the steady increase of numbers in attendees to Animethon has allowed for various vendors to expose themselves to a unique group of people both young and old.

A Taste of Animethon was first created in 2010. While nowhere near the size of Animethon itself it's been a successful event in its own right with a steadily growing attendance. In 2013 we moved venues to the Ramada Inn and Conference Centre. In 2016 we moved again to the Shaw Conference Centre so we could enjoy a larger venue!

Animethon Summary

Animethon	Att.	Guests
11 (2004)	-	Debbie Munro and the 404s
12 (2005)	-	Brian Dobson, Debbie Munro, Rob Bakewell and the 404s
13 (2006)	3,450	Brian Dobson, Cole Howard, Debbie Munro, Kirby Morrow, Michael Dobson, Randy Brososky, Tom Edwards. Trevor Devall, Consplayers.com and PikminLink and the 404s
14 (2007)	4,349	Kyle Hebert, Matt Greenfield, Tiffany Grant, Trevor Devall, Vic Mignogna and the 404s
15 (2008)	4,679	Michael Daingerfield, Kyle Hebert, Randy Brososky, Sonny Strait, Stephen Notley, and the 404s
16 (2009)	4,881	The Slants, Aaron Dismuke, Brad Swaile, Caitlin Glass, Michael Daingerfield, Paul Dobson, and the 404s
17 (2010)	4,753	L33tStr33t Boys, Thwomp , Brian Dobson, Chris Cason, Kyle Hebert , Michael Dobson, Paul Dobson , Spike Spencer, Wendy Powell, The 404's and Synoptic Chaos Theatre
18 (2011)	5,346	Bespa Kumamero, L33tStr33t Boys, Kirby Morrow, Todd Haberkorn, Trina Nishimura, The 404's and Synoptic Chaos Theatre
19 (2012)	6,404	Daizy Stripper, Eyeshine, Johnny Yong Bosch, Todd Haberkorn, Cathy Weseluck, Nolan Cunningham, Thomas Perlinski, Sylvia Feketekuty, The 404s, Synaptic Chaos Theatre
20 (2013)	8,058	Kanon Wakeshima, Capella, DJ Shimamura, Christopher Sabat, Patrick Seitz, Troy Baker, Carol-Anne Day, Lucas Gilbertson, Brendan Hunter, The 404s, Twinfools and Nova, Combofiend, TheIshter, Booming Tree Taiko
21 (2014)	8,728	An Cafe, Satsuki Yukino, Magistina Saga, Cristina Vee, Cherami Leigh, Monica Rial, Karen Strassman, Vensy, The 404s, TheIshter
22 (2015)	9,468	Flow, Josh Grelle, Christine Marie Cabanos, Sarah Williams, Carrie Keranen, Brendan Hunter, Jamie Marchi, Brina Palencia, Liui Aquino, The 404s

ATOA Summary

ATOA	Venue	Att.	Guests
2010	Grant MacEwan University (104 Ave)	600	Synoptic Chaos Theatre
2011	Grant MacEwan University (104 Ave)	800	The 404s
2012	Grant MacEwan University (104 Ave)	1,200	Synoptic Chaos Theatre
2013	Ramada Inn and Conference Centre (Kingsway)	1,505	The 404s
2014	Ramada Inn and Conference Centre (Kingsway)	2,295	Kyle Hebert, The 404s, TheIshter
2015	Ramada Inn and Conference Centre (Kingsway)	2,371	Bryce Papenbrook, The 404s, Courtney 'Courtoon' Morelock (via teleconference)
2016	Shaw Conference Centre	3065	Reika, Colleen Clinkenbeard, Misako Aoki, The 404s, TheIshter

NOTES:

• Attendance is based on total unique sum of attendees, staff, volunteers, panelists, etc.
• Attendance numbers are listed for optimal comparison. Prior to Animethon 13 (2006) we had a different pass structure and counted attendees differently as well. Thus those numbers are not listed here.