Discover the art of embroidery in this panel for beginner-friendly panel! Learn basic stitches, tools, and simple techniques to get started. This session will help give you ideas to begin stitching your own designs for your cosplay.
Join your fellow Monster Hunter fans as we meet to debate and theorycraft the lore of Monster Hunter, CAPCOM’s hit action game! The hosts, Jakob & Chadimus, will provide insightful (and comedic) analysis on this wild franchise!
AMVs can be more than just footage cleverly cut to music alone. Learn how sound effects and voice over can be utilized to take AMVs to a whole new level!
One, Two, Three… Ready—? Come dance your heart out to not only Hatsune Miku, but other Vocaloid Hits and Project Sekai Songs in this VOCA/SEKAI Random Play Dance! This panel is sure to a M@GICAL☆CURE! (LOVE SHOT!) for a boring morning!
Are you wanting to step into the world of competitive cosplay but all the terminology confuses you? Are you wondering what goes into a “good” competition piece? Let us make competitive cosplayers out of you!
Ever wondered who invented manga? Or where your favourite mangaka got their influence? Then this panel is for you! From conflicting theories of manga's origin to cults inspired by 80s shoujo, this panel has it all!
Want to learn how to build a world? Join Dork Tales for an interactive worldbuilding session! Together, we'll build a world from scratch and teach you techniques to help you build unique settings for your own stories and campaigns!
Is Link happy? Could you survive an isekai? Cats vs. Dogs: Which make better girls? Join the Zapp crew in this comedy debate panel, where debaters argue the absurd, answering the most bizarre anime questions you wish you'd never asked!
Cosplay and artist talk about Indigenous experience in identity and cosplay, heavily focused on Kristicles' experience overlapping her artist and cosplay experiences into 1 career. Also come to learn basic Treaty 7 history!
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Beast Wars: Transformers (or Beasties for us Canucks!) But over in Japan, they did much more than just localize a Canadian show! An exploration of the history of the Japanese Beast Wars cartoons and toys!
Come learn to draw manga with an artist! Learn techniques like lettering, cinematic panels, thumbnailing, and more! All participants are welcome - if you can sketch out a manga page (using our provided template), there’s a prize waiting for you!
Want to be a streamer? Want to Be a Vtuber? This Panel is for you! Experienced Streamers can help break down your channel and show you where to look into improvement! Veteran or new this panel is for you!
Think you know Pokémon? Do you think you know it well enough to correct our Pokémon experts? Then come flex your Pokémon knowledge at this panel based on the hit Dropout.tv game show!
Have a burning desire to share your vision with others online? Interested in seeing the behind-the-scenes process for how videos are made for YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok? Chadimus and Jakob Dawson have the answers for you! Come to this Q&A-style e
Want to start with Cosplay but don't know where to start? Have a friend or kid that really wants to dress up and you need help figuring out what's up? Stop by and I'll give you the basics of Cosplay, the Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How.
Missed out on last year's Change the Game? Fear not, for the off-brand spinoff of the viral comedy game show makes a comeback at Otafest 2026! Don't miss out on 2 all-new games and the return of 1 fan-favourite! There will be audience participation.
In this anime-fuelled twist on the classic social game Two Rooms and a Boom, heroes and villains from over 75 anime universes collide in a battle of deception, alliances, and explosive powers!
Ever wanted to get into cosplay making but are afraid of patterns, sewing, and hand crafting each detail? Worry not! Come learn with us as we dive into the world of Cosplay Upcycling!
If you want to make your own manga this panel is for you. I'll be covering all the ins and outs of how to take a manga from just an idea in your head to a fully finished piece!
A brief exploration of Victorian-era history and aesthetics in anime, focusing on gothic atmosphere, class conflict, and how 19th-century settings are reimagined through stylized storytelling.
What does 'Miyazaki's retirement' look like? Grab prompts from simple titles to abstract concepts, draw digitally while the audience shout guesses. Artists earn points to redeem for prizes, correct guessers get candy. Artistic ability optional.
A look into the overlapping patterns found in media with monsters and why people desire the monsters in question, carnally. (Also know as THAT monster lover panel)
Alien Stage has taken the alien world by storm, and its upcoming season is planned to be just as exciting! Contestants must sing for their survival, as the loser faces on-the-spot termination. Let me introduce you to the show and then we'll watch it!
“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!
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!
Do you have horrible taste in men? Women? Monsters? Don't worry, we all do. Come and present your strange and weird anime crushes as our panel of expert judges judge your tastes and rate your choices!
Lights, music, and more! In this panel learn new and exciting ways to spice up your tabletop play from experts in the field. Learn from our experiences and mistakes how to take your gaming to the next level!
Does fabric baffle you? Are seams scary? No more! Learn about the basics of fabric and sewing, and what you need to get started in creating your first sewn cosplay!!
Power Rangers? Masked Rider? Spider-Man? Tokusatsu is a diverse & long-standing genre of media involving special effects. But why should you, an anime fan, care about it? In this panel, you will learn what Tokusatsu is & its influence on anime.
Have you heard that you need to write a “build book” for an upcoming competition and don’t know exactly how? Come to this panel all about building books! We’ll walk you through the “how” of writing a build book and share our own examples as masters.
Previously known as Friends of OtaFactor. We are back again this year to light up the stage with a fun and interactive singing performance! The music will be a mix of anime, J-pop, video games, and everything in between!
Learn how to get started making Anime music videos from a editor with over a decade of experience in the hobby! Come to be educated, inspired, and entertained by some cool AMVs in the process!
Inspired by Dropout’s iconic Game Changer episode and spin off series, Make Some Noise. Come on down and get involved as you improv your way through a series of Otafest inspired prompts.
Is that a bird? A plane? No… it’s… Pidgeot? Come draw Pokémon from memory and have a couple giggles and goofs with us. White boards and markers will be provided.
The classic rhythm game from the 90s and early 2000s makes its way to Otafest! Please take off your shoes (and have socks) before joining in on the fun
How well do you know your favourite Vocaloid tunes? Put your skills to the test with this Vocaloid song guessing game! Whether you started out with Project Sekai or have been a long-time Vocaloid fan, there's a tune in here you're sure to know!
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!
It's back!! Deal or no Deal featuring your favourite waifus (and husbandos?!) in six rounds of finding out if your waifu/husbando is trash or cash. P.S. Your waifu is trash :3
You build it, we perform it! Come to this amazing panel, hosted by Chadimus and Jakob Dawson, and see the Shonen story we create together come to life as an on-stage theatre performance! Build the dream; see the legend.
Returning for a third 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.
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!
The scene of Umamusume's next Champions' Meeting falls upon Calgary... it's the OtaDerby! Bring your best team of 3 Veteran Umamusume and win races against your rivals for fame, glory and horse-themed riches!
Yaoi vs. Yuri, which is the purest form of love? Cowgirl's vs. Cow Girls, how much can we milk this joke? Come watch our degenerates debate the perverse, the lascivious, and the highly inappropriate, in this 18+ adult only extra spicy Nerd Debate!
A social game of deduction where 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?
In this talk I will prepare you for what it takes and what is needed to break into game audio. I will cover tools, skills, networking, contracts, portfolios and much more alongside offering my own experience and opinions on the game audio industry.
Have a passion or lifelong pursuit that you want to bring to cosplay? Favourite anime or manga scene you want to re-enact but in your own way? This panel can help give you ideas.
Hey remember us? We're back for our 3rd year baby!!! Guess that poorly described anime is that gameshow where you guess anime based off our bad descriptions. Come join for prizes and unforgettable moments. (For those who don't know it's just our title.)
Learn about wargames and how to command a miniature army of catgirls and bishounen vampires against your friend's shinigami and ninjas! One Page Rules is a free wargame that lets you use any miniatures you want.
In this anime-fuelled twist on the classic social game Two Rooms and a Boom, heroes and villains from over 75 anime universes collide in a battle of deception, alliances, and explosive powers!
“Unwind after a long day at the con and join your favourite love interests for some irresistible fan-service at the destiny cafe~ Our charming male leads have prepared a series of exciting minigames and entertainment for all MC's"
Wanna learn your favourite idol dances, but don't know where to start?? Come learn the basics on where to start and how to improve once you start in your favourite dances! Whether its Kpop or Jpop we will teach you how to start your dance journey!
Our appeal is who doesn't wanna nerd out about their favourite anime topics and debate each other for bragging rights? Come to our debate club so we can find out who the best waifu/husbando.
If you've ever taken a world history class, you might recognize the name Hatsune Miku. Scholars across various fields have long debated who or what Hatsune Miku truly is. Until today.
Lend me thine ears for the topic of: if villain so bad, why so hot? Who sits at the intersection of villainy and rizz? Who's the villain you hate to love? Only attendees will get the sizzling answers to these burning questions. Rated M for Mature.
I'm sure you've heard tale of the masterpieces we've created before. Come join us, relive our 2025 masterpiece, and help us make something better. Or worse, maybe? Bring your most cursed ideas and help write something horrible, together!
Do you love JRPGs and their soundtracks? Think you know your Final Fantasies from your Chrono Triggers from your Fire Emblems? Join us and showcase your OST knowledge with our selection of all-time classics, deeper cuts, and more!
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.
Ever sew a pattern according to your size and have it not fit? Don't understand the language or markings being used? We will be covering how to read and utilize patterns of all types, how to use their fit adjustments and more!
From toxic GMs to creepy players, the world of TTRPGs can be a scary place! Join Havoc from Red Kitten Productions as they go over how to keep your game off r/rpghorrorstories while maximizing the fun!
Join us for an amazing panel discussing how to cosplay on a tight budget and do so in an environmentally friendly way! We discuss handmade cosplay, thrifting cosplay, cosplay competitions and more!
Did you know what inspired the armour of your favourite medieval fantasy character like Guts from Berserk? What about the swordsmanship in your favourite anime like Askeladd from Vinland Saga? Come on down to Summoned to become a Master of Arms!
Discover how to use voice acting to enhance your TTRPG sessions! Learn techniques to create unique character voices, embody their personalities, and add depth to role-playing. Whether you're a player or a Game Master, this panel will help you bring u
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.
Tired of Dungeons? Sick of Dragons? Fear not! There’s a whole world of incredible tabletop games waiting for you! In this panel, we’ll showcase must-play TTRPGs that offer fresh mechanics, wild settings, and unique roleplay experiences. From cozy sli
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?
Boo! It's a serger! But let's Scooby-doo take the sheet off this scary monster and demystify what it can and can't do. I'll thread a serger, and make a t-shirt. Come chitchat and have fun!
Basilisks, Kelpies, Krakens & Minotaurs! Golem grown vegetables to armour mollusks: are these dishes truly delicious?—You, the audience, will debate and decide! For glory, for prizes, & for fun!
Ever dreamed of traveling to Japan but your wallet said “yikes”? Join former JET alumni as we take you beyond the anime with real tips to save those yennies! From takoyaki to Tokyo Tower—yes, you can do it all on a budget! Games and hacks included!
Look, we all know that it's bad to play with yourselves, so come play with us instead! Compete with your friends, complete strangers, and maybe even one of us, in a bunch of completely bizarre mystery games we are 95% sure you've never even heard of!
Have you ever wondered how games like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat came about? Why are they so popular? Come find out as we tell you all about the history of the fighting game genre!
Join us to play Over The Garden Wall Trivia! Grab your Jason Funderberker, don your elephant costume, & gather the courage to talk to Sara. Prizes will be won! Coziness will be achieved! A reliable internet connection & cellphone are required to play
Join us once again for a perfect evening of singing along to your favourite Disney Songs. From new to old, popular to niche, "that was Disney?"-- we have a little bit of it all! (But don't worry, it's mostly the catchy ones)
Have you ever been interested in one of the various anime card games out there? We'll showcase each anime-based card game that people play and you can see which one's for you!
Drop on by and learn about how the visual novel medium uses experimental storytelling to reinvent common tropes and conventions while sampling scenes from various genres of visual novels. Beware, this may get lewd... and unhinged. ;)
This panel is to bring awareness before con ends if you pursue your streaming, content creation, etc. have you ever thought about wanting to do something but life gets in the way? come and visit my panel and let's discuss and share ideas!
This panel presents you the ultimate guide to the Umamusume: Pretty Derby! relationships! From pedigrees to family trees, you will learn the ins and outs of the legacies of famous Japanese race horses featured in the Global release of the game.
