Otakuthon 2019 Pre-Coverage

Anthony Issa

Games Editor

Otakuthon is one of my favorite summer events. As an anime fan, I always find Otakuthon has everything one could want and more. To anime screenings, cosplay competitions and artist alleys, Otakuthon is dedicated to otaku culture. Something that has always pleased me about the convention is its broad and diverse line-up of activities. While the festivities do heavily reflect the otaku lifestyle, there has always been a warm space for video games. Games are an important trait of otaku culture with genres such as JRPG’s, 2D fighters and visual novels being heavily engrained within the heart of anime fans. I mean, games like Pokemon, Digimon and Yu-Gi-Oh were my first gateway to anime. But I digress, what I’m trying to say is that Otakuthon has gamers covered and is a great convention to attend.

With the inclusion of the Games Hall, even non watchers or casual anime fans will find stuff to do at the convention. Tournaments are held for titles such as CS: GO, Overwatch, Dota 2, League of Legends and much more. There is a plethora of demos and new titles that you can try out at booths. You can even find copies of old games in the merchandise area if you are a game collector.  Yet, I’m only scratching the surface. Otakuthon often has notable guests and panels dedicated to the community of eastern and western games. A notable example this year would be Dan Salvato, the mastermind behind the hit indie game Doki Doki Literature Club, who will be attending as a guest. In terms of studio appearances, there will also be indie developers present at the con such as Zeiva Inc.; who have produced many visual novels like Voices from the Sea and Animal Complex. Another big gaming related event held at Otakuthon is the famous Orchestre de jeux video (OJV) concert: an orchestral concert with over 150 musicians that bring beloved soundtracks from classic video game series to life. This year they will be doing live arrangements from The Legend of Zelda series and the concert will be held at 1 p.m. on August 18^th.

To wrap things up, I hope I’ve given a pleasant taste of what to expect at the convention. I will be attending Otakuthon with excitement this year and so should you. I’ve made so many wonderful memories in the past and this convention is never a disappointment. For those who are interested, the event will be held on August 16th to the 18^th at Palais des congrès de Montreal near Place-d’Armes Metro station. Other information can be found on the convention’s website. Cheers to those who attend. I wish you a nice time and a wonderful experience.