Anime Ottawa 2026: Heroes, Monsters, Romantics, and a Whole Lot of Music
The third edition of Anime Ottawa is set to transform the EY Centre into Canada's premier Japanese and Asian fantasy epicenter from April 3 to 5, 2026. Anime enthusiasts from across the nation will gather to meet iconic stars, hunt for rare manga, discover exclusive figurines, chase collectibles, engage in cosplay, party, and revel in the pulsating music from their favorite shows. For fans of legendary series like Demon Slayer, My Hero Academia, Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball, Dandadan, Naruto, Pokémon, KPop Demon Hunters, and many other hits, there will be no better place to spend Easter weekend with family and friends before heading out for evening feasts.
Featured Guests: Voice Acting Icons
Attendees will have the unique opportunity to meet some of the most recognizable voices from the anime and gaming worlds. Celebrity guests include:
- Risa Mei, known for roles in Zenless Zone Zero, Genshin Impact, and Honkai: Star Rail
- Griffin Burns, famous for Demon Slayer, Genshin Impact, and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
- Paul Castro Jr., featured in The Summer Hikaru Died, Disney's Twisted Wonderland, and Genshin Impact
- Anne Yatco, with roles in Genshin Impact, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Digimon
Programming: A Weekend of Nonstop Entertainment
This year's edition will feature two major stages: the Main Events stage in Hall 1 and the Entertainment stage in Hall 4, offering a weekend packed with continuous and exciting performances. Additionally, numerous panels, workshops, guest Q&A sessions, and programming for all ages and tastes will be held in Meeting Rooms A through D.
The opening ceremony on Friday at 10:30 a.m. will launch a musically charged program, starting with Melody of Japan. Later that day, participants can showcase their best moves at the Dance Showcase before attending a concert by Zenbu Kimi no Sei da, a Japanese "Yami-Kawaii" (morbidly cute) alt-idol girl group that fuses EDM and industrial rock.
Saturday and Sunday Highlights
Saturday promises a nonstop anime adventure with events like the Sprinkles Idol Fest, highlighting singing and dancing artists inspired by Japanese pop icons, odorites, and anime idols; a concert by the Ottawa Guitar Trio; and the Masquerade and Cosplay-Eh!™, where some of the finest cosplayers in the country will display their creations.
Sunday will mark the event's premiere of Vocaparty, celebrating the magic of Vocaloid, Yamaha's voice synthesizer software, in an original virtual concert experience featuring mesmerizing visuals, dynamic choreography, and hit covers specially arranged for the show. With its holo-style 3D screen, Vocaparty will be a celebration of music, technology, and fan community.
Comedy and Shopping
Throughout the weekend, the 404s Improv Comedy Troupe will invite attendees to take hilarious breaks from exploring aisles filled with specialized retailers offering manga, anime, and an impressive array of toys, collectibles, and memorabilia. The full schedule will be available 7 to 10 days before the start of the event.
Industry Context: Anime's Mainstream Rise
Anime and manga have firmly entered the mainstream in 2026, with an estimated 50% of Netflix's global subscriber base watching anime. Audiences on platforms like Crunchyroll and Amazon Prime are not far behind. Canada ranks among the 9th to 10th largest anime markets outside Japan, and the global manga market is expected to grow from $16.28 billion in 2025 to $19.01 billion in 2026, reflecting the growing popularity and economic impact of this cultural phenomenon.
