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Anime Revolution

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Anime Revolution
StatusActive
VenueVancouver Convention Centre
Metro Toronto Convention Centre
LocationsVancouver, British Columbia
Toronto, Ontario
CountryCanada
InauguratedAugust 17, 2012 (2012-08-17)[1]
Attendance25,128 (2019)
Organized byAnime Revolution Events Inc.
Websitewww.animerevolution.ca

Anime Revolution (abbreviated as Anirevo) is a three-day anime convention held annually in August in Vancouver, BC.[2] Initially held in the East Wing of the Vancouver Convention Centre (Canada Place), it has been held in the newer West Wing since 2017 before expanding eastward to Toronto's Metro Toronto Convention Centre beginning in 2025.

While the name is similar, the convention has no connection to Anime Evolution.[3]

Programming

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Rave event at Anime Revolution 2024.

Anime Revolution is notable for being the first anime convention in Vancouver to host voice actor guests from Japan and often features high-profile recording session performances.[4] They also regularly bring in representatives from North American anime distributors such as Bandai and Crunchyroll. Their regular programming includes anime and AMV screenings, voice actor panels, as well as stage events including cosplay shows and the 70s Anime Dating Show.[5] Other events have included contests, industry/fan panels, workshops, vendor and artist rooms, video game groups, concerts, raves/masquerades and photo shoots.

Mascot

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The Mascot for Anime Revolution is Senkaku Mei, or Senmei for short. She is a blunt, spontaneous, energetic attention grabber who loves to be the center of attention. She can usually be found dressed in her race-queen outfit with her two mini megaphones.[6] A live action version of Senmei was portrayed by cosplay model Jessica Nigri in 2013.[7]

History

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Anime Revolution was launched in 2012 to meet demand for a new anime-focused convention in Metro Vancouver, after Anime Evolution (run by AE Convention Corp) had been cancelled in 2010.[3] The convention was founded by Can Ngo, who serves as its current president.[8]

Since it began, the convention has grown significantly, being the first anime convention in Metro Vancouver to surpass 10,000 attendees[9][10] and eventually expanding its audience to more areas of Japanese pop culture such as gunpla and maid cafés.

As of 2026, it is the largest anime convention in Western Canada.[11]

From 2016 to 2020, a separate winter event was also held, but has now been discontinued in favour of a single annual summer convention.[12]

The event was cancelled from 2020 to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It resumed in 2022, with masks being mandatory.[13]

In 2025, Anime Revolution expanded to Eastern Canada with the launch of Anime Revolution Toronto. The inaugural event was held from November 21 to 23 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.[14]

Event history

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Anime Revolution Vancouver

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Dates Location Attendance Guests
August 17–19, 2012 Vancouver Convention Centre
Vancouver, British Columbia		5,233[1]Noah Antwiler, Stephanie Beard, Vincent Corazza, Sarah Edmondson, Fighting Dreamers Productions, Katie Griffin, Terri Hawkes, Irulanne, Sam Logan, Katie Marsden, Angela "Jam" Melick, Jouji Nakata, Mark Nguyen, Jessica Nigri, Susan Roman, Ron Rubin, Lee Tockar, Doug Walker.[1]
August 16–18, 2013 Vancouver Convention Centre
Vancouver, British Columbia		7,326[15]The 404s, Angelic Pretty, Fighting Dreamers Productions, Toru Furuya, Caitlin Glass, Todd Haberkorn, Cherami Leigh, Vic Mignogna, Jessica Nigri, Origa, Newton Pittman, Dean Redman, Chantal Strand, Doug Walker, Kappei Yamaguchi.[15]
August 22–24, 2014 Vancouver Convention Centre
Vancouver, British Columbia		12,177[10]The 404s, Angelic Pretty, Fighting Dreamers Productions, Yaya Han, Marina Inoue, Mike McFarland, Lindze Merrit, Vic Mignogna, Jessica Nigri, Megumi Ogata, Origa, Lisa Ortiz, Dean Redman, Michael Sinterniklaas.[10]
August 14–15, 2015 Vancouver Convention Centre
Vancouver, British Columbia		~15,000[16]The 404s, Yuu Asakawa, Laura Bailey, Richard Ian Cox, Fighting Dreamers Productions, Grant George, Nobuyuki Hiyama, Kotoko, Dean Redman, Takeshi Takedera, Thelshter, Greg Wicker, Travis Willingham.[17]
August 5–7, 2016 Vancouver Convention Centre
Vancouver, British Columbia		~17,000[18]The 404s, Caitlyn Bairstow, Yugene Fay, Fighting Dreamers Productions, Ayumi Fujimura, Tiffany Grant, Loverin Tamburin, Tony Oliver, Romi Park, Chris Patton, Toshihiko Seki, The Slants, Takeshi Takedera, Cristina Vee, Greg Wicker.[19]
August 4–6, 2017 Vancouver Convention Centre
Vancouver, British Columbia		~20,000[citation needed]The 404s, Fighting Dreamers Productions, Katsuyuki Konishi, Kana Ueda, Shizuka Itō, Emiri Katō, Takeshi Takadera, DJ WILDPARTY, MON 夢, STAYXXXX, Lady Zero, Narcisse, Alyson Tabbitha, Junkers, J5, Austin Tindle, Erica Lindbeck, Aaron Dismuke, Todd Haberkorn, ProJared, Digitrevx.[20]
August 3–5, 2018 Vancouver Convention Centre
Vancouver, British Columbia		~20,000[citation needed]Kappei Yamaguchi, Marina Inoue, Satsuki Yukino, Hitomi Nabatame, Takeshi Takadera, TeddyLoid, Clifford Chapin, Baozi & Hana, SungWon Cho, Sarah Wiedenheft, Richard Ian Cox, Fighting Dreamers Productions, Baylee Jae, The 404s, The Fictionals, Jacob Powers.[21]
August 9–11, 2019 Vancouver Convention Centre
Vancouver, British Columbia		25,128The 404s, Asaka, SungWon Cho, Takeshi Takadera, David Vincent.[22]
July 29–31, 2022 Vancouver Convention Centre
Vancouver, British Columbia		The 404's, Graham Hamilton, Tōru Furuya, Katsuyuki Konishi, Brian Drummond, Toby Proctor, Cathy Weseluck.[23]
August 18–20, 2023 Vancouver Convention Centre
Vancouver, British Columbia		The 404's, Graham Hamilton, Terri Hawkes, Bryce Papenbrook, Ninomae Ina'nis, Masakazu Morita, Takeshi Takadera, Ian Hanlin, Caitlyn Bairstow, Brian Doe Chua[24]
August 9–11, 2024 Vancouver Convention Centre
Vancouver, British Columbia		The 404's, Jonah Scott, Griffin Burns, Ben Balmaceda, Graham Hamilton, A.K. Wirru, FearFiction, Twinfools, Sakura Elric, Dokibird, Yurie Igoma, Megumi Han, Rumi Okubo, Takeshi Takadera, TRUE, ZAQ, DJ NaoH[25]
August 1–3, 2025 Vancouver Convention Centre
Vancouver, British Columbia		The 404s, Amber Lee Connors, Graham Hamilton, Ian Hanlin, Cole Howard, Reiji Kawashima, Minami Kuribayashi, DJ NaOH, Zeno Robinson, Takeshi Takadera, Suzie Yeung[26]
July 31-August 2, 2026 Vancouver Convention Centre
Vancouver, British Columbia

Anime Revolution Toronto

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Dates Location Attendance Guests
November 21–23, 2025 Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Toronto, Ontario
November 13–15, 2026 Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Toronto, Ontario

Controversies

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Sex offender attendance

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In 2019, Anime Revolution faced intense criticism after allowing convicted sex offenders Bram Kleiman and Alex McMullen to attend the event. Kleiman had been previously banned from Anime Revolution due to harassment. However, he attempted to attend the convention anyways, leading to a confrontation with president Can Ngo upon his arrival. A letter from Kleiman’s psychiatrist was presented which stated that he was not a threat to the public, and his mother informed Ngo that Kleiman would be attending with his girlfriend as a chaperone. Additionally, Kleiman used his autism spectrum disorder diagnosis as an explanation for his past behaviour. Based on this information, Ngo ultimately chose to allow Kleiman to attend the event. McMullen attended the event for one day but left early due to posts circulating about his presence at AniRevo.[27] On August 15, 2019, an apology was posted on Anime Revolution’s website for allowing the two individuals to attend. They were explicitly banned from all future events.[28]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Anime Revolution 2012 Information". AnimeCons.ca. Archived from the original on 2019-06-19. Retrieved 2019-06-19.
  2. ^ "Highlights from Anime Revolution 2015 (with videos)". The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 2016-08-14.
  3. ^ a b "Evolution vs. Revolution: A Tale of Two Anime Conventions". Geek's Dream Girl. Archived from the original on 2014-10-25. Retrieved 2019-06-19.
  4. ^ "Japanese anime voice actors showcase their skills in live recording at AniRevo 2016". The Georgia Straight. 11 August 2016. Retrieved 2016-08-14.
  5. ^ "BeatRoute goes to AniRevo 2014 at the Vancouver Convention Centre". BeatRoute. Archived from the original on 2016-04-15. Retrieved 2016-08-14.
  6. ^ "Senkaku Mei". Anime Revolution. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  7. ^ "Anime Revolution 2013: Jessica Nigri Photos". Daily Hive. 19 December 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  8. ^ "Hello Toronto – A Letter From the Founder of Anirevo". Retrieved 3 June 2026.
  9. ^ "25 photos of the best cosplays at Anime Revolution 2015". Vancity Buzz. Archived from the original on 2016-08-28. Retrieved 2016-08-14.
  10. ^ a b c "Anime Revolution 2014 Information". AnimeCons.ca. Archived from the original on 2019-06-19. Retrieved 2019-06-19.
  11. ^ "Anime Revolution". Retrieved 3 June 2026.
  12. ^ "Ani Winter Fes 2020 Information". Retrieved 3 June 2026.
  13. ^ "Anime convention in Vancouver brings together hundreds of fans". Retrieved 3 June 2026.
  14. ^ "Anirevo Toronto 2025 Information". Retrieved 3 June 2026.
  15. ^ a b "Anime Revolution 2013 Information". AnimeCons.ca. Retrieved 2019-06-19.
  16. ^ "[ANIREVO SUMMER 2017] Opening Ceremony (Full)". youtube.com. Event occurs at 6:10. Archived from the original on 24 July 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  17. ^ "Anime Revolution 2015 Information". AnimeCons.ca. Archived from the original on 2019-06-19. Retrieved 2016-08-10.
  18. ^ "[ANIREVO SUMMER 2017] Opening Ceremony (Full)". youtube.com. Event occurs at 6:10. Archived from the original on 24 July 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  19. ^ "Anime Revolution 2016 Information". AnimeCons.ca. Archived from the original on 2019-06-19. Retrieved 2016-08-10.
  20. ^ "Anime Revolution 2017 Information". AnimeCons.ca. Archived from the original on 2019-06-19. Retrieved 2017-08-20.
  21. ^ "Anirevo Summer 2018 Information". AnimeCons.ca. Retrieved 2017-08-20.
  22. ^ "Anirevo Summer 2019 Information". AnimeCons.ca. Archived from the original on 2019-06-19. Retrieved 2019-11-21.
  23. ^ "Anirevo Summer 2022 Information". AnimeCons.ca. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  24. ^ "Anirevo Summer 2023 Information". AnimeCons.ca. Archived from the original on 2023-04-20. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  25. ^ "Anirevo Summer 2024 Information". AnimeCons.ca. Archived from the original on 2024-08-18. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  26. ^ "Anirevo Summer 2025 Information". Retrieved 3 June 2026.
  27. ^ "Victims Speak Out After Canada's Anime Revolution Con Allows Serial Harasser, Convicted Sex Offender to Attend". Retrieved 3 June 2026.
  28. ^ "A Message from the Anirevo Organization". Retrieved 3 June 2026.
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