Otakuthon Anime Convention reveals stellar guests for its 18th edition

This year’s Japanese guest lineup features accomplished VTubers, singers and voice actors. In association with J-rock North Promotions Inc., Otakuthon is thrilled to feature KANA-BOON and ANLY who will be performing for their first time in Canada on our stage. KANA-BOON is a rock band that produced multiple hit anime themes such as Silhouette, Diver, Baton Road, Star marker and Kirarirari from the Naruto series. Their new album “Love Supremacism” will be released on June 14. ANLY is a singer-songwriter who sang for Naruto, “Seven Deadly Sins” and “Boruto Next Generations”. Attendees will be able to meet Japanese VTubers Sister Claire and Hoshikawa Sara. They will be joined by their American NIJISANJI counterpart to deliver an unforgettable performance. Participants will also be able to meet Alisa Okehazama, a composer and musician who composed for popular anime series such as “Jujutsu Kaisen”, “The God of High School” and “The Beast Tamer Who Got Kicked Out From His Party Meets a Cat Girl From the Superior Race,” as well as Takahiro Obata, a versatile musician and composer known for his fusion of jazz with diverse elements that creates a sonically emotional experience. His compositions appear in “The Promised Neverland”, “Ninjala” and “Cinderella Nine”, among others.
Otakuthon is proud to present Kanae Ito, a voice actress and singer, winner of awards in the 4th and 5th Seiyu Awards for Best Rookie Actress and Best Supporting Actress. Her major roles include Amu Hinamori in Shugo Chara!, Fumino Serizawa in Mayoi Neko Overrun!, Yui in Sword Art Online, Carrot in One Piece, and many other characters from various anime series. Inoue Suguru, a Japanese actor and voice actor who started as a VTuber in 2022 will also be present at the convention. His main credits are for Hitman Reborn as Yamamoto Takeshi, Prince of Tennis as Shiranui Tomoya, and The Garden of Words as Matsumoto. To dive deeper into the virtual world, attendees can meet Yoshiyuki Hirai who stepped into this world in 2022 as VTuber Runpa, established his own VTuber agency and has overseen the production of various virtual talents. Hirai is also part of America Zarigani a Comedy duo, he formed in 1994 with Tetsuya Yanagihara. Meanwhile, attendees will meet Enishin, VTuber agency focusing on variety, gaming and theater. Enishin will bring in Hanakoto Igusa, a Yokai VTuber and tourism ambassador for Shimanto City, Hagamachi Tsumami, automotive-type VTuber known for using navigation tool “Roof” and Chachabaru Charu, VTuber from another world who dreams to have a parade with everyone.
On the North American side of the guest list, Otakuthon is delighted to welcome Emirichu, a popular YouTuber illustrator known for her storytelling, her drawn conversation and her cafe-centric vlog content, as well as Daidus, a well-known YouTube animator, illustrator and comedian. To expand their Japanese knowledge, attendees can meet Valérie Harvey, a prolific author, sociologist, composer, performer and Japanese teacher. Anime fans can attend a themed concert offered by l’Orchestre d’Anime de Montréal showcasing an epic battle of modern vs. classic anime. Founded by Melissa Tardif, l’OAM is composed of 18 local musicians and is renowned for its wide variety of anime openings, endings and general original soundtracks. Attendees can also meet LoveLive Sunrise an 11-member girl group based in Montreal focused on recreating performances from the popular anime series Love Live, as well as Jean-François Laliberté, author of the comic books U-Merlin and Les Élus Eljuns, screenwriter and engineer. Sacha Lefebvre, U-Merlin and Les Élus Eljuns’ chosen illustrator will also be present.
The convention also offers an exciting music adventure, featuring the renowned Orchestre de Jeux Vidéo, a 50-piece musical ensemble that produces video game music concerts conducted by Jonathan Dagenais. The orchestra’s exceptional instrumental composition creates an original orchestral experience that infuses video game soundtracks with new colours and textures. Otakuthon is also proud to present
Shota Nakama, a Japanese music producer and arranger for Final Fantasy, God Eater, and Sonic Symphony. For fun and novel experiences, attendees can indulge themselves with rakugo performer Cyril Coppini, the phantom thief from the future, Alban Knox, as well as the psychic from the future with enigmatic powers, VTuber Uki Violeta.
Otakuthon is Canada’s largest bilingual festival celebrating Japanese animation (anime), graphic
novels (manga), gaming, and pop culture. As the first of its kind in Montreal, Otakuthon is a full-
fledged, bilingual anime convention that features a diverse range of special guests as well as many
panels, activities, and events spotlighting all aspects of Japanese culture. Every year, this event
is made possible by the hard work and dedication of passionate volunteer staff members who
generously devote their time to creating a convention that is entirely for fans, by fans.
Palais des congrès de Montréal
Friday, August 11th, 2023 from 10am to 3am
Saturday, August 12th, 2023 from 10am to 3am
Sunday, August 13th, 2023 from 10am to 5pm

For more information, including the full list of events, visit: www.otakuthon.com