10 Secret Tips to Survive Anime North & Comiket

Jul. 19, 2015 by Matt van Vuuren

After almost a decade cosplaying around the world I carefully selected 10 Secret Tips on How To Survive Cosplay Conventions like Anime North in Toronto and Comiket in Tokyo ranging from pervert alerts, cosplay gear to general health tips.

Tips & Advice

What: Anime North
Why: Most fun & unique weekend you can spend in Toronto
Where: Toronto Congress Centre, Etobicoke [Map]
When: Last weekend of May
Price: Around $50 CAD per day [Tickets]
Your Cosplay Business Cards: Download Front-side & Back-side
Notes: Go early to prevent long lineups at the registration desk, watch my video for additional tips.
Editions: My Anime North articles from 2014, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 & 2006
Similar: Comiket Japan

Anime North 2015 was a pivotal moment for me, motivating me to create this video and share all my cosplay tips with the world. My cosplay journey has spanned a range of characters, from Cloud Strife to Snow to Guile. However, my favorite cosplay has to be Vega, which I included as an Easter egg at the end of my video.

The best part about conventions like Anime North is meeting so many interesting people with fascinating stories. I often receive great tips on new anime shows and mangas that I hadn't heard of before, making these events a goldmine for any anime enthusiast. Anime North and Comiket both take place during hot summer days, but they should definitely be high on your cosplay bucket list. The atmosphere is vibrant, and the energy is palpable, making for an unforgettable experience.

maids at anime north 2015

To my surprise, we even encountered the famous Lizzy-No-Pants model at Anime North. You can check out her Instagram for some amazing cosplay inspiration and updates.

After a long day at Anime North, the best tip is to take your friends downtown for some karaoke fun. I highly recommend Bar+ in downtown Toronto for an excellent karaoke experience. For a unique Japanese-styled culinary experience, visit DonDon Izakaya in Toronto. The private rooms offer an intimate setting, perfect for gatherings. We organized our annual Gyaru meetup here, and it was an epic night.

lizzy-no-pants at Anime North 2015

Anime North is more than just an event; it's a community of like-minded individuals passionate about anime and cosplay. The connections you make here can last a lifetime, enriching your cosplay journey. While at Anime North, don't miss out on the vendor halls. You'll find exclusive merchandise, rare manga, and unique collectibles that you won't find anywhere else.

Anime North also offers a variety of panels and workshops. These sessions provide valuable insights into the world of cosplay, anime production, and much more. They are a must-attend for anyone looking to deepen their knowledge.

Gyaru Meetup at DonDon Izakaya in Toronto

Finally, I highly recommend watching my video for my 10 Secret Cosplay Tips. If you can't watch it for some reason, I've listed them below in the description. These tips have been honed over years of experience and will help you take your cosplay to the next level.

Bring Cosplay business cards, so you can exchange cards with me and other cosplayers. These are vital in order to stay in touch with the community. Download your business card from the Tips & Advice box above.
To avoid traffic jams at the convention make sure you follow my secret back entrance guide for Anime North which I explain in the detail in the video.
Bring lots of water, to stay hydrated and gum in case you want to talk to someone cute :)
If you are pale like I am than always bring sun screen, since 90% of the time Anime North is a bright boiling weekend.
Don't just bring a charging cable for your phone, bring a battery pack! Like a powerful 12000mha and multiple USB wires for your phone & camera.
Stay fresh! Wearing heavy Cosplay can make you stink a lot, so make sure to bring deodorant. Now at Comiket Tokyo you'll find it hard to buy deodorant because it is not a popular item, instead buy Gabsy wet wipes, these wipes are super cold and refreshing and perfect on hot Japanese summer days. Alternatively, bring a hand towel or a Japanese fan.
Bring a little backpack or shoulder back for all your stuff. Especially if you consider doing some shopping at the dealer rooms and don't want to carry around a bunch of plastic bags.
Bring extra comfy shoes for after the convention, they will give your feet some relieve after a long day posing around the venue.
Cosplayers at Comiket Tokyo take cosplay extremely serious when you try to take a photo, Japanese cosplayers require to prepare themselves in detail and you often have to stand in line to grab a snap at designated photo areas.
Pervert Alert! I personally haven't heard of any incidents at Anime North but at Comiket Tokyo you have to come prepared, especially at washroom stalls. True story: I had the unfortunate experience of noticing someone recording me with their iPhone while being on the toilet. I ran out, and found myself forcing a 15 year old kid to erase his entire cell phone. Please be aware of your surroundings at Comiket, it is known for attracting many perverts. I should have reported him to the police, but the thought of him being the Tokyo Police chief's son crossed my mind...