So Anime Revolution Toronto came and went (I'll refer to it as Anirevo for the rest of the blog). I had been eagerly awaiting this convention since the disappointment that was Anime Toronto in 2023. Why would I be eagerly awaiting a convention after being disappointed with its previous iteration? Because the iteration before, International Fan Festival Toronto (IFFT), was a convention I enjoyed immensely. IFFT had some issues but it became my favourite anime convention in Toronto. IFFT had Japanese guests, affordable admission, and a mini concert with some of those guests -- what more could an attendee ask for?
As soon as tickets were available, I took a leap of faith and purchased the Premium admission. Guests weren't announced yet, so I gambled on whether I would be using the Premium admission to its fullest potential or not. Premium admission gives access to priority lines for panels, events, and autograph-signing. It's a great time-saver if there multiple panels happening close to each other or if you don't want to spend a long time waiting for a very popular event.
Despite me wanting to attend panels until 7 or 8 PM (like in previous years), I set an early curfew for myself so I could continue with the current routine I have with my boyfriend. The latest I could stay was about 4:30 PM. Of course, this curfew could be lifted if I stayed at a nearby hotel (but I'm not made of money, haha).
Here's the link to my experience with IFFT in 2019 if you want to check it out:
Here's the link to my experience with Anime Toronto in 2023 if you want to check it out:
Like I've done with all my convention entries, I've lumped all my pics of cosplayers into one section. If you want to see just that, search for "Photos of Cosplayers". For the section of what I've bought, search for "My Convention Purchases". This time, I actually did do a fair amount of each.
Some attendees coming and going.
The Little Details
Dates of Anime Toronto: November 21 - 23, 2025Location: Metro Convention Centre
Ticket Price Total: $350.87 (Premium admission -- $300 base admission + $10.50 fee + 13% tax)
My Premium admission.
Friday
Time Attended: 9:55 AM - 3:00 PM (SUNNY)
For this day I attended the convention with my boyfriend. He was worried for my health because I had taken a flu shot AND COVID vaccine shot the day before and I was kinda feverish (I will time the shots better next time). He doesn't usually attend anime conventions so it was nice that he was there. Time Attended: 9:55 AM - 3:00 PM (SUNNY)
When we arrived at the Metro Convention Centre, some attendees were already there. We sat on a couple seats close to the entrance to the Opening Ceremonies event, the first thing on my schedule.
Anirevo Toronto Opening Ceremonies -- 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Jeremy Androsoff (to the far right), and others.
Even though there weren't any dancing or musical performances (like in IFFT or Anime Toronto), I think the opening ceremonies was better than Anime Toronto's opening ceremonies because the room was dark enough for the intro video to be played without anything looking washed out (that is a big pet peeve for me).
Overall, the Opening Ceremonies was okay. Each guest was mentioned as well as some key events. They also informed us that Sumire Uesaka, one of the Japanese guests, was arriving late on Friday so the panel involving her would be cancelled. However, she would still be doing autographs on Friday at 9 PM and the cancelled panel would be combined with her panel on Saturday.
They also mentioned that the admission granted a slight discount at certain restaurants, which would last for the duration of the admission. For example, if you purchased a 1-day admission for Friday, the discount would be valid for Friday. I took a look at the listed places and most were ramen restaurants at a 15% discount. One place I was super surprised with was Miku Toronto, which specializes in aburi sushi (sushi with the top lightly seared). Miku Toronto is pretty pricey so any kind of discount for it is great.
The Opening Ceremonies was slotted to last an hour, but it ended around 11 AM, just as the Vendor's Hall was opening.
With about an hour and a half before the next thing, my boyfriend and I went into the Vendor Hall. We started at one end and quickly snaked through each booth. There were only two times that we stopped for a fairly long time:
1. I saw a vendor who had tons of Blue Archive fan posters in a cute style. He was selling a couple Blue Archive fan artbooks, and I bought them.
2. We were passing by the gaming section and we heard a loud "Hi!". We turned our heads and there was a VTuber on a big screen at one of the booths. A person next to the VTuber said that we could make conversation with the VTuber by speaking into a device. I was really nervous. I asked how the VTuber was doing and I think she said she was doing great. Then I was drawing blanks. I didn't know what to say next. I made a small apologetic bow to the person next to the VTuber and my boyfriend and I walked away. I felt bad for walking away, but I was so nervous. I thought I was wasting her time.
Anime Speedtune -- 12:33 PM - 2:30 PM
It's Anime Speedtune time!
Anime Speedtune has really evolved since the last time I checked it out back in 2023. Instead of filling out a piece of paper for the qualifiers, there is a QR code to access a Google form with questions and multiple-choice answers. Then scoring was done almost automatically instead of manually.
The below is lifted from a previous blog:
To briefly sum up how Anime Speedtune works, it is a name that tune-type game but with a lot of extra elements. There are four rounds and the contestant with the highest score from each round moves to the final round. Contestants score points by answering correctly, but there are multiple difficulties. Answering correctly to a tune from a higher difficulty will earn more points. On top of there being multiple difficulties, there are also various modes like medleys and ramps that offer a slight variety in gameplay. And on top of that, there are also other things that can earn more points, if the contestant is skilled enough.
With me being out of the current anime scene, I barely recognized any of the tunes, but it was entertaining. I often enjoyed the medleys where 5 short video clips would be played and contestants would write their answers out on tablets. The live scoring for the tablet answers was hilarious at times.
The QR code for the qualifiers.
The theme for the qualifier. The info I got at the Opening Ceremonies about Sumire was useful here!
The answers to the qualifier. I ended up making it to the standby section, who would fill in for any contestants who didn't show up. Thankfully I was not asked to fill in.
The category board.
The medley for the Demon Slayer category. Can you guess which Demon Slayer arc each tune comes from?
One of the contestant's answers.
The answers. How well did you do? :3
Misc. Photo for Friday
The Vendor's Hall area! There weren't too many attendees. I'm hoping that's because it was a Friday.
Saturday
Time Attended: 10:05 AM - 4:30 PM (SUNNY)
Before getting to the convention today, I told my boyfriend that I'd be attending the "Good Starter Anime" panel. I then asked him what he thought would be a good starter anime series and he said, "Attack on Titan". For me, I think Death Note would be a good starter anime series.Time Attended: 10:05 AM - 4:30 PM (SUNNY)
Good Starter Anime -- 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Good Starter Anime by Gippy, the same person who hosted Anime Speedtune.
I came into this panel anticipating a discussion of what a good starter anime is, some criteria for good starter anime, and some suggestions of good starter anime. While that did happen, I have some thoughts.
I thought that a couple of the criteria were too restrictive, like:
-Any anime series before the 2000s would not be a good starter anime because people these days aren't used to cel animation style (this point is not in the pic below but it was talked about leading to the criteria). While that could be a possible point to make for the younger generation, how about a situation where a younger person is trying to introduce anime to an older person like a parent or grandparent, where cel animation style might not be a barrier? I think it'd be a shame if series like Cowboy Bebop, Kare Kano, Sakura Wars, or movies like Princess Mononoke or Perfect Blue wouldn't be considered because of a difference in animation style.
-The series has to be one season long (11-13 episodes). I understand the argument to introduce a series with a short time commitment, but I don't think that would work for everybody. I think whether to suggest a short series or a long series will depend on each person's preferences. If the person prefers shorter series then suggest something short. If the person enjoys longer series, then I think a longer series would work better. I personally prefer longer series, but any length is fine as long as the story is told properly. I don't like watching a series that feels rushed and I don't like watching a series that feels bloated.
From Gippy's recommendations, I might check out Zenshu and Josee, The Tiger, and the Fish one day.
Also... Gippy's thoughts on the true purpose of anime ("to make money")... while I can understand the perspective, it makes me a bit sad.
Gippy's practical criteria for good starter anime. I agree with the last point only. Even though suggesting a movie IS the shortest time commitment, I know at least two people who personally prefer watching shows instead of movies despite knowing there is a shorter time commitment with movies.
After the panel, I checked out the Vendor's Hall with Gippy and another friend. I ended up buying an overpriced artbook. The price tag said $99 but when I said I would buy it, the seller said "With tax that comes to $105". I went O-O. I should have just said no... especially since after I got home I noticed there was a slight rip on the cover. =_=+
Around 12:30-ish, I went downstairs, aiming to get to the next panel. The line for Sumire Uesaka's Q&A was super long. I knew that an old friend might be attending the Q&A, so I followed the line and I found him. We chatted for a bit before I had to go to the next panel (and before he had to go into the Q&A room)!
Looks like some kind of performance was happening in the Vendor's Hall. It's nice seeing fans getting so into it.
Order Up! - An Intro to Food Anime -- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
I decided to check out this panel instead of Sumire Uesaka's Q&A because I knew that the Q&A would be way too crowded for my liking. Also, the idea of a food anime panel intrigued me. Would it be a panel showcasing anime series with a focus on food (like Yakitate!! Japan or Food Wars)? Or would it be a panel showcasing anime series where the food is shown very beautifully?
It was a bit of both. The panelist talked about developing an interest in "food porn" and he wanted to share that interest with us. He then proceeded to talk about some series and show a brief clip from each series. Yakitate!! Japan and Food Wars were mentioned, but many other series I wasn't aware of.
If I'm able to, I'd like to check out the series below:
-Ben-To
-Silver Spoon
-Restaurant to Another World
-Wakako-zake
-Takunomi.
-Gourmet Graffiti Girl
Overall it was a funny and entertaining panel.
With the next panel starting at 3:30 PM, I decided to check out the autograph booth area for Sumire Uesaka. Only one attendee with Premium admission was there so I lined up behind him. I'm not a big Sumire Uesaka fan but I like that she voiced Agnes Tachyon from Umamusume. I chatted with the other attendee for most of the time.
Around 2:15 PM, some attendees with regular admission started lining up. Around 2:30 PM, when Sumire Uesaka's Q&A ended, a lot of attendees joined the line. I was a bit worried that not everybody would get an autograph.
At some point, staff came by the front of the line to collect the autograph price ($30), give a blank autograph board, and write the attendee's name on a piece of paper. This was to make the autograph signing process smoother. The staff also asked us to keep any conversations with Sumire Uesaka very brief to give as many attendees a chance to get an autograph.
At another point, an attendee with regular admission was somehow mixed into the line with premium admission and was guided to the line with the regular admission. That person was also holding an autograph board, meaning he already paid for the autograph... I imagined that he got refunded his money since I think the end of the line at that point was very iffy on if he would actually get the autograph. By then, supposedly the line went past the stage in the Vendor's Hall area, which would be a really long line.
The line going past the autograph section.
My blank autograph board.
Sumire Uesaka Autograph -- 3:00 PM - 3:10 PM
Sumire Uesaka's autograph booth.
The signing went really quick. As Sumire Uesaka was signing my autograph board, I was wondering if I should say anything. When she was done, she looked at me and said, "Thank you!"
I said in English, "Thank you!" and "Your outfit is great!"
After putting my autograph board in my knapsack, I was curious how long the line really was for Sumire Uesaka's autograph. I walked to the other end of the Vendor's Hall... and the end of the line was there! Oh no... there's no way Sumire Uesaka would be able to sign them all in time! :(
I knew my old friend would be in line so I walked through the line till I found him. He was with another old friend -- one I haven't talked to in years. The other old friend noticed right away that I had the Premium admission and commented "Big spender". I chatted with them until I had to get to my next panel.
My old friend told me later that the autograph line got cut off one person before them. Darn... :(
Anirevo's Got Talent -- 3:35 PM - 4:30 PM
Where I sat. Darn pillar being in the way.
By the time I walked in, the room was very crowded. I reluctantly settled with a seat where a pillar was blocking half the stage.
There was a lot of singing. All of the dance numbers used songs from vocaloids, which was neat. There were a couple instrumental performances, too. It kinda made me wanna sing, heh... ^^;
One of the performances. She seemed really technical with her movements. Thankfully the pillar didn't block her for the first half of her performance.
Misc. Photos for Saturday
The schedule for Saturday. There were too many things I wanted to do.
The gaming area in the Vendor's Hall.
The attendee with the Premium admission. His backpack was showing some animation of Sailor Moon. I thought it was neat.
Another performance in the Vendor's Hall area.
The Vendor's Hall area on Saturday. There was definitely a lot more people than on Friday.
Sunday
Time Attended: 10:30 AM - 3:30-ish PM (SUNNY)
Today, I had two things to do:Time Attended: 10:30 AM - 3:30-ish PM (SUNNY)
1. Check out the AMV Contest.
2. Thoroughly go through the Vendor's Hall.
I know I've walked through the Vendor's Hall already, but I knew I needed to go through it again. Many booths were selling things for various series and I needed more time to identify those series (for the series I could identify).
I entered the Vendor's Hall as soon as it opened (around 11 AM). My first thought was to get a good seat for the AMV Contest that was starting at 11:30 AM (the AMV Contest was playing in the Vendor's Hall area). After seeing that nobody else was scouting out for a good seat, I decided to walk around a bit and then go back.
When I walked by a booth, I heard a loud "Hi!" I turned to the voice and there was a VTuber on a screen (why do I keep turning my head?! orz). The person next to the screen asked if I wanted to talk to the VTuber.
"Oh, but... I'm really shy..." I said, super nervous.
The person said the VTuber is also shy since she's behind a screen.
I was torn. I had some slight regrets about not really having a conversation with the VTuber on Friday, and I wanted to be more brave. On the other hand, I was really nervous 'cuz I don't think I'm interesting enough to have a conversation with.
I shyly walked closer to the device and started making awkward conversation, asking if she talked to many other people today. She said I was the first person she's talked to today (of course, because the Vendor's Hall just started). orz
I then told her about the Good Starter Anime panel that I attended yesterday. She asked what titles were recommended and I said titles I didn't recognize. I then corrected myself and said I did recognize one of the series, which was Erased. I told her about how I watched one episode of Erased one night and ended up watching the entire series.
From the conversation, I could tell that she was a really good listener. I still need to make improvements in that area.
Around 11:20 AM, I said I had to go 'cuz I had to check out the AMV Contest (she looked really excited when I said "AMV" -- does she enjoy AMVs?). When I walked away, the nervousness was still with me, but I was happy I got to talk a little. I hope she wasn't too bored.
I got a photo with her and when I looked at it later, it looked like I had a conversation with VTuber August Anomaly. She seemed nice and friendly.
Me (with my face greyed out) with August Anomaly.
Anirevo Toronto AMV Contest -- 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
The QR code to vote for the AMV contest.
For the AMV Contest, there was a QR code to go to a Google form page with all the AMV entries and categories. There were only two categories: Most Impactful and Viewer's Choice.
I was glad that even though the Vendor's Hall isn't darkly lit, the screens were in a darkish area so the videos were not washed out.
Of the AMVs shown, two caught my attention. One is mentioned below. The other one was titled "Heart" by Saiya. It used footage from Umamusume: Beginning of a New Era with the song "Heart Attack" by Demi Lovato. That AMV was -- wow. I enjoyed it so much. I felt charged and my heart was racing.
When all the entries were shown, they replayed them since there was still time. I stayed to watch "Heart" by Saiya again and then I ducked out.
Sadly I can't find "Heart" by Saiya on YouTube. T__T
The entries for the AMV Contest.
"Clarity" by Ayumi Kitajima. I enjoyed this one a lot as well.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With no more panels or events on my schedule, I went to one end of the Vendor's Hall and slowly walked through each booth. Pretty much I spent whatever time I needed to see what was being sold for what series. If the fandom matched mine or it looked interesting then I considered getting it.
With no more panels or events on my schedule, I went to one end of the Vendor's Hall and slowly walked through each booth. Pretty much I spent whatever time I needed to see what was being sold for what series. If the fandom matched mine or it looked interesting then I considered getting it.
I thought I'd be done around 2 PM. I ended up leaving the convention around 3:30 PM.
One on the vendors in her own cosplay. When I first saw this booth, I knew I'd have to buy something.
Misc. Photos for Sunday
The schedule for Sunday. I wanted to check out "The Anime That Change Us" but it was starting too late and I figured that there could be some spoilers.
Overall Thoughts
Overall, I was satisfied with Anirevo. There wasn't a mini concert like at IFFT, but there were other performances happening throughout the convention. There weren't as many Japanese guests as IFFT, but I could understand wanting to start out a bit smaller in the beginning. As attendance grows, so can the guests (*fingers crossed*! ><).
The only feedback I have is possibly scheduling Sumire Uesaka's Q&A and autograph signing further apart so that attendees have a chance to experience both. It seemed that many of the ones around the front of the autograph lines either skipped Sumire Uesaka's Q&A or left really early to get in line. It'd be great if the attendees didn't have to choose one or the other.
While it doesn't completely compare to IFFT, I thought Anirevo made a great start, and I hope it'll come back to Toronto again! <3
Photos of Cosplayers
As mentioned earlier, here are some photos of cosplayers. I was pleasantly surprised to see many elaborate ones, and sometimes in a big group. Some of the popular cosplays I saw were from Hoyoverse games (Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail) and Umamusume. 
Sans from Undertale.
Link from Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
Jinx from League of Legends.
Umm... not sure where he's from but he looks familiar.
Cosplay I wanted to take a pic of, but missed my chance
-Jinx from League of Legends in her Christmas skin
-Many others
My Convention Purchases
For this convention, I spent a fair amount. I'm still trying to be more minimalist, but since becoming a fan of new series (for example, Umamusume, 86, Blue Archive), the desire to get things to express that fandom was high. My only restriction was posters -- I didn't feel like lugging posters back home. I might feel differently at the next convention.I also thought it was a great opportunity to buy potential gifts for friends. I can get something pretty unique for my friends, and I can support artists. It's a win-win! :)
I've said this in previous convention blogs, but I'm saying this again. When buying fan stuff, I often have this frame of mind:
1. Does the art style align with my tastes?
2. Does this work express the kind of fandom that expresses me? (like, if I saw a poster of Zuko and Katara holding hands and gently smiling, I might get it, because it expresses how I feel about their relationship -- a sense of deep understanding for each other)
3. Is this a piece of work that will evoke something in me every time I see it?
For what I've bought that I haven't yet watched / experienced the series for, I'll note it like this: (*)
Here is what I bought (can you guess which ones are gifts and which ones are for myself?):
A couple pages from one of the artbooks.
2 tote bags and an Oguri Cap charm from Nekomame Designs and Amaimi art. The bread designs are really cute!
A close-up of the Oguri Cap charm.
A Sailor Saturn sticker and Rice Shower sticker from Soundless Wind.
A Sailor Saturn magnet and a spinning magnet from Next Stop Please and Wisteria Memory. I like the alternate naming for Pikmin and GameCube.
A squishy bread keychain from jjychara.
I paid $10 to do a mini gachapon at Mori. My prize was 2 stickers and this was one of my picks. I let one of my friends pick the other sticker.
Zhongli pin by Kitoodles. Even though I don't play Genshin Impact anymore, Zhongli is still a cool character.
I don't remember which vendor I got this from but it is a Nahida bookmark and Wriothesley bookmark. Nahida and Wriothesley are still cool characters to me.
Majima charm and an Animal Crossing fossil keychain from Minghii. Majimaaaa! XD
Hunter x Hunter charm from Reinsomniac.
3 keychains from Cafe de Yume.
Kirby tote bag, sticky notes, and a free Kirby sticker from Tofuuroll.
Kirby keychain from chaerii.
1 short comic, 1 comic, and Tom Nook pin from Margo Faust.
Mushi-shi tote bag, sticker, and Chihayafuru charm from shikafy. I always love finding Mushi-shi fan stuff. I was surprised to find anything from Chihayafuru.
Makoto, Yukari, and Mitsuru mini standee / keychains from prince fox.
Azumanga Daioh charms and Earthbound charms from cosmikolor. Squeee XD
Draken, Nightcord, and Sebastian & Ciel polaroids from yitsuin. I thought this concept was really unique. Now if they only had polaroids for 86... :')
The signed autograph board.
So, to calculate the "damage" to my wallet:
I've said this in previous convention blogs, but I'm saying this again. When buying fan stuff, I often have this frame of mind:
1. Does the art style align with my tastes?
2. Does this work express the kind of fandom that expresses me? (like, if I saw a poster of Zuko and Katara holding hands and gently smiling, I might get it, because it expresses how I feel about their relationship -- a sense of deep understanding for each other)
3. Is this a piece of work that will evoke something in me every time I see it?
For what I've bought that I haven't yet watched / experienced the series for, I'll note it like this: (*)
Here is what I bought (can you guess which ones are gifts and which ones are for myself?):
A SINoALICE official artbook. I knew it was overpriced, but I didn't know if I'd go through the motions of ordering online if I didn't buy it just there. I should have tried asking for a discount 'cuz the top left corner of the cover had a rip. >=|
Two Blue Archive fan artbooks from Klaius. The booth had tons of Blue Archive fanart so I was drawn to it immediately.
So, to calculate the "damage" to my wallet:
1 SINoALICE artbook: $105
2 Blue Archive artbooks from Klaius: $60
2 tote bags + Oguri Cap charm from Nekomame Designs and Amaimi art: $50
2 tote bags + Oguri Cap charm from Nekomame Designs and Amaimi art: $50
1 Sailor Saturn sticker + Rice Shower sticker from Soundless Wind: $5
1 Sailor Saturn magnet + spinning magnet from Next Stop Please and Wisteria Memory: $38
1 squishy bread keychain from jjychara: $15
1 mini gachapon at Mori (2 sticker prize): $10
1 Zhongli pin by Kitoodles: $20
1 Nahida bookmark + Wriothesley bookmark: $10
1 Majima charm + Animal Crossing fossil keychain from Minghii: $20
1 Hunter x Hunter charm from Reinsomniac: $20
3 keychains from Cafe de Yume: $30
1 Kirby tote bag, sticky notes, + free Kirby sticker from Tofuuroll: $15
1 Kirby keychain from chaerii: $12
1 short comic, 1 comic, + Tom Nook pin from Margo Faust: $20
1 Mushi-shi tote bag, sticker, + Chihayafuru charm from shikafy: $36
1 Makoto, Yukari, + Mitsuru mini standee / keychains from prince fox: $40
Azumanga Daioh charms + Earthbound charms from cosmikolor: $50
Draken, Nightcord, + Sebastian & Ciel polaroids from yitsuin.: $15
1 cap (not shown): $26
Sumire Uesaka's autograph: $30
Total "Damage": $652
If you made it this far, thank you very much for reading!
If you have any questions about anything I experienced at Anirevo Toronto, or just comments and questions on anything, feel free to comment!
Thank you again for reading and until next time! :)
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