Anime Revolution
Japanese anime and gaming convention in Vancouver
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 in Toronto's Metro Toronto Convention Centre starting in 2025.
| Anime Revolution (AniRevo) | |
|---|---|
| Status | Active |
| Venue | Vancouver Convention Centre Metro Toronto Convention Centre |
| Locations | Vancouver, British Columbia Toronto, Ontario |
| Country | Canada |
| Inaugurated | 2012[1] |
| Organized by | Anime Revolution Events Inc. |
| Website | www |
While the name is similar, the convention has no connection to Anime Evolution.[3]
Programming
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
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
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] Since it began, the convention has grown significantly, being the first anime convention in Metro Vancouver to surpass 10,000 attendees[8][9] and eventually expanding its audience to more areas of Japanese pop culture such as gunpla and maid cafés.
Starting in 2025, Anime Revolution began to expand in the east coast with the launch of Anime Revolution Toronto, commonly known as AniRevo Toronto which is expected to be held from November 21–23, 2025.[10]
Event history
Anime Revolution Vancouver
| 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[11] | 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.[11] |
| August 22–24, 2014 | Vancouver Convention Centre Vancouver, British Columbia | 12,177[9] | 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.[9] |
| August 14–15, 2015 | Vancouver Convention Centre Vancouver, British Columbia | ~15,000[12] | 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.[13] |
| August 5–7, 2016 | Vancouver Convention Centre Vancouver, British Columbia | ~17,000[14] | 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.[15] |
| 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.[16] |
| 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.[17] |
| August 9–11, 2019 | Vancouver Convention Centre Vancouver, British Columbia | 25,128 | The 404s, Asaka, SungWon Cho, Takeshi Takadera, David Vincent.[18] |
| 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.[19] | |
| 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[20] | |
| 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 [21] | |
| August 1–3, 2025 | Vancouver Convention Centre Vancouver, British Columbia | ||
| July 31-August 2, 2026 | Vancouver Convention Centre Vancouver, British Columbia |
Anime Revolution Toronto
| Dates | Location | Attendance | Guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 21–23, 2025 | Metro Toronto Convention Centre Toronto, Ontario | ||
| November 13–15, 2026 | Metro Toronto Convention Centre Toronto, Ontario |