Anime convention Ai-Kon returns after two-year absence

Thousands of anime fans returned to downtown Winnipeg this weekend as Ai-Kon took place at the RBC Convention Centre for the first time in two years.

Justin Ladia, the communications officer for the convention, said more than 7,600 tickets were sold, approximately 2,000 more tickets sold from the last convention in 2019. He added the convention had between 8,400 and 8,600 people attend through the weekend.

“I think people were really excited to have everyone back together in the Convention Centre for a celebration of Japanese culture, cosplay, anime, manga, and all that stuff,” he said.

The event included live bands, panels, a cosplay fashion show, as well as vendors selling everything from artwork to novels.

“I got what I came for, scum and villainy,” said Scott Tackaberry, owner of GameKnight Games and Cool Stuff, taking a break from his table to buy an art print of an old-school mustachioed villain. “Everyone needs a good monster.”

The print is from award-winning comic creator GMB Chomichuk, who is tabling at the long-running anime convention for the fourth time. Chomichuk works full-time as an author and artist, selling his comic books, novels, and art at conventions across North America. “It’s as much a compulsion these days as it is a profession,” he said.

Ai-Kon is the first locally-run convention to return post-pandemic, something Chomichuk does not take for granted. “Even though my work doesn’t feel exclusively anime, the themes that are centred in it: magical women, gigantic robots, fighting evil against all odds, all that stuff is present in my work so I think that’s why it connects here.”

The festival included guest appearances from Veronica Taylor, the original voice of Ash Ketchum from Pokemon, and drag performer Rock M. Sakura from RuPaul’s Drag Race, which Ladia speculates was a reason for the large attendance over the weekend.

In addition to the guests, Ladia said the local fandom is very tight-knit, which is one of the reasons for the increased attendance.

“People are just really excited to come back and see their friends again, in person,” he said.

Ladia said plans will be getting underway soon for next summer’s convention.