Fans of anime expected to descend on convention
Goal of Ganbatte event is to create sense of community, safe space, says organizer
It should be a colourful weekend in downtown Saskatoon as cosplayers converge on TCU Place for this year’s Ganbatte Anime Convention of Saskatoon.
The convention, which runs Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., is focused on promoting Japanese media and art. If you’re looking to check out some cool cosplay or expand your anime or manga collections, this is the place to be.
“Anime conventions are old everywhere else, but they are new to Saskatoon,” said convention president Annie Shadden.
“Me and a bunch of friends who travel to conventions all over got together and said, ‘We should make one in Saskatoon,’ so I started researching and putting in the work to create Ganbatte,” she continued.
More than 30 vendors will be at the event selling everything from books, manga and comics to art and cosplay outfits.
There will also be a variety of card and video game tournaments, a theatre showing anime films and panels featuring professional voice actors, artists, writers and cosplayers.
Visitors can expect to see a few real Power Rangers as well.
Day and weekend passes are available at the door beginning at noon Saturday.
But Shadden said people looking for a full weekend pass can get one faster and cheaper at the Roxy Theatre at 6 p.m. Friday during the pre-registration event and
screening of the iconic anime film Spirited Away.
Shadden said she is excited to watch the convention continue to grow in its second year and offer fans a space to make connections with each other.
This year she expects around 1,000 people to attend — double last year’s number.
“It’s about creating a community, it’s not about paying a bunch of money to meet the guests. Anime expos are usually more about creating a safe space for those kids who usually don’t have another means to make friends. Some of my best friends are from anime conventions.”