Winnipeggers gear up for 24th annual AI-KON convention

Winnipeg’s largest Japanese anime and pop culture convention, AI-KON is back for its 24th consecutive year, with the opening ceremonies behind me kicking off a weekend to remember for the thousands who attend.

The word AI-KON means, ‘for the love of anime’ which was on full display for opening day, as cosplayers showcased their favourite animes.

“Having this giant event that is so popular and so full of different types of people and different interests that kind of having the same idea of being a nerd feels nice,” said Ruby Chopstix, the drag events coordinator of AI-KON.

Arianna Chisholm, who was cosplaying as Buggy the Clown from One Piece, said “It’s very fun when you see other people you also like, so being together and being nerds is amazing.”

Orion._.Cos, who was cosplaying as Maki Zenin from Jujutsu Kaisen adding, “The cosplay contest and the cosplay community is the best part, everyone supporting each other and helping each other out, you can even ask them for tips and stuff and they’re all very welcoming.”

The convention has a little something for everyone, an impressive cosplay contest, 24-hour anime screenings, competitive video game tournaments, interactive fan-hosted panels, a Maid Cafe, and a sprawling marketplace.

“Winnipeg itself is a niche city and when there are niches there are people who want to fill those niches and there’s a stronger bond between people who participate in those niches, so I think that’s why the community comes here and it’s so warm and strong,” explained Justin Ladia, the communications officer & graphic designer of AI-KON.

While the convention is anime-focused, AI-KONs goal is to include other events and activities that have varying amounts of overlap with attendees’ interests, creating an environment you can spend hours at.

“It’s the energy it really that it’s a positive vibe, everyone’s here to have a good time they want to have conversations on the things they are passionate about and if I so happen to have part of that passion it’s even better,” said Kevin Chow, Rawry and Pholy.

GMB Chomichuk, a writer-illustrator adds, “For my profession in general it is absolutely unparallel, peer to peer sales is how you make a real living wage in this business.”

The convention, which ends Sunday night, also showcases a plethora of world-class voice actors including Lex Lang who’s worked in some of the world’s biggest animes.