Top Anime North Panels & Highlights from Recent Years (From a Fan Who's Been Going a While 😅)

Hey everyone! I wanted to jot down a few of the coolest (and weirdest?) panels and events I’ve seen at Anime North over the last few years. I've been attending pretty regularly, and every year there’s something unexpected. So here’s a bit of a casual rundown—not exhaustive, just what stuck with me.

🎤 Anime North Idol – Honestly Kinda Emotional

Every time I go, I make it a point to catch the Anime North Idol. It’s low-key one of the most fun events. You get everything from incredible singers to total chaos energy, but that's part of the charm.

  • 2022 had some wild performances. One person absolutely slayed "We Are" from One Piece, and someone else did "Gurenge" from Demon Slayer and got a standing ovation (from our row at least lol).

  • In 2024, I think people really brought their A-game. Someone sang “World is Mine” by Hatsune Miku and literally acted the whole thing out like a diva, wig and all. Crowd went nuts.

Honestly, some folks sound better than pro singers. I cried once. Not joking.

🎮 Gaming Tournaments & Panels (aka where my friends disappeared to)

Anime North’s gaming area doesn’t get enough love, IMO. In 2024 they had full-on tournaments for stuff like:

  • Street Fighter 6

  • Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising

  • Tekken 8

I didn’t enter (I suck), but watching was honestly a blast. Plus, there was a "history of fighting games" panel that I randomly sat in on, and it was unexpectedly great. Guy running it was like a walking arcade machine.

💡 The "Anime Mythbusters" Panel

This one changes every year but it’s always a riot. A group of panelists tries to fact-check anime tropes. Like—can you really survive off nothing but instant ramen like in Naruto? (Spoiler: not well.)

They also went into real-life physics vs anime physics. Hearing someone argue why Goku would realistically break all his bones jumping was… oddly convincing?

👘 Cultural Panels – Yes, I Actually Learned Stuff

There’s always a few Japanese culture panels that surprise me. In 2023 I went to one about Shinto and Anime, and it kind of blew my mind how many anime references come straight from Japanese spirituality. Another year they did one on kimono styles and had real ones to show (and touch!).

I wish I remembered the names better… note to self: write stuff down next time 😩

👀 Bonus: The Late-Night “Unmentionables”

Okay, if you’ve been… you know. The 18+ panels get unhinged real fast. I won’t go into detail here (this is a wholesome blog kinda… lol), but just know that if you're staying late, you’re bound to stumble into a panel where Sailor Moon and Chainsaw Man fanfics meet in weird, chaotic harmony.


Anime North is more than just cosplay and merch hauls (though I do spend way too much at the dealer’s room). The panels have honestly been some of the best parts, especially when you stumble into something unexpected or super niche. If you're thinking about going next year, don’t just hit the main stage—check out the side rooms too. That’s where the magic happens.

Anyway, that's it from me. Maybe I’ll see you there next year ✌️

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