Get ready to tread the path to glory at the 2026 Otafest Pokémon League. It’s looking quite villainous this year. I wonder what surprises await our challengers in their battles to rise above the ranks and become Champion. More shall be revealed soon...

📰 GREAT NEWS EVERYONE! 🏨 We've secured an additional partner hotel for our attendees and invite you to book a room at the Le Germain Hotel! 🏨 🛌 A limited number are available - don't wait! Get yourself a room for Otafest 2026 - GO GO GO ▶️ otafest.com/hotel

⚠️ REMINDER⚠️ Otafest's first ever Community cookbook is still taking submissions!! Proceeds from our cookbook will go straight to our total charity drive amount! 🤌 Come be a part of Otafest history and submit up to 3 recipes for the cookbook at ▶️ otafe.st/Cookbook. ⚠️Closes March 15th!

Have you ever wanted to judge one of Otafest's events? Want to see Cosplay Contest from another angle? ⚠️ Well... That time is running out!!!⏰️ Your chance to take part ends 🗓️ March 1, so get your applications in before time runs out! ➡️ otafest.com/judge/

Do you like food? We like food. 🥐 🥗 🍙 ONOMNOMONOM🦞 🍕 🍔 .... Introducing.....Otafest's first ever Community cookbook! Do you have a real sugoi, oishi recipe😍 ? Are you a real life Senshi🥸 ? Would you describe your meals as *chef's kiss*🧑‍🍳 ?

⚠️ LAST CHANCE TO SUBMIT YOUR COSPLAY MEETUP APPLICATION FOR OTAFEST 2026!!! Get your applications in TODAY - that's it! For more info and to submit Applications, visit: ▶️ otafest.com/meetups/

🚨 REMINDER: Panel applications will close on February 8th 2026! 🚨 Showcase your passions and creativity! Whether it's a game show, educational talk, competition, or something brand new, we want YOU! This is your platform and time to shine!🌟 ▶️ PANELISTS, GO HERE: otafest.com/panelists

We at Otafest, Calgary’s Japanese Animation & Pop-Culture Festival, are partnering with the Canadian Cancer Society to raise funds in memory of our dear friend, Shawn Hansen. Let’s come together, celebrate Shawn’s legacy, and make a difference 💫

Bryson Baugus is a voice actor, singer, and stage actor based out of Dallas, Texas. He is known for voicing many roles in anime and video games such as Shoyo Hinata (Haikyu!!), Nagi Seishiro (BLUELOCK), Falco Grice (Attack on Titan), Gepard Landau (Honkai: Star Rail) +

🎭✨ Cosplay: How It’s Made applications are OPEN! ✨🎭 Now’s your chance to demonstrate your knowledge on that really niche thing, explain how to level up someone’s makeup game 💄, or share tips on posing better for photos 📸🕺 ⏰ Applications close April 1, 2026!👉 Apply here: otafest.com/howitsmade/ 🎉

The Cosplay-Eh!™ Canadian Cosplay Championship is where Alberta’s best cosplayers will compete for a chance to represent our province at the national finals. 🚨 Winners at Otafest will be flown out to the finals by 🌸 Otafest🌸 to compete, to become 🇨🇦 Canada’s Cosplay Champion🇨🇦!!! 🧵

Lia is a Japanese singer and solo artist. While Lia was living in America and studying vocal performance at Berkeley University College of Music, she had the opportunity to be the vocalist for the game, anime and movie AIR, and recorded the hit Opening song “Tori no Uta”, 🧵

The Cosplay-Eh!™ Canadian Cosplay Championship is where Alberta’s best cosplayers will compete for a chance to represent our province at the national finals. Show off your craftsmanship, bring your character to life on stage, and compete! otafest.com/cosplayeh/

🏁 Are you excited for the finale of @canadasdragrace ? 🏁 From Canada’s Drag Race Season 6, Eboni La’Belle @ebonithequeen and From Canada’s Drag Race Season 6, Van Goth @itsvangoth ! 👑 Your queens are waiting!! Grab your tickets now! buff.ly/NUXybAo

🤔 You know what Himmel the Hero would say? ***** "You can't just got to a festival without a good night's sleep!" So, book your stay at one of our partner hotels for Otafest 2026! 🛌 Rooms are ‼️ limited‼️ Get the direct link here: 🏨 otafest.com/hotel

This is your ⚠️ LAST CHANCE⚠️ to secure an Angel Pass for Otafest 2026! Our final batch will be available for purchase 🚨 TONIGHT at 8:00 PM Mountain Time. otafest.com/tickets to grab yours!

Everyone knows you gotta catch some 💤 's to restore HP - and that's especially so at Otafest! Book your stay at one of our partner hotels for Otafest 2026 Rooms are ‼️ limited‼️ so book quickly to secure your stay! A direct link will appear on 📆JANUARY 12, 2026 @ 7:00PM!📆

⭐ Now's your chance to show off your amazing skit and performance skills! Dazzle the judges with that new secret technique handed down by the secret bloodline of the hidden village....That you learned for your cosplay! 📜 Get in here: ▶️ otafest.com/cosplay/ 🍥 Believe it!

Psst, come here. You got them judge eyes👁️ , I can see it. You looking for something to do during Otafest? (slides card) consider applying to judge one of our many events. We got something for everyone. Craftsmanship, skits, idols checks hand, even this new... ...Cosplay-Eh? otafest.com/judge/

🚨 🚨 REMINDER!🚨 🚨 Exhibitor Applications close ⭐ January 9⭐ Check out otafest.com/vendors/ for details! Note: A member of the Exhibitor team will contact you once your application has been processed and reviewed.

🕺 It's time to get on stage and show 'em your stuff! 🏇 Make debut at Otafest's Idol Festival - the next frontier awaits you! ⚠️ Rules and Applications are open! ▶️ otafest.com/idol-festival/ Apps ends April 1st! More info in the link!

🥊 Do you like it when music syncs up to fight scenes? 🎸 Do you think that anime AND think that Linkin Park SHOULD be in the same room? Time to submit your vision and get in on the Otafest AMV Contest! Share your Anime Music Video for all to see! Information and Apps here! otafest.com/amv/

⚠️ CALLING THE ALL MAIDS AND BUTLERS AROUND⚠️ 1️⃣ Do you love to dance? 2️⃣ Meeting new people? 3️⃣ Make new friends? ***Join Otafest’s Maid and Butler Café!*** Come be apart of something kawaii!! ❤️‍🔥 🔥 Café volunteer applications are now open! 🍰 Apply at otafest.com/cafe/apply/

big edit: i was challenged that my holiday post didn't go hard enough so fine here you go ⭐ On behalf of all of us at Otafest, we want to wish everyone a safe and wonderful end of the year! ⭐ 🫵 Stay tuned, we've got some stuff that'll get 2026 going proper! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

🚨 🚨 ATTENTION EXHIBITORS🚨 🚨 Exhibitor Applications are now ⭐ open⭐ Check out otafest.com/vendors for details! Note: A member of the Exhibitor team will contact you once your application has been processed and reviewed. ANOTHER NOTE: Applications close January 9th!!!!!!

AMAZING THE VOLUNTEER APPLICATION IS OPEN! We're looking for passionate folks who want to assist in spread the joy of Otafest and all that entails! Do you have what it takes?! THEN COME THROUGH 🫵 otafest.com/volunteer/

⚠️ ARTIST ALLEY APPLICANTS As it does every year, as applications go live, our website blips until traffic eases up. We are aware of issues with form submissions and we are actively finding a solution to this complication. We thank everyone for their patience with this and to not be discouraged!

Artist Alley Applications are now.... 🎊 OPEN 🎊 And... will close on Nov 23‼️ 😱 😱 Check out otafest.com/artists for all the details! 🚨NEW THIS YEAR 🚨 Single-day Tables!* Check the application and site for more info! 🧵

🚨 Artist Alley Applications are opening soon🚨 Mark your calendars for 📅 Friday, November 14th, 10AM MST so you can head on over and check out otafest.com/artists for all those juicy details! 🚨 NEW THIS YEAR 🚨 Single Day Tables! * Check out the site for more info 👀 🧵

🚨 Panel applications are now open! 🚨 Showcase your passions and creativity! Whether it's a game show, educational talk, competition, or something brand new, we want YOU! This is your platform and time to shine!🌟 ▶️ PANELISTS, GO HERE: otafest.com/panelists

💭 Have you ever wanted to see a certain series/fandom Cosplay Meetup on the schedule during Otafest?! You could make that happen! 🚨 Cosplay Meetup Applications are now open until February 11, 2026! 📝 For more information and to submit a Meetup application, visit: otafest.com/meetups/

WELCOME HOWARD TO OTAFEST! Howard Wang is a voice actor and video game developer! Howard has lent his voice to Xie Lian in Heaven Official’s Blessing, Langa Hasegawa in SK8 the Infinity, Luka in Honkai: Star Rail, Narciso Anasui in Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean, 🧵

⚠️ CAUTION⚠️ Watch those email addresses! Scams are on the rise and all official Otafest communications will always come from an ⭐@otafest.com⭐ email address. Please be vigilant and don't send information or money to anyone claiming to be us - and report spam whenever possible!

‼️ ATTENTION!‼️ Otafest is very pleased that we've been accepted to walk in the 🏳️‍🌈 @CalgaryPride Parade🏳️‍🌈 once more on Sunday, August 31st @ 11am 📅 (tomorrow WOOO) 📝 Please sign up at the link below if you'd like to walk with us! 🧵

‼️ ATTENTION!‼️ Otafest is very pleased that we've been accepted to walk in the 🏳️‍🌈 @CalgaryPride Parade🏳️‍🌈 once more on Sunday, August 31st @ 11am 📅 ! 📝 Please sign up at the link below if you'd like to walk with us! 🧵

The Otafest Pokémon League is looking for new challengers to take on the mantle of Gym Leader. If you are interested in becoming part of a real-life Pokémon League, apply today through this link: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... We are accepting applications until June 6th at midnight!

Starting another year fresh, huh? We'll take those odds. OUR THEME FOR 2026.... [ スケバン (DELINQUENTS) ] Taking inspiration and going against tradition, Seph and Aurora place their freedom and self-expression above all else in their newest class. 🧵

Here are the Gunpla Builder World Cup Qualifiers and Winner for Southern Alberta! Otafest held its first GBWC sanctioned event this past weekend! Winner: Shin Ryuusei Kochouken! Blazing Dragon Gundam! by Earl Oledan 🧵

And now... The Gunpla Hanger WINNERS OF 2025!! Youth Category - Zaku Creeper’s Ambush! By: Frederick Pompu Small Category - Smol boys  By: Garrett Leek Medium Category and "People's Choice" Award - MGSD Barbatos By: Adrian Lim Large and "Fully Loaded" Award - MGEX Strike Freedom By: Jerry Chen 🧵

2025 was a dream in synthwave... 🌆 It was only yesterday when we were grabbin' tickets in the Otafest Arcade. 🎟️ Were you *THAT* ticket fiend? 🎟️ 🤜 Or did you just wanna get down with the rhythm of the beat with Miku?🤛 Take a look at what our arcade staff whipped up for us this year! 📹

Our goal was.... 15000.... And we got.... 💲 4 8, 7 4 1 LETSGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

its over go home why are you still here? i know. we miss you, too. see you in 2026........ otafe.st/tickets

❗ CLOSING CEREMONIES ANNOUNCEMENT❗ SPECIAL GUEST FOR 2026 OTAFEST, PLEASE WELCOME KIRA BUCKLAND! 🧵

Due to weather conditions, the last of outdoor performances will be moved to the Exhibitor Hall prefunction area. We thank everyone, including our performers for their patience with both the sudden changes and their adaptability to the weather.

Due to weather conditions, All Cosplay Meetups are moved indoors to hallway between M-Lounge and Gunpla Hangar of Marriott (from elevators go to the right, but not through the doors).

Special shoutout to ENDLESS ERA GAMING! This year they are joining us at Otafest, hosting our Arcade Stage inside the Macleod A room! Join the excitement with Endless ERA Gaming! We specialize in Event Services, Broadcast production, Content Creation and more!

Wanna feel the wind in your hair? Some rain for that epic cliffhanger ending to your anime food run? BIRD's got you covered! Last day to use OTAFEST25 promo code for an exclusive discount on your ride!

Due to weather conditions, the Yosoca performance will be moved indoors to the Exhibitor prefunction hall. The performance will begin at 1:00PM.

The Kingdom Hearts Cosplay Meetup at 11:30 AM will be moved indoors to the hallway between M-Lounge and Gunpla Hangar, due to unpredictable inclement weather.

You are all amazing. We're out. We're complete. You completed us. Superfan tickets are all claimed by you. We love you. SEE YOU AT CLOSING CEREMONIES