Anime Evolution

Anime Evolution
Anime Evolution's logo.
Status	Active
Venue	University of British Columbia
Location(s)	Vancouver, British Columbia
Country	Canada
Inaugurated	1998
Attendance	7,000 in 2015
Organized by	Vancouver Anime Convention Society
Website
http://www.animeevolution.com/

Anime Evolution is an annual three-day anime convention held in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada organized by AE Convention Corp. until 2010 and by the Vancouver Anime Convention Society since 2012. It was traditionally held in August until 2012 before moving to June and then later July.

Anime Evolution's programming, like many other anime conventions, includes anime screenings, anime music video contests, game shows, panels, workshops, cosplay events, vendor and artist rooms, and video game groups.

Anime Evolution was originally known as Anime Showcase, and was held in 1998 by the SFU ARC club. It was a two-day showing of anime that was supposed to be held annually, with the help of the Vancouver Japanese Animation Society, the University of British Columbia Anime Club, and V-SWAT. In 2001 it was renamed Anime Evolution and in 2003 became a full anime convention. It has grown each year since 1999, and had attendance of over 4,200 people in 2007. In 2008, due to booking issues, it was held at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, B.C., rather than its past location at Simon Fraser University (SFU), Burnaby, B.C. In 2011, due to legal and financial issues facing AE Convention Corp., Anime Evolution 2011 was cancelled, and future AE Convention Corp.-sponsored conventions were put on hiatus. Anime Evolution returned in 2012 under a new organizer, the Vancouver Anime Convention Society, and ran as a shortened, 2-day version of the convention in November, dubbed Anime Evolution: Akimatsuri. In 2013, Anime Evolution returned to the 3-day summer event format, celebrating its 10th anniversary. In 2014, Anime Evolution teamed up with Cos & Effect and Vancouver Gaming Expo to create Northwest Fan Fest. In 2015, Anime Evolution split from Northwest Fan Fest to once again function as a stand-alone 3-day convention.

(AE: Akimatsuri)

(as part of Northwest Fan Fest)