THE IDOLM@STER SHINY COLORS came to Canada for the first time. The cast members for Mei, Koito and Nichika were part of the group coming. They performed at the Saturday festival concert and had an autograph session, and a VIP M&G/Autograph session. Azusa Shizuki has been to Canada previously, but it was the first time for Saren Tajima and Mei Kitahara.
That alone was pretty cool, but there was also some Bandai Namco folks who came and met with fans–this time mainly Kei Umeki, who is one of the main Events manager from Bandai Namco Entertainment for the IDOLM@STER. Here is another interview where Umeki talked with the other series tantous about Ijigen Fes (with English TL).
Anyways, let’s not forget the other guests who visited Animethon in 2026–Daoko, Minori Chihara, Mas’Scar’Piece, Who-Ya Extended, and Hellbroth. Kenji Nojima rounds out the JP seiyuu side and I was able to see one of his panels for once, as it didn’t conflict with anything. I hope he comes to NYC for once for all that Banana Fish fame?
I did visit Animethon 2 years prior for Sally Amaki/Konomi Suzuki, as part of a con drift with Anirevo Vancounver in 2024. For committed eventers, both conventions are about the same “effort” to get to from within Canada. Outside of Canada, you’re kind of locked in to SFO, DEN, YVR or SEA as transit airports. It’s a pain, to say the least, to go to Edmonton. The news on Shiny Colors dropped on July 14, and the event from Friday August 7, leaving you literally with the minimal amount of time before flights prices jump. Looming on the horizon was also an WestJet strike, which squeezed prices even higher and canceled some people’s reservations.
On the upside, the WestJet strike lasted just a day (and on the down side, FAs have it hard in Canada), but it was a thing that really didn’t need to happen, was preordained to happen, and still happened for about a day. Sure, it was just 5 days before that Friday, so folks flying on the 7th mostly made it OK. Folks flying in earlier just had to deal with the usual weather delays. Japanese producers braved even more hazard, and I think the ones I observed walked home with big rewards though, so it’s all good maybe.
Anyways, those were sort of the backdrop. The other piece is that Animethon is a small-midsize con. This year they walked 2500 back clocking in at 12500 versus last year’s 15000. Part of it is probably the economy, but part of it is definitely the airline situation. Otakuthon was the same weekend, across over at Montreal, so that probably cornered a lot of people who might want to stick to GTA to see Yoasobi or the great gets Otakuthon had. Maria Naganawa? Yumi Hara? Konomi Suzuki? I wish I had gone there, I guess. Alas, only the few can do both (and I knew a few who did).
Without saying too much about how the Shinymas situation came about, since I am now a person who is involved in the procurement of such, I will just say that Animethon for 1 day did feel enough for all 3 days. What I did experience more this time is the rest of downtown Edmonton. The part by the con is quite scenic and there are a lot of eats right near the same area. Some establishments opened late (like 2-3am) which made hosting a late-night party feasible.
On that note, what is remarkable was not the guests that showed up, but that IDOLM@STER includes, always, its Bandai Namco overlords. We got to see Kei Umeki and company at our afterparty. We enjoyed that VIP experience. We also enjoyed the VIP experience on Sunday where it costs 175 CAD, but that’s different. In this one we were able to talk to staff and drink with them, and share with them our thoughts. That was perhaps the highlight of my Animethon in a way.
What deserves a shout out is Ma’Scar’Piece, which is a 5-piece idol group from Denonbu as a franchised sub-brand. They are notable for being 5 DJs who are also idols. They have songs that match my taste, but I was kind of distracted all weekend to be too into this neat group. It took up a lot of attention though, and seems like a hit with the locals.
Minori Chihara closed out Saturday’s show and that went great. Sure, it is the same old set, but it works well. I bought her VIP and failed to say much other than I saw her in NYC lol. It was a long story to litigate, certainly too long for a drive-by M&G, so I just mentioned bits of it. Maybe some other time.
What other convention content did I see? A vtuber panel featuring Essie, who uhh, tanked some World Cup teams. Minorin’s panel. And the Shiny Colors panel. I also entered an Umamusume tournament and won one race (out of like 9). There were over 40 contestants I think so that isn’t too bad? I lost the RNG battle and got eliminated in the second round (out of 3).
What else can I say? Some stuff I literally shouldn’t publish, for ethics reasons, for NDA reasons, for privacy, or for discretion, or a multiple of these. So what I can post is the public stuff–my notes from the Shiny Colors panel on Friday, August 8th.
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[Note that this is my high level notes blown up into more details by memory so I could have omitted or miswrote/misrepresent any particular thing. Please feel free to leave a correction in the comments.]
The talk panel for IDOLM@STER SHINY COLORS at Animethon 2026 was on Friday, August 7, at 4pm local time. Everyone filed in the panel room (Salon 12) orderly, if with a bit of fuss over who wanted the seats up front. The panel has a stage up front with a typical horizontal table set up. Slides that were projected on screen was used.
The MC (Sujay) was on stage with his PC and you can see folks be hind the screen (or from my seat) running the show. Soon we cheered and the cast member filed into the room and on the stage. Each gave their welcoming comments.
Kitahara: The attendees were able to overcome the barrier with our passion
Tajima: Glad to see so many Ps at the panel.
Shizuki: She never imagined such a miracle.
Other than some cast interactions, this panel was otherwise scripted. Kitahara then explained from the script that it is IM@S 20th etc., and they are here to meet us. [That statement hits me pretty good.] Each of the cast members then gave us their impression of Canada thus far.
Kitahara: First time in Canada, she likes the nature and wide sky, and loves it here
Tajima: Also first time in Canada, loves the fresh air, and how everyone is kind and laid back
Shizuki: Been to Calgary before, “big sky” and likes salmon (to eat).
Now, the topic is first time IDOLM@STER at Animethon. Shizuki asks for a raise of hand who has known it, and explains it in official speak. Tajima then speaks to explain what IDOLM@STER Shiny Colors is, with each unit. She also explains the other series and tell us to follow the EN X account.
The panel starts, for real, after Kitahara announces such. The first corner is the talk corner. Sujay then asks some questions to the cast members.
Q1: Most appealing about your idol, in terms of commu or song or performances.
Tajima: Her “do your best” ganbare appeal. Shiny Song Koito’s episode 0 is recommend, and “open the window” scenario.
Shzuki: Nichika’s desire to stand next to Mikoto. The way she eats sukiyaki like family but not, breaks an egg, and makes a wish.
Kitahara: Strong, but not enough by herself. However she can overcome with help from P and her fans. In the “VS” commu, she fights with Fuyuko and Asahi and it is hearts sharpening.
Q2: What is a good place to start if you are new to Shiny Colors?
Tajima: 6th live, there is a DJ set. Wagamama, and the solo event Master ShowPiece in September.
Kitahara: Play the game, but it is in Japanese. Also please watch the lives. The songs are very different between each unit, but you can find the unit style that you like. Go with the songs with the voices you like.
Shizuki: Watch the anime for someone who doesn’t know anything.
The second and final corner is the challenge corner. The first game is the “Canadian snack ranking (Animethon Staff)” game. Sujay pulls out this notebook with 5 rows labeled 1 through 5, it is also cut into strips for each number to hide the answer behind it. The goal is to guess what is in 2nd place and 3rd place. Winners are awarded points which adds up between games. The winners are awarded a prize, which is this stuffed beaver wearing a red Canada shirt or sweatshirt. It is probably from a Canadian Miniso. In addition for the snack game, each snack is presented on stage for the cast member to examine (and sample).
The items to guess to rank are ketchup chips, timbits, maple creme (cookies), coffee crisp, and wagon wheels. Coffee crisps and wagon wheels were revealed to be 1st and 5th places, respectively. Sujay then asked the cast to guess what is in 2nd place. Shizuki and Kitara picked the ketchup chips, while Tajima picked the timbits. Tajima won that round. For third place, Shizuki picked the maple creme while Kitahara and Tajima picked the chips, and Shizuki won. By the way Shizuki and Kitahara were stealing bites of the timbits.
The second and final game was “charade challenge” in which the three of them take turns acting out various Canadian-themed things. The person who guessed correctly and the performer each are awarded points. Each attempt was 30 seconds long.
- (round 1) Tajima performed. Kitahara correctly guessed “beaver.”
- Kitahara performed, Shizuki correctly guessed “shoveling snow”
- Shizuki performed, Kitahara correctly guessed curling
- (round 2) Kitahara performed, Shizuki correctly guessed “salmon”
- Shizuki performed, Kitahara correctly guessed “snowboarding”
- Tajima performed, everyone failed to guess “lobster”
The end result from both games was Shizuki victory, which is why she was holding the beaver in the pic on Xitter.
Anyways, that was the end of the panel. Each cast member then gave their ending remarks.
Kitahara: Able to see everyone closely during the panel and how everyone is [She was literally doing this very obviously in the first half of the panel.] She is happy that everyone loves imas.
Tajima: Let’s enjoy this weekend and there’s more stuff both tomorrow and the day after.
Shizuki: Today was fun with the beaver and delicious timbits. WIsh we can talk more but we will be here rest of the weekend. I feel your love for imas and please tell others about imas!
After this point we took a group photo and the cast left the stage to applause. Folks also exited the room.
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PS. Ma’Scar’Piece put together a “music video” which is just their Canadian travelogue. It’s great check it out.
PPS. On that note the stage at Animethon is really well-produced. Last year they had a boom arm, which is unheard of at anime conventions (I think AX sometimes uses it, that’s it). This year they couldn’t do it so they used a drone and it looked really good. The side benefit is that unlike a boom cam it doesn’t block the view and it blow cold air into the crowd. I guess it does become a bit of a distraction to the audience in the back, and maybe also the performers. I think it got close to Chihara lol.
PPPS. Did you know you can go to Osaka in Edmonton, and DORINKU?
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