This page will hopefully answer any questions you may have regarding the Pretty Heroes convention (formerly the Toronto Sailor Moon Celebration). If you still have questions, please contact us and we will do our best to help you.
Where is Pretty Heroes held?
The in-person Pretty Heroes convention is held at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre in Toronto, Ontario. Check out our location page for more detailed information and directions.
What are the dates and times for Pretty Heroes?
Our annual, in-person convention is open to attendees for a full weekend, Saturday and Sunday. We are open 11:30am-10pm on the Saturday and 10:30am-7pm on the Sunday. Our next convention is July 18-19, 2026.
Online events are typically available to watch live or on-demand via our Youtube channel. Dates are announced in advance, as applicable.
What is the Health and Safety Policy?
Please use your own discretion for masks and distancing. If you choose to wear a mask, we encourage having multiple masks with you per day in case your mask becomes wet or soiled.
Hand sanitizer will be available for use in key areas including registration, the craft tables, as well as highlight guests’ tables (if applicable). We also recommend frequent hand washing, especially before eating. All event participants are expected to respect any distancing or mask preferences of our guests, panelists, dealers, and workshop leaders as applicable.
If additional changes are needed for the safety of any event participants, we will make announcements accordingly at the event.
Where can I find a schedule of the events and activities?
The online schedule for the convention is always released before the event. We will also have printed schedules available at the event on demand, if applicable.
Current and previous schedules are available for download via the What’s On page.
What does the layout look like?
Our floor plan for the 2026 convention is available here.
For all of our in-person events, you can find a list of our vendors and exhibitors via our dealers page to plan your shopping.
Signs will be posted to direct you to various areas. If you need help finding your way, please ask one of our crew members for assistance.
How much are tickets?
Our online events are typically free to attend, however we encourage charitable donations to organizations that we advocate you support.
Ticket pricing for in-person events is available via our ticket page when tickets are on sale. You can also sign up for our mailing list to be notified when online ticket sales are open for any in-person events and when early bird and pre-registration will end (if applicable).
Our next event is the Pretty Heroes convention 2026. You can find all the ticket pricing for it here.
How much are children’s tickets for in-person events?
Children 5 years and under are free. Children 6-11 receive a discount off the current adult ticket price for the convention and their badges will receive a “youth” sticker.
There is no visual distinction made for wristbands.
Where can I purchase tickets for in-person events?
Tickets for the in-person convention are available from our online ticket portal. We begin with early bird, then pre-registration pricing which ends approximately two weeks before the event. After that time, tickets can be purchased at the door of the event or online with the at door prices.
We do not make special trips to sell tickets, but they may be made available for in-person sales at our discretion (e.g. at other events). Please watch for announcements on our social media of locations where we will have in-person ticket sales available. You can also check our promotional appearances page.
How do I receive my tickets for an in-person event?
Please keep a copy of your receipt/eticket. You will need it for signing in at our registration desk at the event. You may show a printed copy of your receipt/eticket or a copy on an electronic device in order to pick up your badges at registration. We do not mail tickets. All receipts and etickets have unique identification, with etickets including a QR code, and will be cross-referenced at registration so that you can pick up your physical badge(s) and/or wristband(s).
What is the refund policy?
Please read all of the terms on your selected items before purchasing. Additional information, if applicable, is listed within item details/descriptions. We do not refund any items at 100%.
Our complete refund policy is available here.
USED TICKETS ARE NOT REFUNDABLE FOR ANY REASON.
If you wish to pick up Pretty Heroes merchandise at registration WITHOUT a ticket purchase, please ask our registration team to provide those items and/or have a team member retrieve them for you. Admission tickets are not required to purchase our merchandise.
What is the Code of Conduct?
All persons participating in the event are expected to be civil to other attendees. Harassment (including bullying) and assault are not tolerated and should be reported immediately to event staff (identifiable by their uniform). Reports can be made in person or by contacting the head organizer via email at [email protected]. If the concern is with a staff member or guest, please ask to speak with the operations manager or the head organizer. Any staff member with a radio/walkie can call the operations manager or the head organizer to come to you.
The operations manager and the head organizer are responsible for assessing complaints of harassment/assault and determining a course of action. Examples of unacceptable behaviour include, but are not limited to:
- Taking photos of event participants in a way that may be considered demeaning (e.g. a panty shot without consent),
- Repeatedly asking someone for personal information that is not needed in order for them to participate in event activities,
- “Glomping” or forcibly hugging someone by surprise,
- Distracting a service animal from performing their duties,
- Attacking another person with a cosplay prop,
- Causing damage to the venue,
- Causing physical harm to another participant (e.g. scrapes, bruises, broken bones),
- Racial slurs,
- Anti-LGBTQ+ remarks (including demeaning comments about “crossplay” and “crossdressing”),
- Sexist remarks,
- Or any other behaviour that makes an event participant feel uncomfortable or unsafe to continue being in event space with the accused.
All complaints will be discussed by upper management of the event, and a course of action could include:
- Giving the accused a warning,
- Confiscating admission and/or removal from event space without a refund for the accused,
- Banning the accused from future events,
- And/or contacting the police or other appropriate authorities for the most serious cases.
The course of action may be carried out by a staff member appointed by upper management or by upper management directly.
The safety of all event participants is one of our highest priorities. Do not block access to doorways or create congestion in high traffic areas as this could pose a safety issue for yourself and others. There are rest areas for people who want time to relax or need a quiet space, we encourage you to use them and our event crew are happy to direct you to them if you need help finding them.
You must abide by all Canadian laws while at the event venue and in event space. Do not bring any illegal items with you into the venue. If you have legal restrictions that prohibit you from entering the venue and/or event space, please do not attempt to attend the event as we may be forced to have you escorted out or notify the appropriate authorities.
Any person banned from the event will not be permitted to enter event space. If a person banned from the event causes disruption in the venue, we reserve the right to have you escorted out of the facility and/or to contact local authorities.
Any damage caused to the venue by any participant of the event will be the sole responsibility of the person(s) who caused the damage to rectify with the venue. The Pretty Heroes team takes no responsibility for the actions of vandals.
Disobeying other rules stated on this page may also result in removal without a refund. Anyone who is overly disruptive to the event, or participants of the event, may be asked to leave or ejected from event space without a refund, at the discretion of upper management. We reserve the right to remove anyone we consider to be too disruptive to the event to participate.
What is the Accessibility Policy?
If you have a disability that requires having a support worker to assist you, the support worker will be admitted free to the convention. Please discuss your request for any accommodations with us in advance via email or be prepared to discuss your request for any accommodations in person to our registration manager or the operations manager. We endeavour to accommodate all reasonable requests to the best of our ability. Per the AODA, we only require details on your requested accommodation and you are not required to specify or prove your disability to anyone at the event if you are not comfortable doing so.
We only hold events at accessible venues. Participants in Pretty Heroes who require the access of elevators can use the elevator near the main entrance to travel between the levels of the event, if applicable. All attendees are asked to give priority access to participants with mobility aids or strollers. If the main elevator is malfunctioning and you need to use an elevator, please request assistance from convention staff so that we may work with the venue to rectify the situation as soon as possible or provide an acceptable temporary solution, such as a secondary elevator that is available as a backup if the main elevator malfunctions.
The floor plan of the event is designed to be accommodating for mobility aids and strollers used by attendees. Please note that some of the depictions on the floor plan may not be exact and select items may be moved as needed to better accommodate for accessibility than shown. Participants using wheelchairs will be able to sit along select aisles (or have chairs removed on request) in panel rooms and the main stage seating and any attendant may use the seat next to them. If you need assistance finding appropriate seating as/for a person with a disability and/or an attendant, please ask our convention crew to help you. Our convention crew can temporarily remove chairs in programming areas to accommodate a wheelchair as needed.
All pathways in the event space should be able to accommodate a minimum of one wheelchair width, depending on how many people are in the general vicinity. If you have difficulty accessing any areas, please request assistance from a member of our convention crew.
Please note that video screenings may include flashing lights. If you are prone to seizures triggered by flashing lights, you may wish to avoid such screenings or at least applicable scenes featuring such effects for your own safety. As much as possible, we strive to provide a warning before applicable screenings start as a precaution. If you have concerns about any of the video screenings, please ask our convention crew for more information.
Please also note that while we may have limited crew members with sign language skills, we do not have any sign language interpreting planned for event programming. Please plan accordingly so that you can communicate your needs and enjoy the event. If you require sign language assistance, please contact us in advance and we will confirm if we will have anyone who might be able to assist at the event. Registration will also be equipped with pens and paper for writing any requests as needed.
The venue has a selection of accessible parking spaces. Please ensure that you have an appropriate, valid permit displayed to use them.
Service animals are always permitted. Service animals are recommended to have appropriate identification. If you have a service animal and they are not being treated appropriately, please ask our convention crew for assistance.
Emotional support animals and pets are not permitted as they may be prone to unpredictable behaviour in crowded environments.
How do I find the event space?
There will be directional signs leading you various areas in the event space. Our registration desk is near the main entrance. Please make sure you get your badge/wristband from registration before trying to access event space beyond registration. If you enter through a different door and need an escort to registration for an accessibility reason, you may request that an accessibility escort be provided.
How much is parking?
Parking for anyone attending Pretty Heroes is complimentary at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, however there are limited spaces. If you cannot find a space available, we suggest using a nearby paid parking lot as an alternative. Please exercise caution when crossing any streets if parking off-site.
Do guests of honour charge for autographs?
Yes, normally guests of honour do charge a nominal fee for autographs. Autographs are typically $10-$50 depending on the item size and depending on the guest. Some guests may charge $10 or more for photos as well. Video messages may also be available from guests at their discretion for a fee.
Cosplay guests may have prints and/or costume related items available for sale and will display their pricing at the event.
*Please note that pricing is subject to change at the discretion of the guests.*
Pricing for any other items that the guests of honour have available for purchase will be clearly displayed at the event.
What is the policy on pets?
Pets are NOT allowed at our venue during an event. Please leave your pet in the comfort of home or with a trusted caregiver. Only service animals are allowed in the building and we strongly recommend that they have appropriate identification. Emotional support animals are not considered to be service animals, thus they are are not permitted.
Please note that the event will be crowded and this could be distressing to some animals. We expect all attendees to be respectful of service animals and refrain from touching them without express permission. If you have a service animal and they are not being treated appropriately, please ask our convention crew for assistance.
What is the cosplay policy/dress code?
Our venue is a family friendly space and all clothing should be suitable for PG-13 or under. Cosplay is encouraged at our event, but all cosplay should provide adequate coverage. All areas that should be covered by a bathing suit/underwear need to be covered at all times at our events as well as while in the venue. If you are not adequately covered, you may be asked to change clothing. No nudity. No thongs. No pasties. No see-through clothing that shows private parts. Bikini tops and speedos are okay but must provide full coverage of private parts and your rear end.
Offensive and discriminatory clothing items are not permitted. This includes clothing that depicts nudity, profanity, hate speech, or adult content (including graphic sexual imagery or ahegao images). If you are found to be wearing clothing that is considered offensive or discriminatory, you will be asked to change clothing.
We do not permit costumes depicting current/recent uniforms of the military, law enforcement agencies, and other government agencies. Costumes of fictional uniforms are permitted as long as they won’t be confused for a current real-world uniform and are not associated with any hate groups.
Crew members have additional requirements for their dress code to maintain a professional appearance that is communicated to them by event management. Some crew may wear cosplay as long as it complies with the attendee dress code and does not interfere with their duties.
What is the policy on cosplay weapons and props?
Cosplay weapons and props are allowed, with some restrictions. The short version: if it could be mistaken for a real weapon or used as a weapon – it is not permitted.
No real swords are allowed, even for a cosplay prop, and will be confiscated. Obviously fake swords used as cosplay props are allowed. Small wooden baseball bats are allowed. No guns (even props) are permitted. No metal props. Metal accessories are permitted as long as they cannot be used as a weapon. Archery bows are allowed but no sharp arrows (suction cup or ball on the end, no metal or wooden tips). If in doubt, please ask us if the item you are thinking of bringing is allowed and we will coordinate with the venue to provide you an answer.
Please note that if you bring any kind of prop or cosplay weapon against the restrictions of the event and/or venue that they may be temporarily confiscated. People who are found to be using cosplay weapons/props to fight with others may be asked to leave.
Although we do not currently do peace bonding or enforce prop/weapons check for all props at our events, you can ask a staff member at registration to evaluate your prop for appropriateness on site. If it is not suitable, you will need to remove it from event space, or leave it at registration to be stored until you leave.
What is the policy on masks?
Masks worn for costumes and/or protection are permitted and encouraged. You may be asked to reveal your face to our registration team, other event crew, or venue staff on a limited basis for safety and/or identification. In the event of a health emergency that causes you to become unconscious, your mask may be removed in order to assist you.
Is there a coat/bag check?
We do not operate a coat/bag check service during our convention at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre. We have limited storage available for convention crew, special guests, and performers only.
There are individual lockers available in the change rooms near the martial arts courts. If you wish to use one, please bring your own lock.
Are we allowed to bring alcohol?
No. Alcohol is not permitted in the venue. Anyone found to have brought in alcohol will be escorted out of the event without a refund, have their badge revoked, and be reported to venue staff.
If you are of legal age to consume alcohol, please consume responsibly off-site.
Are there any food restrictions?
Outside food is allowed within the event space for personal consumption.
If you must consume items with common allergens, please be conscientious in the way you consumer them and immediately wash your hands with soap and water to mitigate potential contamination.
We may implement additional restrictions due to allergy concerns on an as-needed basis to protect our guests and crew. Any allergy restrictions that we may have will be clearly posted at all entry points to the event. If you are bringing an item to eat that goes against the allergy policy, please enjoy it outside of event space and wash your hands before interacting with any event participants.
Please do not bring any controlled substances or items containing controlled substances into the event. If you require the use of controlled substances for a medical condition, we ask that you use such substances responsibly and with the consideration of other attendees in mind. No smoking or vaping of any kind is permitted in event space or indoors. Please follow Canadian laws and rules of the venue to smoke/vape in designated outdoor areas.
Is there any food available on site/nearby?
At the convention, we have food dealers with a selection of food and beverages available on site for purchase. If you are interested in selling food at the convention, please submit an application to be a dealer. All food dealers for our convention must have liability insurance naming the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre as secondary insured and be approved by Toronto Public Health. Our event crew also sells a selection of beverages and snack items at the convention via the “Hero Café.”
There are a number of restaurants outside, many within a short walking distance. There is also a grocery store (Real Canadian Superstore) at Don Mills and Eglinton. Additional food options are available in a short driving distance. We recommend using Google Maps to search nearby for food options that will suit your needs.
What is the policy for photography/videography?
You can take photos and video in general, but you can’t have a dedicated space in our event area unless you pay for exhibitor space or have written permission from the head organizer. You also cannot charge for photos/videos or take photos/videos for commercial purposes inside event space without being set up as a dealer, paying for our pro photographer add-on (which functions as a permit and allows you to use our insurance), or otherwise acquiring permission in writing from the event organizer. We reserve the right to charge photographers/videographers a fee or revoke their badge if they are charging for photo shoots/videography inside event space if not already complying with these terms. For paid photo shoots/videography, we recommend that you conduct them outdoors so as not to require a pro photographer add-on. The garden in front is permitted to be used for photography/videography by any event participants. Use of the outdoor patio is at your own risk, but can also be used by event participants if not occupied by another party.
Please note that any space that is not dedicated event space is subject to the rules of the venue. You must obtain written permission from them to conduct photoshoots/videography inside the building in spaces that aren’t specifically reserved by the event. You may also require permission from them for photoshoots/videography on other venue property (including outdoors) if we have not already secured permission for all event participants. Without venue permission, the staff of the venue may ask you to leave at their discretion.
Our guests may have restrictions for photography and video, which will be stated as they apply (e.g. no videos of demos without the permission of the person doing the demo, no flash photography during any concert/performance type events for safety reasons, no video during performances if prohibited). Generally, our guests, panelists, and other event participants are fine with photos and videos being taken, including during performances, unless otherwise stated.
Some programming may be recorded by event staff for use by the event or by the person(s) leading specific programming. If you do not want to be filmed/photographed in an identifiable manner, please notify them of such at the beginning of the programmed session.
Any photos/videos you take cannot interfere with traffic flow or general enjoyment of event participants or other venue patrons. Always ask permission for taking pictures of children, and it’s preferable to ask permission for anything but crowd shots so that you get better pictures. Please be respectful of the venue and do not damage the venue or property in any way.
Per Canadian law, please also note that you cannot sell photos/videos taken of people at the event without their express permission.
Outside the event space, please make sure you abide by any rules of the venue. Large photography/videography equipment is not permitted in the event space except in a designated exhibitor booth. Please do not bring large photography/videography equipment such as lights to set up in event space or in the outdoor property of the event without express permission of the venue or the event organizer, as applicable. Anyone found to be using large photography/videography equipment in areas without approval may be asked to leave at the discretion of the venue and/or event.
Drones are not permitted to be used during scheduled event times (including setup and dismantle times). This applies to indoor as well as outdoor spaces.
Can I sell things to other attendees?
Unauthorized sales are not permitted inside the venue or in event space. The only people permitted to sell in the event are dealers, guests, and event crew acting on behalf of the event — with limited exceptions.
If you need to sell something privately and have made arrangements in advance, you must conduct your transaction(s) outdoors. If you solicit any business inside the event space and you are not approved to be making sales (as a dealer, guest, or on behalf of the event), you may be asked to leave.
Photographers who are conducting free photoshoots are permitted to conduct free photoshoots inside event space as long as they do not interfere with safety or traffic flow. Please coordinate with event crew in order to conduct any free photoshoots indoors so that we can direct you to appropriate locations.
Photographers conducting paid photoshoots are advised to conduct their photoshoots outdoors. If conducting any photoshoots in the garden, please coordinate with our event crew in order to avoid conflicts with scheduled programming, if applicable. For paid photoshoots indoors, you must have written permission from the venue to shoot in spaces not reserved for the event, purchase a pro photographer add-on for your badge to shoot in spaces reserved for the event, or make another arrangement in writing with the event organizer. Those conducting paid photoshoots in spaces without appropriate permission will be asked to relocate or may be charged a fee.