Autograph Policies

AUTOGRAPH POLICIES

• GENERAL POLICIES
  1. Follow all directions provided by staff. The guest and their management will not take special requests or answer any questions.
  2. Specific instructions regarding a particular guest’s autograph sessions (signature policy and item policy) can be found on their individual biography page of the Otakuthon website.
  3. No individual is entitled an autograph by lining up for an autograph session. We recommend arriving early, as latecomers run the chance of missing their opportunity.
• SIGNATURE POLICIES
  1. All guests will provide at least one autograph free of charge on your official program book or on any of their officially licenced goods unless otherwise noted.
  2. Additional autographs or photos are at the guest’s discretion and may require an additional fee.
  3. Please review each guest’s biography page for details on their signature policy. Note that some guests may have specific restrictions on how free autographs can be received.
  4. To keep the line moving and allow as many of your fellow attendees the opportunity to also get their coveted autograph:
  5. Please observe a 30-second limit.
  6. Please be sure to have your item out and ready to be signed when you approach the front of the line.
  7. Priority may be given to attendees purchasing official merchandise from the guest.
• ITEM POLICY
  1. Staff reserve the right to inspect any item before it is presented to the guest. Items deemed inappropriate or unsuitable (at their discretion) will be excluded from being signed.
  2. DO NOT bring any bootleg items (they will not be signed). If you are not sure, ask first.
  3. Guests will gladly sign your official program book or any of their officially licenced goods. Guests may sign other types of items at their discretion.
  4. Please review each guest’s biography page for details on any excluded items.
• LIMITATIONS AND EXPULSIONS
  1. Always be respectful towards our guests. Anyone being rude, malicious, or intentionally disrespectful towards guests or staff will be removed from the line and may result in expulsion from the event.
  2. Please be polite and avoid touching any of the Japanese guests without permission.
  3. While we aim to provide autograph opportunities for as many people as possible, we reserve the right to end the line and the autograph session at any time. Additionally, we reserve the right to refuse access to any attendee who does not comply with the autograph or with convention policies.
• HIGH-PROFILE AUTOGRAPH SESSION
  1. Attendees will be able to line up for any “high-profile” autograph session happening on the same calendar day as soon as the autograph room is open.
  2. To minimize wait time and increase the chance for everyone to receive the autograph they desire, we are implementing a token system for any autograph sessions deemed “high profile” by Otakuthon.
     • A token is a unique identifier registered inside the Otakuthon badge by a member of the staff valid for the day it was registered.
     • Once the line fills up (approx 60 people), a token will be placed inside the badge of each person in the line. The token will act as a placeholder to let attendees enjoy the convention without having to wait in line until the time of the corresponding autograph session.
     • A strict one token per badge per day policy will be enforced.
     • Token holders must return to the autograph line 30 minutes before the session starts to secure their spot. If the token line empties before the token holder returns, they will lose their place in line.
     • The token line will start as soon as the guest is ready to start the autograph session.
     • At the start of the autograph session, a “LAST CHANCE” line may be formed at the discretion of Otakuthon staff.
     • Otakuthon staff will scan the badge of everyone who is waiting to ensure only valid token holders have access to the token line.
     • Otakuthon reserves the right to request that a picture ID be produced by attendees when prompted. Only valid passports, valid health insurance cards or valid driver’s licences will be accepted.
     • Otakuthon reserves the right to deny the token to anyone not respecting the rules, at its sole discretion.
  3. In the event that the token line is empty and that the autograph session is still in progress, attendees in the “LAST CHANCE” line will be processed until the end of the session.
  4. Being a token holder or being in the “LAST CHANCE” line does not guarantee an autograph.
  5. All autograph rules of Otakuthon still apply to “high-profile” autograph sessions.

Tips:

• Many guests have their own merchandise table in the Exhibition Hall. You can find their location in your Otakuthon program book.
• Arrive early to secure your opportunity.
• Be prepared.