How to Start an Anime Club

Does your significant other refuse to watch another Mazinger Z? Nothing but blank stares and cricket chirps when you mention the latest Hayao Miyazaki film at the office? Don't panic - you are not alone. Share your love for Japanese animation by starting an anime club.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• television
• anime DVDs and videos
• Japanese snacks
• DVD player or VCR

1. Locate prospective members by canvassing friends, putting up flyers, posting discussion board messages, requesting PA announcements and placing classified ads. Start small - you can always add members later.

2. Find a place to meet regularly, such as a private residence, classroom, public library or friendly retail store. The meeting place should allow everyone to sit in comfort for at least 2 hours.

3. Arrange regular access to a television and a VCR or DVD player at the meeting location.

4. Agree on some basic rules for the club, incorporating the existing rules of the meeting place. Viewing preferences, convenient meeting times, possible membership fees, anime video sources and content concerns are good topics for discussion.

5. Record contact information (e-mail and/or phone) for all members.

6. Watch anime together. Movie snacks - especially Japanese snacks - will be a big hit.

7. Discuss what you've watched and what you'd like to watch next.

8. If members want to spend more time together, plan additional activities such as movie excursions, sushi runs, anime and manga shopping trips, conventions and cosplay (costume play) parties.

Tips & Warnings

• A large television or LCD projector combined with a surround sound system will greatly improve your viewing experience. Many private residences feature superb home theaters.
• If you need to convince institutional gatekeepers (parents, teachers, administrators) that an anime club is worthwhile, stress anime's educational aspects: gateway to another language and culture, visual art form, dramatic narrative and social commentary.
• Becoming an official club at a school or university may confer benefits, and some restrictions.
• Don't charge for showings or hold public showings unless you obtain permission from the copyright holders. This usually requires contacting the distributor well in advance, following their guidelines and possibly paying a fee.
• Don't show anime that are considered unsuitable for younger viewers unless your club has a strictly enforced adult age limit.