Thrilled anime and manga fans go to the anime club period 8 on Tuesday in room 371 to relieve stress and to talk about something they are passionate about. After talk of disbanding due to no available rooms, members are excited to go to meetings every week. President Alisa Grant ’12 is also pleased that they were able to find a room. “It is fun talking to other people about something I love,” said Kate Wong ’13. “It is my favorite hobby, and it relieves stress.”
The members have their own reasons for joining the club. Some members are glad to find friends who share the same interest that they have. “I love anime, it’s addicting and I’m pretty sure a lot of other people in our school are addicted too,” said Heidy Rong ’13.
Every week someone in the club brings a DVD of an anime or anime movie, such as My Neighbor Totoro, and the whole club watches the DVD. It is not mandatory to watch the movie so members are free to talk among themselves about other anime or manga. There are also groups formed to discuss specific anime series. Heidy ’13 is in the “Naruto” group. “My main goals are to show new animes and to let them (members) know of anime/Japanese culture related events in the area,” said Alisa ’12.
In the future the anime club plans to go to conventions or festivals about anything that relates to anime/Japanese culture. There is a yearly trip to Anime Boston, which is an anime convention. “The trip has been happening since I was a freshman, most likely even longer, so I would say it’s a bit of a tradition.” Alice said.
Members also look forward to the Cherry Blossom Festival at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens and the SpringFest, which is a free anime convention, held at NYU Polytechnic University. With around 25 members, the anime club consists of many juniors and sophomores who are free period eight and are fanatical about anime. “Anime club is amazing and fun,” said Vice President Danny Fan ‘14.