What we're about

Meet new people while critically exploring anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture! Founded in 2006, our nonprofit club offers a friendly, inclusive space for first-timers and veterans to discuss titles they love and discover new obsessions with friends 21 and older.

Join today on Meetup + Discord!

★ 2023 SCHEDULE ★

  • Special Events: Join us for random outings at movies, cons, and festivals!
  • Member Mixers (1st Thu): Meet like-minded fans, discuss all things anime.
  • Manga Circle (2nd Sun): Book-club for selected manga or specific arcs.
  • Anime Circle (3rd Sun): Book-club for selected anime titles. Spoilers!
  • Art Circle (Weds): Work on your creative project with friendly regulars.
  • Anime Deep Dive (every other Tues): Watch a hidden gem and chat about it.
  • Anime Sampler (3rd Sat every season): Discover the latest anime together!

★ BEYOND MEETUP ★

Upcoming events (4+)

Member Mixer at Dovetail Brewery

Dovetail Brewery

Mixers are all about meeting other members, so it's perfect if you haven't been to many (or any) of our meetups yet.

  • This is a 21+ bar so bring your valid ID
  • Check-in for a name tag when you arrive
  • Support this venue with a purchase
  • Non-alcoholic beverages available
  • 3-minute walk from Brown Line, #80
  • Ample street parking

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Anime Deep Dive: Gasaraki

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Gasaraki is a 1998 mecha tv series from the king of real robot mech shows Ryusuke Takahashi (Votoms, Flag!) and is his response to the wave of ambitious anime tv produced in the wake of the success of Neon Genesis Evangelion. Set in a plausible world where the UN is on a peacekeeping mission in the fictional country of Belgistan (strangely similar to Iraq with events echoing the first Iraq war) the show eventually combines elements of traditional Japanese culture like Noh into an increasingly complex web of geopolitical intrigue.

The flames of war explode in the Middle East as two shadow forces unleash monstrous new weapons of mass destruction! But in a world in which giant robots are real, the most dangerous weapon of all lies buried within a human mind. Yuushirou, the fourth son of the mysterious and powerful Gouwa family, finds himself at the center of events that will change the future of mankind forever! Nothing can prepare the human race for what is about to be unleashed in Gasaraki!

Join us as we take a look at an overlooked mecha show from one of the masters of the genre.

1
Art Circle: An Online Creator Space

Link visible for attendees

★★★ SETUP DISCORD BEFORE EVENT ★★★

Art Circle is your place to draw, color, sketch, model, and whatever other creative endeavor you're into!

Work on your creations in the video chat and let's talk art, anime, and whatever you're in the mood for!

Feel free to share what you've worked on, get some constructive criticism, and provide your own feedback for others.

Manga Circle: Yokohama Kaidashi Kikō - Introduction (first 2 volumes)

Link visible for attendees

★★★ SETUP DISCORD BEFORE EVENT ★★★

Manga Circle typically meets on second Sundays to discuss a selected work of manga and its international relevance. This event is suitable for attendees 18+ with any level of manga knowledge or experience. We recommend reading the entire selection beforehand – spoilers guaranteed!

Manga Circle typically meets on second Sundays to discuss a selected work of manga and its international relevance. This event is suitable for attendees 18+ with any level of manga knowledge or experience. We recommend reading the entire selection beforehand – spoilers guaranteed!

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Yokohama Kaisdashi Kikou or (ヨコハマ買い出し紀行) or Yokohama Shopping Log (commonly abbreviated as YKK) is a critically acclaimed manga from Hitoshi Ashinano (芦奈野ひとし) that depicts a subtly surreal, relaxing world inhabited by Androids and the remnants of a decayed human civilization post climate catastrophy. Despite its potentially dark backdrop the story focuses mainly on the quiet adventures of its android protagonist, Alpha Hatsuseno and her friends and they go on simple adventures and enjoy the small things in life.

We are going to be reading the first 2 volumes of this classic Iyashikei manga that has been long awaited in the English speaking world.

Getting the Comic
Please allow for more time for this to ship given the state of things. Some books are available through your local public library - CPL for Chicago has a very extensive collection. Please let me know if there are issues with books being delayed.

Past events (696)

Anime Circle: Your Name

This event has passed