Skip to content

Chicago Anime Hangouts cover photo

Chicago Anime Hangouts

Chicago, IL, US

2,347 members · Public group

Organized by Mike and 14 others

Share:

Join this group

Join this group

What we’re about

This group is for fans of Japanese anime, manga, and media. We gather to discuss our favorite shows, share recommendations, and more.

Join us on Discord or WhatsApp (LinkTree for photo albums/groupchats - we have ones for outdoors/food/general).

---

We hope it provides a safe space for people who like all things anime, including cosplay, gaming, and geek culture. With this group, you can expect events like conventions, films at local theaters, seasonal anime screenings, arcade nights, and more!

Our reoccurring events include the following:

Seasonal Anime Screening (once a season)
Picnic/Potluck (once a season)
Arcade Nights (every month)
Bring Your Own Manga Book Club (every month at a new coffee shop)

If you have any event suggestions feel free to message to the organizers. If you would like to host events, don't hesitate to reach out. :D

We have a girl's group (get in touch with Neikey, one of our organizers), and a guy's group (get in touch with Mike, one of our organizers) to provide a safe space for people and allow people to hang out offline.
---

Don't Forget To Be Awesome!
(All of our members must adhere to our Code of Conduct.)

---

Cover image is inspired by INT'L Cafe Chicago.

Upcoming events (4+)

Sun, Aug 3, 2025, 1:00 PM CDTBring Your Own Manga Book Club @ Dialtone Coffee & Wine Bar (Old Town)
Dialtone Coffee & Wine Bar, Chicago, IL
hi - bring what you've been reading whether it's manga, light novels, manhwa, and more. hope to talk about what we've been reading, exchange recommendations, and more. just show up :D

this will be a reoccurring monthly event, where we will be trying out new coffee shops, and venues while talking about anime.

(if there's no seating, we will walk to Seward (William) Park, 375 W Elm St, Chicago, IL 60610)

---
Coffee, cocktails, pastries & classic brunch dishes in an industrial-chic cafe with a terrace.

has outdoor patio seating.

~~~
we hope to see you there!
12 attendees+7
Wed, Aug 6, 2025, 5:30 PM CDTNourishing Hope - Online Market Evening Packing (Volunteer) (West Town)
1716 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL
meetup for chicago anime hangouts! hope to have conversations about anime, and manga and more. just show up :D just note that this is the first event focused around volunteering, and helping people, so be prepared to learn more about the non-profit we're working with in addition to the socializing aspect, and getting a meal or dessert afterwards.

Nourishing Hope is an established Chicago food pantry, providing free food in a comfortable person-focused environment, with social and mental health services.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SIGNING UP TO VOLUNTEER AT BOTTOM

description: come help us pack orders for Nourishing Hope's Online Market! Then we will load orders into the van for distribution. Volunteers are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and closed toed shoes. Gloves provided at individual shifts.

schedule:
5:30: get trained to help load orders and pack for Nourishing Hope.
post-meetup: open to walk to Sabroso! Mexican Grill (624 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 - 8 minute walk away) to grab a light meal, or grab smoothies/dessert nearby.

we hope to see you there!

---INSTRUCTIONS---
Volunteering at Nourishing Hope (formerly Lakeview Pantry):
Register to be a volunteer: Form Link

Already have a volunteer account? Login into your personal volunteer site (link here), click Volunteer Calendar, and enter the group code: 2809 under "I have a Group Code." Watch this helpful video!
10 attendees+5
Fri, Aug 8, 2025, 11:30 PM UTCFilm Friday: Sonic OVA (Online)
Link visible for attendees
For Film Friday, we'll be watching the Sonic the Hedgehog (OVA).

The movie will start after a couple minutes of setup, but the hosts will be in the general voice channel of the Chicago Anime Hangout Discord. You can find the invite link to the Discord either here or in the "What we're about" description of the Chicago Anime Hangout Meetup page.

Commentary is welcomed and will take place during the movie, but if you don't want additional background noise, you can mute and deafen in the call while still being able to watch the movie with audio.

You might know what we're going to watch, but that's not gonna help you because we know what YOU'RE going to watch! Strange, isn't it?!
6 attendees+1
Sun, Aug 10, 2025, 6:00 PM CDTFunny and Fascinating Presentations: Learn and Laugh with a Twist
Beermiscuous, Chicago, IL
The highly requested event is back again, this time with a twist if you choose to be daring. Just like before you will present whatever you want, however if you want to have fun with friends, you can write a funny and secret presentation and have someonee else present as if it was their own. However if you do so you also have to present a random secret presentation as well so keep that in mind. This will be team A. If you want to present your own topic just like last time then no worries. You will be in team B.

The presentations for now will be around 5-10 minutes although this can be subject to change (10 minutes will most likely be the max time). It will be a PowerPoint (Pptx. or Google Slides). They can be anime themed or other topics you are passionate about. Comedy is highly encouraged and the topics can be as silly as you want. Nothing offensive or disrespectful though. You can work by yourself or in groups. You can also make a presentation for a friend and have them try to present with no idea of what it is. Please DM me here or our discord group if you are interested with some topic ideas and if you will be in a group or not. Once you are done please make sure to share your presentations with me at least 3 days before the event. If you have questions or concerns you can text me and I will do my best to answer as soon as possible.Here are some fun presentation examples to give you ideas:

https://youtu.be/N8TUB2IgjmU?si=sQ47aqND6HIbBbJw(History Presentation By Fairbairn Films)
https://youtu.be/gtPxuC60GU4?si=7AaMmHV8gytvVne(How To Improve Our Bodies By DropOut)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GticBbJR1Q (Why Children Should Be Taxed At Not Anthpo)

You don’t have to have a presentation to attend but higher priority will be given to those that present to RSVP first as we can only have 30 people.

Beermiscuous is a cafe-style bar and you can purchase beers, ciders, wine, hard seltzers, hard kombucha, canned cocktails, THC beverages, and non-alcoholic beer. For this reason this event will be 21+ ( don’t forget your ids). Outside alcohol beverages are not allowed but you can bring soft drinks or water! Also please don’t go overboard as we will be helping to clean afterwards. We will have one tab but split it by the end of the night so please be mindful. You are also allowed to bring your own food so snacks will be encouraged!

Beermiscuous does not have a parking lot. But there is paid parking along Lincoln Ave and free parking on Diversey Pkwy as well as Lakewood Ave (~1 block west of the shop).

Please remember to be courteous and respectful to all presentations as this will be a fun and inclusive event for all!
30 attendees+25

Past events (181)

Sat, Jul 26, 2025, 10:30 AM CDTSummer Fair (Saturday) @ Chinatown
This event has passed
63 attendees+58

Find us also at

Related topics