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+ older.
Join today on Meetup + Discord!
✶ 2024 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 Thu): 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 ✶
- Take our quiz for a solid anime recommendation
- Listen to our podcast Anime’s Game Changers
- Check our City Guide for Japan-related events, creators, and organizations
- Join for email updates on anime films, pop culture events, and our mission
- Support our nonprofit to deliver more events to Chicago-area fans
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- C2E2 Roll Call – Booth, Meetups, Discord, & more!McCormick Place, Chicago, IL
Going to C2E2?
- RSVP here and buy your ticket now to avoid the line.
- Share your plans, pics, invites, cosplay, etc on Discord
- Say hello at AnimeChicago’s booth #SQ-896!
- Fri + Sat + Sun @ 2pm: Meet local fans, test your trivia knowledge, get watch recs, record your fan stories, and more at our booth!
- Sun 11am in S401-D: Find our president at Starting and Maintaining an Anime Community
See you there!
- Weekly Art Circle via DiscordLink 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.
- Member Mixer via DiscordLink visible for attendees
★★★ SETUP DISCORD BEFORE EVENT ★★★
Join our monthly social! Mixers are perfect for meeting fellow members, especially if you haven't been to many (or any) of our events yet.
Discord Mixers work like this:
- 6:45 Open – Test your audio/video in #stream
- 7:00 Intro – Say hello in #stream chat during announcements
- 7:15 Shuffle – 4-person rooms randomly rotate every 15-20 minutes
- 8:30 Close – Group picture and final words
We recommend using a computer with headphones. Android phones may disconnect.