Hi 78 / Lo 63
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Volume 72, Issue 111,
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
News Club strives to be social Anime no Kai members say group is
as much about making friends
by KIM THAI
Anime no Kai translates from Japanese to "anime club," but over the years, the group has revolved a social organization and a source of lasting friendships for members. Founded by three members in 1994, Anime no Kai is the oldest anime college organization in Texas. Today, members not only attend anime conventions and watch movies, but they also celebrate Japanese culture, organize social outings, such as attending Astros games, and hold barbecues, current president and University Studies sophomore Jonathan Ramirez said. Shane West, former president and five-year member, said anime fans are often stereotyped, but the club works to challenge those preconceived notions. "(When) most people think of anime fans, they think of a little cartoon-obsessed kid or someone who is socially inept," West said. "We decided to be more a social club -- to just get out there. We're not all about anime. Some clubs are a lot about what it is. We're not all about watching cartoons for eight hours a day. We do that, but we (also) do other stuff." Ramirez said the organization has helped him make loyal friends and that he and the other 40 members feel a sense of community. "It's not just anime. It's also a good social well-being for others as well," Ramirez said. "After a showing, we refuse to go sit in a dark room for another two hours. We do have a social life. We go out. A lot of our members are grateful. A lot have said that they probably wouldn't have gained a social life (without Anime no Kai) or made friends so quickly. " Something unique to the organization is that the members are able to work for Houston-based A. D. Vision, the No. 1 anime distribution company outside of Japan, once a month by assisting with new film promotions that are sent across the nation, Ramirez said. Most of the anime shown at club events is still only available in Japan, but these series are "as wide-ranging as TV American sitcoms," and there are genres that will fit anyone's entertainment needs, Anime no Kai librarian Daniel Bottoms said. At the time of the interview, Bottoms was downloading 10 gigabytes worth of anime and has already accumulated about 2.3 terabytes worth over the years. He also owns about 2,500 anime DVDs. Anime no Kai hosts showings twice a week. Screenings for members take place from 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays in the University Center's Lone Star Room, and public screenings are held from 1 to 5:30 p.m. Fridays in the UC's Atlantic Room. Anime no Kai also has co-showings with the Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual Alliance twice a semester to show gay and lesbian anime because of the shared interest, Ramirez said. A $10 initial membership fee for new members starts each semester's point system. Points are earned in numerous ways but come mostly from club participation. These points are then used to fund trips, for discounts during conventions and at the end-of-the-semester party. New members can join Anime no Kai at any time. The next convention trip is Anime Matsuri, which will be held from April 27 to 29 at the George R. Brown Convention Center. For more information, visit www.animenokai.com. Send comments to dcnews@mail.uh.edu |
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