We connect and educate Chicagoans through their shared love of Japanese pop culture.
As a registered nonprofit in Illinois, we’re committed to bringing new and exciting anime experiences to all Chicagoans. Our members range from anime newbies to seasoned veterans, and everything in between.
Our programs include small discussions and larger seminars to meet new people, learn about Japan, and discover anime and manga titles that make us think critically. We also collaborate with Chicago’s art community-at-large and promote knowledge-sharing with other Japanese culture organizations.
If it’s related to Japanese pop culture and adjacent material – anime, manga, light novels, web comics, video games, vtubers, cosplayers, artists, directors, translators, academics – we love to talk about it!
Are you an anime convention?
Are you an anime convention? No, we’re a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community that hosts meetups, publishes articles, and runs several recurring programs. We are not affiliated with local anime conventions, though we do present panels regularly. We’ve had academic panels at our Symposium Series, but our time is best spent hosting small local events.
Where do donations go?
Where do donations go? Our annual budget is allocated to Meetup.com fees, marketing materials, legal registration fees, and supplies for our events. No one gets paid for organizing or hosting AnimeChicago activities. We try to supply all of our guest speakers with a modest honorarium for their time and expertise. As a nonprofit, we do not grant refunds for tax-exempt donations or ticket sales under $5.
Who can become a member?
Members must be 21 years or older, and our membership ranges primarily through 20s, 30s, and 40s. We meet at bars and discuss mature topics. Meetup.com does not allow minors on their platform, and we do not offer programs for kids or teens.
Will you speak at my event?
We’re flattered! AnimeChicago is on a mission to educate Chicagoans on all things Japanese Pop Culture. Please contact us with details on your opportunity.
We’re open to collaborative pitches, big and small.
| Status | 501(c)3 Nonprofit |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Incorporated | 2014 |
| Events Hosted | 896 events |
| Meetup Roster | 3,484 members |
| Average Attendees | 6–40 people |
| Age Range | 25-50 years old |
| Background | Mixed Education & Employment |
| Engagement Rate | 10% engaged |
| Newsletter Roster | 700+ subscribers |
| Discord Roster | 500+ members |
| Site Visitors | 1100 unique visitors |
| Site Pageviews | 1650 pages viewed |
| Site Visit | 1m 10s on page |
| Meetup Visitors | 400 unique visitors |
| Meetup Pageviews | 2400 pages viewed |
| Meetup Visit | 3m 9s on page |
Nov 2026 – Launched Website
This whole endeavor started as a simple news website to make Chicago’s anime communities more visible and connected.
May 2012 – Started an Organization
Maintaining a website for six years was a passion project, and we needed more help. After asking around for potential authors and editors, there were enough people saying they wanted to join a club. So we started one.
Jan 2014 – Joined Meetup
The stars aligned when AnimeChicago had a large enough team and we wanted to grow bigger. We joined Meetup to reach more anime fans who valued in-person meetups and socializing on the regular.
Apr 2014 – Incorporated as Nonprofit
After eight years of personally funding the organization’s bills, we decided to incorporate and truly bring our mission of educating Chicagoland on Japanese pop culture to a bigger stage.
May 2016 – Explored Japan
A group of us planned our first long-distance trip! We absorbed all the cuisine, entertainment, nature, and history that Japan had to offer in 10 days.
Nov 2016 – 10 Years and Counting!
It’s been a wild ride! AnimeChicago has faced many challenges in the previous decade, but each one has made us evolved and grown stronger.
Oct 2017 – A Thousand Members
Our humble club hit 1,000 members and we couldn’t be prouder.
Meet the Board
AnimeChicago is governed by passionate fans, life-long learners, and aspiring leaders. We meet every Sunday to plan events, manage our community, and advocate for local partners. We’re committed to producing exciting anime experiences for all Chicagoans as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Jamie
Founder, President
Jamie is a creative marketing consultant obsessed with community building. She created AnimeChicago.com to connect anime fans to local events in 2006. Little did she know – this project would shape her career and network for life! Jamie is also co-founder of the interactive arts festival Bit Bash and a VGA Gallery board member.
Her top anime are Cowboy Bebop, Mushishi, and Jujitsu Kaisen.
Jeremy
Vice-President
Jeremy is an analyst and programmer supporting enterprise data management. He has been an AnimeChicago member since 2012 and a board member since 2014. Jeremy loves discussing anime with fellow fans, and is the main moderator for AnimeChicago’s Anime Circle discussions.
His top anime are Fullmetal Alchemist, Samurai Champloo, and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time.
JPod
Secretary
JPod is a data analyst who specializes in visualization and dashboards. He has been an AnimeChicago board member since 2017 where his focus is on developing new programs, expanding creative endeavors, and general research. He enjoys writing about anime, Magic: the Gathering, and craft beer.
His top anime are Neon Genesis Evangelion, Serial Experiments Lain, and Cowboy Bebop.
Gabe
Treasurer, Systems Admin
Gabe is a senior systems engineer for a large enterprise company. He’s passionate about rhythm games, cosplay photography, and finding creative solutions within challenging constraints. Gabe has been board Treasurer since 2014, and he hosts our quarterly Anime Sampler.
His top anime are Puella Magi Madoka Magica, One Piece, and Kill la Kill.
Neil
Board Member, Researcher
Neil is a Business Intelligence Analyst and administrator who has been active in anime fandom since the early 2000s. Neil runs Anime Deep Dive, Manga Circle, and has been a board member since 2012. He has an interest in anime and manga that are overlooked and underappreciated and loves film in general. He loves anime like Studio Ghibli films, Satoshi Kon’s work, high budget bubble economy anime and late night mind bending shows from the late 90s / early 00s.
His top anime are Serial Experiments Lain and Paranoia Agent.
Grace
Board Member, Editor, MC
Grace is an HR professional working in engagement, culture, and DEI. She met Jamie through a shared love of anime and building community, and officially joined the AnimeChicago Board in 2020. She acts as MC in our major events, and helps in the background with policy development and editing.
Her top anime are Sailor Moon, Yuri on Ice!!, and the movie Your Name.
Codename: Windy
- Profession: Mech Pilot
- Traits: Magenta bob, 5’ 2” tall
- Gear: Fully-operational mech
- Fight Mode: Turquoise tunic, white leggings, two-dongle headband with six-point stars
- Casual Mode: Modern asymmetric attire, single Chicago star hairpin on left side
- Personality: Super positive, realistic, resourceful
- Flaws: Overly boisterous when victorious
- Loves: Huge festivals, meetups
- Avoids: Spicy foods, gossip
- Inspiration: Overwhelming stature of the Sears Tower
- Kinda Like: Haruhi Fujioka from Ouran Host Club, Celty Sturluson from Durarara!!, Akane Tsunemori / Psycho-Pass.
- Not Like: Haruhara Haruko from FLCL, Mikasa Ackerman from Attack on Titan, The Major from Ghost in the Shell
Codename: Chilly
- Profession: Samurai
- Traits: Spiky ice blue pompadour, 6’ 2” tall
- Gear: Futuristic katana, power boots
- Fight Mode: Modern white kimono with ice blue accents
- Casual Mode: White haori jacket, navy shirt, navy straight-leg pants, sandals
- Personality: Quiet, reserved, calculating
- Flaws: Doesn’t always understand satire or sarcasm
- Loves: Eating all the foods, sailing on the lake
- Avoids: Traffic, ketchup on hot dogs
- Inspiration: Waves on Lake Michigan
- Kinda Like: Samurai Jack, Goemon Ishikawa from Lupin III, Jin from Samurai Champloo
- Unlike: Mugen from Samurai Champloo, Zoro from One Piece, Vicious from Cowboy Bebop
Codename: ???
- Profession: Ninja
- Traits: Charcoal hair in locks, 5’ 8” tall
- Gear: High-tech ninja tools
- Fight Mode: Standard ninja attire with lime green accents
- Casual Mode: All-black athletic clothes with lime green sneakers and accents
- Personality: Goofy, playful, thrill-seeking
- Flaws: Fumbles a lot due to confidence issues
- Loves: Attending music shows and performances off-the-beaten path
- Avoids: Crowded events, tough emotions
- Inspiration: Wild onions of pre-Chicago wetland
- Kinda Like: Darui from Naruto, Midoriya Izuku from Boku no Hero Academia
- Unlike: Naruto or Sasuke from Naruto, Luffy from One Piece
A Million Thank Yous!
We owe so much to our current contributors and past volunteers. We couldn’t have made all of these amazing things happen without their support and continued encouragement.
Thank you – Shaun, Ruben, Jason, Nik, Natasha, and many others!