Articles

Musings direct from our members

May 7, 2025
· Grace Z
Anime Central 2025 – Across the Board
We’re a few days from Anime Central, Chicago’s biggest anime convention fondly known as ACen. So we asked AnimeChicago teammates…
Feb 27, 2025
· Jamie S
2024 Annual Report: A Year of Connection
18 years later, and AnimeChicago not only keeps the lights on – we’re strengthening our social ties daily. Tough times…
Aug 21, 2025
· Jeremy P, Neil C
Anime’s Game Changers – Sayo Yamamoto
Sayo Yamamoto’s catalog might still be small, but it is impossible to ignore her impact on anime. Focused on realism…
Sep 29, 2024
· Jamie S
Chicago’s Anime Clubs
AnimeChicago Our shameless plug to join our nonprofit — with over 3,000 Meetup members and access to our Discord community.…
Sep 29, 2024
· Jamie S
Special Interest Communities in Chicagoland
Chicago Cosplay and Photography Meet-Ups Volunteer-run events and hub for cosplayers and photographers to gather, network, and collaborate. https://www.facebook.com/groups/Cosmeetupchicago/ Gunpla…
Sep 29, 2024
· Jamie S
Japanese Culture, Arts, & Industry here in Chicagoland
Japanese Arts Foundation at the Japanese Culture Center Nonprofit programs and educational opportunities to share Japanese art equitably and accessibly.…
Sep 29, 2024
· Jamie S
Japanese-inspired Entertainment in Chicago
Anime Mondays at Logan Arcade Presenting all things anime and animation every last Monday of the month, starting at 7pm.…
Sep 29, 2024
· Jamie S
Our Favorite Spots for Japanese Cuisine + Nightlife
Mitsuwa Food Court Ramen, curry, soba, crepes, matcha ice cream… Mitsuwa has you covered for whatever you’re craving. https://mitsuwa.com/ch/ Konbini &…
Sep 29, 2024
· Jamie S
Local Shops for Sourcing Cosplay
Chicago Costume Company Outfitting Chicagoan in simple to elaborate costumes since 1976. Its two locations are a good choice for…
Sep 29, 2024
· Jamie S
Local Businesses for Merch, Goods, Snacks, and More!
Mitsuwa Marketplace Japanese goodies galore at this supermarket, bakery, gift stores, food court, Kinokuniya bookstore, and more! mitsuwa.com/ch/ Tensuke Market…
Sep 29, 2024
· Jamie S
Local Creators
AnimeChicago Members @Yamcans Kat Janda-DuWaldt, known as “@Yamcans” online, is an artist by night, and a dentist (yes, really) by…
Mar 7, 2024
· Jamie S
2023 Annual Report: My Kind of Town
Here at AnimeChicago, we’re serious about connecting our local anime community and celebrating the best of Japanese pop culture. That’s…
Feb 7, 2024
· Jeremy P, Neil C
Anime’s Game Changers: Our Interview with FACETS
The spaces in which we enjoy anime and the people who share in that joy can be just as much…
Oct 3, 2023
· Jeremy P, Neil C
Anime’s Game Changers: Shinichiro Watanabe, Part 2
Acclaimed anime director Shinichiro Watanabe’s career didn’t end with the fantastic Samurai Champloo. Even with a long gap between Champloo…