Articles
Musings direct from our members
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 what they were most excited to see and attend. Plan…
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 call for resilient communities. Our focus is uniting Chicagoans through…
Games. Anime. Stuff.
AnimeChicago’s Interview series highlights local organization leaders, artists and personalities. We’re chatting with Carl Dayagdag of Games. Anime. Stuff., a Chicago-based podcast for anime and video game fans. AC: Who…
Cosplay photoshoot ends with security escort
I attended a moderately-sized cosplay photoshoot on Saturday, April 13th at Navy Pier. This was a private event in order to control attendance size. The organizers took steps to ensure…
Chicago film critic Roger Ebert passes at 70
Long-time Chicago icon and legendary film critic Roger Ebert passed away today after recurring battles with cancer. Ebert was known by the anime community as an admirer and advocate of…
AnimeChicago on Geekspotting
I was recently invited to promote AnimeChicago on local podcast Geekspotting, a bi-weekly show that entices listeners to diversify their fandoms. Check out Episode 21 – Super Weaving Power at The Geekspotting Website. A big…
Uniqlo Snubs Chicago – We have sad faces
Despite our abundant enthusiasm for a Chicago Uniqlo store, Racked.com has reported that parent company Fast Retailing is focusing their efforts on the East and West Coasts, leaving Chicagoans out of…
AnimeWorld to Merge with Wizard World
Big announcement posted on the AnimeWorld Insider blog earlier this month: AnimeWorld Expos is joining forces with Wizard World to offer a range of anime-related events, guests and panels at…
Anime Trivia Trap
AnimeChicago’s Interview series highlights local organization leaders, artists and personalities. For our fourth edition, we’re highlighting Chicagoan local Brent Rolland and his convention game show, Anime Trivia Trap. AC: What…
2012 Annual Report: An Awesome Year!
Another year has come and gone, and our small journalism project has grown into a full-scale social organization! Check out our accomplishments and aspirations to date: We have Board Members!…
The Con Artists of Anime Central
AnimeChicago’s Interview series highlights local organization leaders, artists and personalities. We’re chatting with Ryan Weimeyer of The Con Artists, an informal drawing circle that runs all weekend during Anime Central.…
Kollision Con 2012: Recap
Bal here, and here’s my recap from Saturday at Kollision Con 2012! Generally speaking, it was way smaller than Anime Central (not unexpected) but it was really nice that way! I didn’t…
Anime Gamers Station
AnimeChicago’s Interview series highlights local organization leaders, artists and personalities. We’re chatting with Miguel Zambrano, president of Anime Gamer Station, a Chicago-based Internet radio station for the anime and gamer fan.…
AnimeChicago’s 6th Anniversary!
For those who may not know, I’m Jamie, publisher and organizer of this very website. Six years ago, local anime clubs and related organizations appeared to live in total isolation, often…
J. Toguri Mercantile on Belmont Closing
We’re sad to announce that Japanese marketplace, J. Toguri, will be closing its doors by February 2013. This large unassuming shop on Belmont has provided everything from specialized cooking ingredients, kitchen utensils, calligraphy…
Castles in the Sky: Ghibli at Doc Films
Doc Films is screening all of your favorite Ghibli films! Following suit from Siskel Film Center’s summer festival, Castles in the Sky: Miyazaki, Takahata, and the Masters of Studio Ghibli…