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…
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…
What to Expect at this Weekend’s Symposium
This Saturday at the Japan Information Center, AnimeChicago is hosting its second Symposium, with the theme being transformation of both…
Welcome to the Ramen Review
Back in 2011, I heavily researched Japanese tourism to prepare for a seventeen day backpacking spree. That’s when I found…
Not Our Final Form: A Discussion of Transformation in Anime and Manga
Last year on a very snowy afternoon in November, AnimeChicago presented Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga , the first installment…
Do’s and Don’ts of Learning to Read Japanese
Reading is probably the hardest part of learning Japanese, so I thought I’d share some strategies that helped me improve…
How to Keep Warm, Japanese-Style
The seasons are finally starting to change in Chicago, and warmer weather is on its way. But as those of…
Imperial Stouts: My (Beer) Love Story!!
Valentine’s Day may have just passed and winter will probably stick around Chicago for another month or so, but that…
Writing the Unwritten Rules
In light of the upcoming convention season, AnimeChicago has been speaking more about the safety and comfort of our members…
Analysis: What’s So Freaking Great About Cloud Strife?
***Contains spoilers for Final Fantasy VII*** The Final Fantasy VII remake is finally happening. If you’ve met me in person…
5 Great Bars in Anime
I’m certain you have seen at least one place in an anime series or movie where you thought, to quote…
A Brief History: One-Punch Man
With the autumn anime season wrapped up, one series making big waves is One-Punch Man; a story about a hero…
2015 Annual Report
State of Chicago’s Anime Scene You have a million ways to view anime legally (Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix, Funimation, etc.) but…
Tezuka’s works shine at AnimeChicago’s first Symposium “God of Manga”
On November 21st, 2015, AnimeChicago hosted its first ever symposium at the Cards Against Humanity Theater, focusing on the “God…
The Anthem of the Heart
Words can hurt. In today’s Internet culture, hateful and spiteful comments are thrown left and right without a second thought.…
Analysis: Gender Portrayals in Tiger & Bunny
**This essay contains spoilers for Tiger and Bunny as well as the movie Tiger and Bunny: The Rising** As much…