We’re 10-year veterans to Chicago's anime underground, and we're excited to share our knowledge with you. Check out upcoming events and resource links below.
“Following the success of Studio Ghibli Fest 2017, GKIDS, the acclaimed distributor of multiple Academy Award®-nominated animated features, and Fathom Events, are proud to announce a partnership to bring the biggest series of anime titles to U.S audiences throughout 2018. Starting in March, the series features nine of Studio Ghibli’s revered animated classics offering both dubbed and subtitled versions.”
“Based on Kiyoshi Shigematsu’s 1996 novel of the same Japanese title, Haruhiko Arai’s script covers years in the lives of his principals with conventional flashbacks, if with unconventional freshness, as drawing from life in the messy raw, including the sort of interior truths that reveal themselves only rarely — or disastrously.”
“Six years after the bloodbath known as the Dragon’s Head Rush conflict, an evil mist drives supernaturally-powered humans to despair in droves. Japan enlists the Armed Detective Agency to capture the mysterious menace thought responsible for the suicide epidemic: Shibusawa Tatsuhiko. Can the ADA pull Yokohama from its deadly nightmare before it’s too late?”
The fifth installment of six Digimon Adventure tri. films.
“Anime Central (ACen) is Chicago’s and the Midwest’s largest anime, manga and Japanese popular culture convention. The convention is currently held in Rosemont, IL, less than 30 minutes from downtown Chicago.”
“A New World: intimate music from FINAL FANTASY performs at Anime Central in the Chicago area. We’re back at ACen with new repertoire and a new experience. Under the direction of conductor Eric Roth, the New World Players perform favorites and surprises by all of the FINAL FANTASY composers including Nobuo Uematsu, Masashi Hamauzu, Naoshi Mizuta, and Hitoshi Sakimoto from throughout the thirty year history of FINAL FANTASY.”
“Based on the wildly popular Fate franchise that gave anime fans Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works], Fate/Zero, and the hit mobile game Fate/Grand Order, the first film in this movie trilogy explodes with epic action and heart-wrenching drama, tied together by original author Kinoko Nasu’s unique storytelling and otherworldly cast of characters. For the first time ever, movie-goers will experience the film’s English dub along with the despair, romance, and terrifying secrets of the Holy Grail War with protagonist Shirou Emiya in the first chapter of this high-stakes trilogy.”
“During the Taisho era of 1918, 17-year-old Benio Hanamura thrives on bucking tradition. As a boisterous and quarrelsome tomboy, Miss Hanamura leads a life of kendo and tree-climbing adventure with her best friends Tamaki and Ranmaru. Benio determines to find love on her own, though her family has other plans. Benio will encounter tests of love, independence, and friendship during wartime.”
“Producer Genki Kawamura follows up his mega-hit Your Name with another tale of star-crossed teenage lovers with a sci-fi fantasy twist.”
As one of the world’s largest snack food franchises, Aji Ichiban offers a wide array and samples of exquisite snacks such as Pocky, Kasugai Gummies, bean cakes, mango slices, chili olives, wasabi peas, and fried squid.
Do you like SCIENCE? This store is full of science supplies, electronic parts, mechanical gears, and more kitsch than you can shake a stick at for all your random cosplay needs.
The Animatrix Network is an anime & manga fan club formed in 1995. They meet on the second Saturday of each month at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, from noon to 8:00 pm. Meetings are free and open to the public.
Crunchyroll presents a quarterly series of theatrical screenings, and Chicago theaters are participating!
AnimeStuffStore.com is committed to bringing you a wide selection of Anime and Manga Character goods online and at conventions. And they’re based locally in Joliet, Illinois!
Affordable, high-quality, heat-resistant costume wigs, from a company run by local artisans!
A new organization for the promotion and screening of Asian Films. Showing at the Wilmette Theatre and AMC River East 21.
Located in between Bucktown and Logan Square, Challengers offers comic books, graphic novels and a small selection of manga.
This Mahjong group is strictly for people that play Riichi Mahjong of all levels, from beginner to expert. This group’s purpose is to spread the Japanese version of Mahjong to those who don’t know, or don’t understand it.
ChiGothLoli is a community dedicated to unique Japanese fashion trends. They hold meetups frequently around Chicago for crafts, concerts, and socializing.
Practicing speaking Japanese, finding out more about the culture or just hanging out and trading travel stories from Japan.
This is fundamentally a drum class program through the Chicago Park District instructed by John Yost.
Facebook Group forum for fellow Chicagoans and suburbanites for posting information, discussions, meet-ups on anime/manga, cosplay, gaming, music, movies, and more.
This is the forum for Ball Jointed Dolls (BJD) fans in the Chicago area since 2005.
Chicago and Osaka have been sister cities since 1973. The Chicago Office serves as a bridge between Osaka and North America, and dedicate their efforts to mutual understanding, in building friendships and exchange opportunities.
The College of Dupage Cosplay Club meets on Tuesdays to craft costumes and host sewing/wig/prop tutorials. Non-students welcome.
This is the official anime club that is scheduled to meet Tuesdays from 7pm-10pm at the Ferguson Theatre. However, many new attendees claim J.A.M. lacks strong leadership and community.
Yuzu is an anime-friendly sushi restaurant that’s hosting regular cooking classes throughout 2017.
24 craft beers on tap constantly rotating, a very big whiskey selection and 37 arcade games from the 80’s and 90’s to keep you entertained. Games take one token per play. $1 gets you 4 tokens.
This gigantic store in Portage Park is open year-round for any kind of costume need. The props and bagged costumes are flimsy, but the makeup, fake appendage, mask and wig selections are worth the trip.
“Gabutto Burger is a locally owned Japanese-styled fast food restaurant. We will provide a combination of excellent food with fun atmosphere to all of our customers. We have unique patties, sauces, and flavors to match our innovative environment and diverse food selection.”
Located in Brookfield, Galloping Ghost charges $15 for entry to a full free-play arcade featuring over 250 games.
Schaumburg’s Gameworks boasts a two-level arcade with two bars, pool tables, and tons of shooters, racers, fighters and rhythm games. They feature DDR SuperNova, X, and X2: three song rounds and typically no wait. 21+ after 9pm.
Founded in 2003, Ignite Network is a unique gaming establishment with a large library of popular titles, fast systems, console lounges, a dedicated Rock Band 2 rental room and miscellaneous computer services.
JIC provides educational materials, pamphlets, cultural presentations, library resources, events and more to residents in the Midwest through the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago. They also sponsor Chicago’s JET Program.
JASC offers Japanese culture introductory courses for Chicagoans who are interested in calligraphy, cooking, language, and much more.
University of Illinois at Chicago’s anime club formed in late October 2008. The Japanese Audio Visual Culture Association meets once a week on Mondays at 4pm for anime showing and community gaming.
The Japanese Culture Center makes the arts, crafts, and philosophical riches of Japan available to the general public. This includes martial arts, language courses, flower arrangement and tea ceremony.
JMAC is an active community exposing DePaul students to anime and Japanese Culture. They meet Monday evenings, plan outings over breaks and host special events like Mr. JMAC contests, spring banquet and annually host a guest speaking voice actor.
Magazine and community featuring rare and modified cars from the Chicagoland/Midwest area, with a slant towards Japanese culture.
A nonprofit organization with diverse membership of more than 600 people, all with the shared experience of living and working in Japan on the JET Program.
University of Chicago’s new taiko group meets three times a week, and will be collaborating with other taiko groups in the Chicagoland area.
A wholesome anime club that meets on Fridays at Loyola’s Lakeshore Campus. Non-members have been known to attend on an intermittent basis. LUCAnime also boasts student games and activities beyond regular anime screenings.
Seasoned Chicagoland anime fans love this supermarket mini-mall. There are aisles of Pocky, Ramune, Calpis, Gummies and other snacks in the grocery store. The food court has sushi, ramen, udon and more. Don’t forget the bakery, gift shop and liquor store.
Known as “The Godzilla Superstore,” MIT carries a selection of Japanese vinyls and American movie character collectibles from superheroes to horror films that every fan will enjoy.
Known for playing anime videos around the lounge, Murasaki offers an eclectic assortment of Japanese sake and spirits late into the night. Get dressy for date night or bring your entourage to the private karaoke room.
Founded in Fall 2012, the NU Anime Club meets Friday during the semester. They view and discuss anime and Japanese pop culture.
Indiana convention super close to Chicago. 2017 dates not yet announced.
A Midwest photographer hosts free monthly cosplay photo shoots in unusual locations.
Rotofugi is a local designer gallery and toy store for a wide selection of something new. The walls are lined with every kind of neat toy you can imagine, inspired by Japan’s hottest trends and beautiful simplistic designs.
This Japanese bowling and arcade chain is in Bloomingdale! They have a number of rhythm games, fighters, and redemption games straight from Japan.
The School of the Art Institute anime club meets Thursday afternoons. The group shows anime that focuses on current trends, but also highlights up-and-coming artists and series. Students only.
Annual cosplay get-together known as SoyCon offers photoshoots, contests, barbecue, and more.
Street-Level Youth Media is a Bucktown nonprofit educating youth about media, technology and artistic expression. Students run their own anime club on Friday evenings.
Fans of sushi should try Sushi Station. Different types of sushi, maki, nigiri and desserts from $1-6 travel the refrigerated conveyor belt, which diners pick from at their leisure. Fantastic place for experimenting with Japanese cuisine.
Check out this anime-friendly sushi restaurant in River West. It’s an intimate place that’s part movie theater, part gallery, and all delicious.
“An authentic Japanese grocery and sushi café, Tensuke Market has been the source for premium Japanese goods and cuisine for nearly 20 years.” Note: they carry anime goods and Daiso merchandise.
Looking for large fabric selections on a budget? This is a good place to start, but you need to dig around three floors of inventory to find what you want.
A premium freelance photography studio based out of the Chicago suburbs, specializing in cosplay event services.
Osaka Gardens, a public park built in Hyde Park shortly after the 1893 World Columbian Exposition, offers a rock waterfall, Japanese-style bridge, waterfall and temple-like gazebo.
JASC is a non-profit organization that fosters goodwill and understanding between the people of Japan and the U.S. They are an excellent learning resource, offer many networking opportunities and social events.
In addition to regular performances and classes, Tsukasa Taiko is also recognized for its collaborations with leading jazz, blues, and new music artists. If you’ve ever been curious about those giant Japanese drums, they offer regular 5-week courses.
UCJAS holds free screenings of anime for students and community members of the University of Chicago. They also organize special events such as marathon showings, trips, and their annual one-day winter convention, Uchi-Con.
Vogue Fabrics offers thousands of bolts of fabric across three Chicagoland stores and online catalog. Searching for discount and clearance deals can be a little overwhelming.
Yakitori in Avondale! Check out Yusho for Japanese cuisine that deviates from the tradition of sushi and noodles. This restaurant is also known to project anime in the dinning room.
