Join us at 8+ events, every month!
Our meetups offer fans a place to hang, meet others, and discuss all things Japan. It’s a fantastic opportunity to introduce yourself, meet the team, and chat with members. And you’ll probably walk away with a new anime recommendation!
Monthly · Rotating Venues
Spotlight & Social
Get smarter with us at our monthly panels, interviews, and workshops
Low-key talks on Japanese pop culture, history, and what anime means to us personally. Hosted at a different venue every time, so you also get to explore the city with us. A great low-pressure way to meet the community and hear how anime shapes people’s lives beyond the screen. See our past talks »
Quarterly · Discord
Anime Sampler
Catch first episodes during our seasonal online watch party
We’ve been watching for 3+ decades! Let us curate your next anime season binge watch so you don’t have to sift through first episodes alone. Great for newcomers and veterans alike with any level of anime knowledge or experience. Everyone leaves with at least one new series to add to their watchlist.
Monthly · Discord / In-Person
Discussion Groups
Anime and Manga “book clubs” for readers and watchers
Let us guide you through the unbelievably vast world of Japanese animation and comics! Our discussion meetups (4‑14 people) watch or read a chosen title beforehand, then discuss its art, story, and intentions together. We explore all types of works, reflecting on production history, cultural relevance, and acclaim. Our hosts ensure everyone is heard. Contribute at your own pace.
Random Thu @ 7pm · Discord
Anime Showcase
Watch parties curated based on rotating topics
We dig up buried gems… forgotten and undiscovered titles you won’t find on any “best of” list. Some are cult classics that never got their due, others are oddball series that fell through the cracks. It’s a casual, no-pressure way to expand your watchlist beyond the mainstream, right from your couch, alongside other members hunting for the same hidden treasure.
Wed & 7pm · Discord
Art Lounge
Hangout for artists and avid learners to meet, draw, and grow together
Mostly beginners sharpening their craft, swapping feedback, and talking shop. Anime-focused, but open to any medium you’re willing to bring to the table. We also celebrate the artistry and craft that goes into anime and manga production, and encourage fledgling artists to learn more through fan labor and analysis.
Random · In-person
IRL Hangouts & Outings
Join informal meetups, movies, dinners, con hangs, and more via Discord
Want in on the casual, unscheduled stuff? We attend anime screenings in theaters, performances, dining experiences, and culturally-significant festivals, art shows, concerts featuring Japanese guests, and other events related to Japanese pop culture. AnimeChicagoans always have a buddy to hang with. Join our Discord for the good stuff.
Wait, there’s more!
Anime Advice Bot
We developed a “Choose Your Own Adventure” bot to help folks discover anime they may never try. Answer a few questions, get a recommendation. Try now!
Customized Curation
Our team has over 80 years of anime knowledge combined. It’s challenging to unearth the good stuff across six decades of Japanese animation and comics. Let us help!
Convention Panels
Conventions are better with AnimeChicago members! We’ve hosted dozens of panels on anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture as both guests and applicants of giant con such as Anime Central and C2E2. See our past talks »
Festival Booths
Find us at local festivals educating the public, with one-on-one anime chats and our Anime Advice Bot.
Art Anthology
Digital galleries of member-created art spanning many mediums – drawings, renderings, writings, multimedia, hands-on work, and more. On hiatus after 4 volumes.
Common Questions
Is AnimeChicago a convention of some kind?
No, we are not a convention. But we DO host and offer talks, panels, and more year-round!
AnimeChicago is on a mission to educate Chicagoans on all things Japanese Pop Culture! We love attending, hosting, and promoting our favorite cons.
But why wait for a convention?! Fandom is life-long! We fill in the gaps with convention-like programming at special venues most Chicagoans would never visit.
Please contact us about your opportunity. We’d love to work together or speak at your next event.
Who can join? Are guests or kids allowed?
Members must be 21 years or older. Our membership ranges through 20s, 30s, and 40s.
Our content and activities aren’t suitable for minors, and we often discuss mature topics and gather at bars. Meetup.com does not allow minors on their platform, and we do not offer programs for kids or teens.
Your guests are welcome to attend any of our Meetups that allow you to add guests. Other events have limited seating, so please do not bring guests. Invite them to join with a free membership at Meetup.com to guarantee their seat.
What are your events like?
Most of our events require zero preparation and are open to newcomers and veterans alike! When arriving, check-in for your badge so folks know you’re with our group. We have Greeters who will help new attendees navigate and introduce our members.
We only watch anime together a few times annually. Join us every three months at an Anime Sampler and watch our announcements for the occasional movie outing! The rest of our events are focused on getting to know fellow members through discussion and recommendations.
Discussions require you to watch or read a selected Title before attending due to limited time. Our moderator ensures everyone has a chance to speak, but the conversation is ultimately up to you!
Where do you typically meet?
We meet within Chicago’s city limits, mostly around Lakeview, Bucktown, and Logan Square.
We select relaxed, budget-friendly venues near CTA, with ample parking and pedestrian-friendly streets. Most happen at restaurants, bars, and cafes where things are more organic, but some are hosted at private spaces. We also switch it up between well-loved establishments and newly-opened shops.
AnimeChicago thrives in smaller spaces, like separate rooms at cafes and bars. While there might be a bit of background noise, we try to keep the discussions as private as we can. We frequently meet at venues that serve alcohol, and balance that with cafes and libraries to the best of our ability.
We also run a members-only Discord server! This is perfect for folks wanting to test drive our group, or to stay in touch after moving away. More details on joining here.
How do I prepare for an event?
- Read the event description!
- You may need to watch or read a title before meeting.
- Bring cash to cover entry, meals, or other needs.
- Prepare to socialize.
- Update your RSVP!
What are your Policies regarding RSVPs, No Shows, and Community Behavior?
Please update your RSVP as soon as possible if you cannot attend an event.
Having an exact headcount helps us select the right location and book the right number of seats. We have a “Three Strikes” policy to prevent vacant seats at our events.
Everyone is invited to mask to their comfort level. We reserve the right to ask anyone who is visibly ill or intoxicated to leave for the safety of the group. See our detailed Policies here.
How do you select Topics?
- Discussion-worthy: We select material that could win (or already have won) Crunchyroll’s Anime of the Year Award or an Eisner. Sometimes, we’ll dig up some critically-acclaimed oldie that folks might have missed. Occasionally, we’ll discuss a well-received fan-favorite. All the time, we look for material that keeps the conversation lively for a few hours.
- Approachable: Most of our selections are shorter in nature so that more people have the opportunity to enjoy it and be involved. Long-running series are not available due to the length of the time it takes to enjoy – but self-contained arcs or spinoffs of a longer work are allowed.
- Accessible: We can’t really discuss something hard to find or too expensive to enjoy.
- Got a topic you’d love to talk about?
Let us know! With all the great content out there to discuss, we very rarely revisit a previously discussed work. But we’ll consider any suggestion.