Club Spotlight: Anime Club

Anime Club provides an opportunity for fans to enjoy anime, a style of animation which originated in Japan involving colorful graphics.

The Anime Club features a variety of styles. “We show romantic, sci-fi, and many, many others,” said John “Jack” Kelly, president of the club. Meetings consist of showing three episodes of each of three anime television shows. The anime is usually recent releases, such as “Sengoku Collection,” “Space Brothers,” and “Shining Hearts.” Occasionally, older animes are shown, some dating back to the 1980s. “Sometimes we show older animes that are a ‘must-see’ for any anime fan,” said Kelly, “like ‘Cowboy Bebop’ and ‘Neon Genesis Evangelion.'” Requests can be made by members, but because of a large backlog of requests, the requested material may not be shown for months, or even until next semester.

Anything can be requested and shown, and even “more provocative material,” to paraphrase Kelly. The club has received no complaints about showing the more risqué material. “Anyone who objects to what’s shown just leaves,” said Kelly. “If someone doesn’t like what’s being shown, they can come back in an hour. Then, they will most likely find something they would like.” In fact, the members have invented a “drinking game” with suggestive scenes using soft drinks.

Kelly manages the club of 20-30 members, made up of Mines students and alumni, who come and go as they please. “Sometimes they show up, and sometimes they don’t, but we average around 20,” said Kelly. “To join, simply show up. As long as you aren’t disruptive, we’d love to have you.” He enforces dues from club members, but no one pays more than $2. “The dues are for special events,” said Jack, “such as movie nights.” Movie nights, which show anime movies, not movies related to a specific anime series, happen only once or twice a semester.

Every fall and spring, Denver hosts an anime convention: Nan Desu Kan in the fall and Animeland Wasabi in the spring. The Anime Club takes a group to each. Members volunteer at these conventions and spend the night at a nearby hotel if necessary. As a reward for working four to five hours, volunteers earn day passes so they can enjoy the convention.