About us
This group is for fans of Japanese anime, manga, and media. We gather to discuss our favorite shows, share recommendations, and more.
Join us on Discord or WhatsApp (LinkTree for photo albums/groupchats - we have ones for outdoors/food/general).
---
We hope it provides a safe space for people who like all things anime, including cosplay, gaming, and geek culture. With this group, you can expect events like conventions, films at local theaters, seasonal anime screenings, arcade nights, and more!
Our reoccurring events include the following:
- Seasonal Anime Screening (seasonal)
- Picnic/Potluck (seasonal)
- Arcade Nights (monthly)
- Bring Your Own Manga Book Club (monthly)
If you have any event suggestions feel free to message to the organizers. If you would like to host events, don't hesitate to reach out. :D
We have a girl's group (get in touch with Neikey, one of our organizers), and a guy's group (get in touch with Mike, one of our organizers) to provide a safe space for people and allow people to hang out offline.
---
Don't Forget To Be Awesome!
(All of our members must adhere to our Code of Conduct.)
---
Cover image is inspired by INT'L Cafe Chicago.
Upcoming events
38
Anime Central (ACen) Meetup - Saturday
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N River Rd, Rosemont, IL, USDisclaimer: Our picnic at Ping Tom Park scheduled for May 16 has been rescheduled for May 23 (week after). :]
convention meetup for chicago anime hangouts! hope to have conversations about anime, and manga and more. just show up :D this is for Saturday, May 16 of the convention.
Anime Central is an annual three-day anime convention held during May at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare & Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.
organizer will communicate through photos, chat, comments, Discord and other communication channels to make sure you're in the right space. (i should be in a Joker (Persona 5 cosplay - will note if that changes).
meetup will be around the entrance. there will be multiple photos of the spot in an angle to give people a sense of where to meet up initially.
schedule:
1:00 pm: hang out and socialize, take photos, before going to different things on the expo floor.
post meet-up: feel free to hang around and check out different things afterwards.**disclaimer
logistically, we will try to agree to meetup at the same location every so often to check in on people, and see if people want to try out different things on the convention floor together/split off and tackle different things.i imagine people will want to split up and do different things whether it's artist alleys, cosplay, exhibitors, events, and panels among other things. i do want a space for people to come together and hang out for a bit if possible. :D
Guidebook app (Android/iOS) has the ACen schedule, and map.
https://builder.guidebook.com/g/#/guides/acen2026/hope to see you there!
/
read more about Anime Central here.
50 attendees
Picnic/Potluck @ Ping Tom Memorial Park (Chinatown)
Ping Tom Memorial Park, 300 West 19th St., Chicago, IL, USmeetup for Chicago anime hangouts! hope to have conversations about anime, and manga and more. just show up :D
please bring what you'd like to share with the group. here is a potluck signup sheet. I'll aim to bring a blanket, volleyball, frisbee, and board games at the least. please bring what you'd like people to participate in if you'd like to.
find us next to the main entrance at Ping Tom Memorial Park to start (Chinatown Pagoda should be right in front of you, and you should have crossed the train track). organizer and members will update where in the park we are. (organizer will have a Meetup logo).
schedule:
4:00 pm: show up
(organizer will update if event extends longer than originally planned)we hope to see you! :D
more about the park:
https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/tom-ping-memorial-park77 attendees
Nourishing Hope - Online Market Evening Packing (Volunteer) (West Town)
1716 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL, USmeetup for chicago anime hangouts! hope to have conversations about anime, and manga and more. just show up :D just note that this is the first event focused around volunteering, and helping people, so be prepared to learn more about the non-profit we're working with in addition to the socializing aspect, and getting a meal or dessert afterwards.
Nourishing Hope is an established Chicago food pantry, providing free food in a comfortable person-focused environment, with social and mental health services.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SIGNING UP TO VOLUNTEER AT BOTTOM
description: come help us pack orders for Nourishing Hope's Online Market! Then we will load orders into the van for distribution. Volunteers are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and closed toed shoes. Gloves provided at individual shifts.
schedule:
5:30: get trained to help load orders and pack for Nourishing Hope.
post-meetup: open to walk to Sabroso! Mexican Grill (624 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 - 8 minute walk away) to grab a light meal, or grab smoothies/dessert nearby.we hope to see you there!
---INSTRUCTIONS---
Volunteering at Nourishing Hope (formerly Lakeview Pantry):
Register to be a volunteer: Form linkAlready have a volunteer account? Login into your personal volunteer site (link here), click Volunteer Calendar, and enter the group code: 3584 under "I have a Group Code." Watch this helpful video!
10 attendees
Past events
285
