University club unites anime enthusiasts

    Stupid [adult swim.] They only show them once a week, and the schedule is always changing so it is hard to keep up with. Should have known something was up when they pulled Toonami off the air.
    If you know what I’m talking about, then Friends of Anime, or FoA, may be the club for you.
    Christy Angel, junior from Louisville, Ky., is the current president of the club and was a founding member.
    “Our club … was founded by a group of friends that wanted to bring anime fans together in western Kentucky and on campus,” Angel said. “I was part of that group of friends that started it about four years ago and I’ve been actively involved ever since.”
    Membership in FoA is fairly fluid with people coming and going, but they maintain around 40 members, Angel said.
    “Our club does lots of things,” Angel said. “We watch anime and we’re part of ‘Operation Anime’ with FUNimation. We also have monthly activities that include potlucks, fundraisers, themed parties and cosplay nights.”
    Christopher Chunn, junior from Henderson, Ky., said ‘Operation Anime’ allows the club to screen various anime DVDs. Once a month members vote on which DVD they would like to receive. They watch it, then fill out a survey on FUNimation’s Web site.
    The group hosts cosplay workshops to help others make outfits or anime plushies. Cosplay is when a person dresses up as a character from a series or video game, Patricia and Paula Hornbeak, seniors from Hopkinsville, Ky., said.
    They said they began cosplaying eight years ago because they love dressing and acting like the characters. They allow club members to borrow their sewing machines to work.
    FoA is not only for cosplayers, however, and they said they invite anyone to come out to the meetings.
    The club also attends anime conventions, including OMGcon in Paducah, Ky., and 13 members plan on attending SugoiCon in Ft. Mitchell, Ky., at the end of this month, Angel said.
    FoA is also planning a convention of its own for 2010. The one-day anime convention is called Ridonka~Con, and Angel said the group is open to event suggestions.
    “One thing that we place importance on is that the club votes on what they want to do,” Angel said.
    The club hosts open meetings at 5 p.m. every Friday in the Curris Center Barkley Room to discuss club business including planning monthly events, taking ideas on what to do and planning convention trips. Then, after a short break, they watch an anime series decided on at the meetings.
    Chunn said he does not consider himself a hardcore anime fan, so those with any interest level should come to a meeting.
    “It’s a good way to meet new people, especially if they share the same interests as you,” Chunn said. “Members of FoA have other interests outside of the club, so I don’t think you’ll have any trouble fitting in.”
    Friday the club will host a bake sale outside of the Curris Center to raise money for a family who are friends of the club.  If it rains, the event will be moved inside. All proceeds from the sale go toward helping pay medical bills, Angel said.
    For more information about the club visit msufoa.com.
    Contact Arant at cody.arant@murraystate.edu.