Start a College Anime Group

Starting an anime club can be an enriching experience, but there are a few factors you have to think about before getting started. Such as, will the college give you money for events, will you participate in any events (such as local anime conventions), what will you do each meeting, etc.

From my experience I have noticed a couple of bad things from anime clubs. Most of the people there were obsessive fans, and you do not want that behavior. It's one thing to like Naruto and wear the ninja headband. It's another however to obsess over anyone who may look like a character, to scream whenever someone wears a headband, and to cry when you see a picture of Sasuke. You do not want your club to be these people. When they get to this point they have to be talked to because they are escaping reality with anime, and unfortunately this tends to be common.

You also don't want to show male chauvinistic animes. Again, this is common. Anime generally has girls with giant breasts and acting, more or less, like whores. These animes, like anything else, are using sex appeal. Don't show these animes just for that, especially if you have female members or other members who are uncomfortable watching pseudo-hentai animes. The best thing to do is get votes, on the meeting before it, on what anime to watch. That way it is democratic and fair, not just one or a few deciding what everyone would like.

Now, to become a real club, you should do more than just watch animes. There should also be things discussed at each meeting. For example, anime news. What new anime are coming out, is there information on sequels or DVD releases, things like that.

Also you need events. Most anime fans would like to, or do, draw their own anime. Have a workshop where someone teaches the group how to draw. Or, since cosplay is also important, how to make wigs and costumes. That way, when there are local conventions, or one everyone plans to go to as a group, you can also go in costume. Plan these and other anime based events so it's more than just a weekly "let's watch anime together" thing, because that's not really a club as much as an activity.

For larger groups, you may be able to host your own conventions, provided you can get the money. If the college provides you a budget you can use that, but it probably will not be enough alone. So hold fund raisers. You can go for the traditional bake sale, along with other more anime themed fund raisers. However, try to keep it somewhat traditional, since some people are freaked out by anime.

With enough effort and enthusiasm you can make a large group out of this. Anime has a big following for every age group, and so it should be rather easy to find members. Good luck, and I hope your club does well.