Anime Club has fun watching shows, playing video games

“I have the power of God and anime on my side.”

A quote from an old Vine clip serves as the motto of Detroit Mercy’s Anime Club.

The group, which celebrates all things related to the Japanese style of animated shows and movies, holds numerous events throughout the year on campus.

The current president of the club is Cari Gamlin, a History and English double-major who is minoring in Museum Studies. The club’s secretary is Kate McFarland, a Business major with a minor in Computer Science and Leadership.

During the club’s meetings, members recommend, and then watch, the first two episodes of a show. Afterwards, the club has an open discussion over what they watched. News about any upcoming events for the club are also explained during meetings.

There are events on and off of campus that the Anime Club participates it. They include the Naruto run, a relay race inspired by the characters in the Naruto anime where participants race on the McNichols campus.

The club also participates in the school’s annual kickball tournament that involves other student organizations.

The Maid Café is the club’s bake sale. Inspired by the maid character trope, members of the club are encouraged (but not required) to dress up as a maid or butler during the bake sale.

The Anime Club also has events and meet-ups outside of campus. The president or another member of the board may suggest a movie that has made an international release outside of Japan. They may also suggest restaurants such as ramen shops and Korean restaurants in Detroit.

Members also attend Youmacon, an annual celebration of Japanese animation, video games, pop culture and costuming. You can play video games, go to panel discussions, buy merchandise, art, collectibles and even meet celebrities. It happens every year around this time and is usually held in downtown Detroit.

One of the ways the anime club gives back to the community is through the Detroit Mercy x Extra Life charity event. It is an 11-hour event broadcast on the streaming platform, Twitch. Participants sign up for a time slot and play a game that has been pre-approved. Money that is raised is donated to Beaumont Children’s hospital in Royal Oak.