Comic books, Japanese anime brought to life for Mini-Con

Originally published April 23, 2008 in The Orion.
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Traveling to foreign lands and alternate worlds does not often fit into a college student's schedule, but it is a common activity for anime and comic book fans.

The Japanese Anime Club and Comic Book Coterie are teaming up to share the fun of Japanese culture and producing comics with the second annual Chico Mini-Con on Friday. The three floors of Plumas Hall will be covered with anime and comic book paraphernalia and host various activities, such as an art gallery, a swap meet and a demonstration by the coed martial arts fraternity, Mu Alpha Xi.

The anime and comic book clubs are fairly new on campus, but they support a growing interest for comics and anime, said Rachael Ambrose, president of the Japanese Anime Club.

Matt Riebold, president of Comic Book Coterie, was surprised by the large turnout at last year's free miniature convention, he said. More than 60 people attended last year and at least 90 are expected Friday.

One of the most popular activities is the cosplay contest, Ambrose said. The contest allows participants to attend the convention dressed as their favorite comic book or anime character.

"It gives you the chance to dress up in a crazy costume outside of Halloween," she said.

Many of the activities are interactive and call for creativity. The art contest and swap meet invite members of the community to be part of the convention.

Collectors Ink, a Chico comic book shop, will be one of the retailers in attendance, Riebold said.

The shop's owner, Beverly Kranz, has been promoting the convention and is excited to have a booth, she said. She has attended similar conventions and likes to help spread the word about comics and anime.

"There are comics for all interests and ages," she said.

Members from the Comic Book Coterie will also be showcasing their art and selling products at the Mini-Con, Riebold said. The club serves as more than just a place to talk about comics. Weekly meetings are spent talking about design technique and producing comics.

The club published its first book, he said. "The Anthology, Volume One" features work from five club members and background information about the organization. Members want to publish a volume every year.

Each club brings together a diverse group of people, Riebold said. Producing a comic involves more than illustration. Writers and editors are also essential for publishing an anthology.

The Japanese Anime Club also welcomes members from all majors and backgrounds, Ambrose said. A lot of genres of anime exist, and members learn from each other's knowledge.

"When someone new joins, they are the center of attention," she said. "We want to know what series they have seen."

A lot of members are international students, but everyone becomes fully engaged in the culture of anime, she said. Some members take Japanese classes so they can fully understand anime.

The convention will show the diversity of comics and anime by showing all aspects of the culture, Ambrose said. Karaoke and a video game room will also be available.

Riebold hopes people will see that comics and anime can be enjoyed by all ages, he said. In the United States comics are often associated with a younger crowd, but in Japan everyone is interested in comics.

"Here, the older guys who read comics are the ones who are thought to live in their mothers' basement."