Around Oakley: Anime Club returns to Freedom

This year several Freedom High School students decided to bring back the defunct Anime Club. The club, which hadn't been around for three or four years, has again become popular.

If you looked up anime on the Internet, you would find that the concept has been around since 1917, but if you asked kids today they would likely tell you it was devised just for their entertainment in the past several years.

Long a fixture in Japan, anime began to pick up steam in the United States when "Pokemon" came on television about 10 years ago. Soon all sorts of toys and card games were developed around the animated cartoon series, offering more popularity than some had seen since "Tickle Me Elmo."

Some say their interest in anime was a continuation from their enjoyment with the Pokemon series. "I still like Pokemon," said Nick Fisher, a freshman and member of Freedom's Anime Club. "But there is so much more to anime. Anime is colorful, and keeps my attention with the sometimes funny and interesting dialogue."

Freedom's club meets every Thursday after school on the campus. The club is still small, according to club president Christina Kline, a junior at the high school.

"I like the Anime Club a lot. I haven't been there much, but from what I've seen, they have a good selection of information about anime," said freshman John Villanueva, who can't make the meetings but keeps updated from friends who are involved in the group. "They don't show bad anime, and are overall a good club."

The group attending sets the theme for the day's meeting. Kline said the group usually begins by handling club business, like discussing any of the new fundraisers it has been working on, and then moves on to announcements from the club members.

Generally, the announcements range from anything about the anime industry, which can include anime series, films, video, video games and Internet-based information.
The one thing about anime is that it crosses over to any genre of fiction, so there are a variety of topics that can be discussed. They also watch current anime DVDs that club members bring in and share.

"We all get together to learn more about anime and make friends," Kline said.
Next Thursday, the group will be working on Magic the Gathering Tournament to help raise money for the club. Magic the Gathering is a card game featuring an anime theme, and has a large following among teenagers.

The event will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and is open to anyone who wants to join. There is a registration fee of $3 for players and $2 for spectators. Prizes will include a Magic the Gathering Core Set and various cards.

The club is hoping for a large attendance, and even if people don't play the game, they will come to watch and enjoy some refreshments.

Freedom students are welcome to join the club anytime they like or just sit in on a meeting to see what it is all about, Kline said. She said members of the group are friendly, and always ready to meet more people who share their interests.