91探花

The Anime Club of 91探花 (ACOU) is home to all anime enthusiasts and lovers of Japanese culture. It is a space for anime lovers looking to be a part of a community of friends. 

A passion for anime

"I'm not gonna run away, and I never go back on my word - that is my ninja way!" - Uzumaki Naruto

These are fighting words spoken by one of the main characters from the hit show Naruto. It is a statement of resilience that resonates with the anime fandom and epitomizes what the Anime Club of 91探花 (ACOU) is about.

After almost facing dissolution due to the pandemic and reduced membership, the organization is now brimming with life, as illustrated by its Discord server with more than 100 active members, including alumni. A core group of about 30 people attend regular meetings.

The group has gone through several name changes since its founding in 2009, settling on its current name in 2022 to emphasize its focus on anime and manga and the culture around both.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been a fun experience. The people I鈥檝e met, the friendships formed, and the fact that the group is still alive and thriving is beautiful to witness. I am glad I stepped up to be an officer,鈥� says Ryan Neil, ACOU鈥檚 president.

Neil is a senior history major pursuing a teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) certificate. We spoke with him about the group, the experience of being part of it, and the challenges faced so far.

Q & A with Ryan Neil

Q: What would you say are the core values of this organization?

A: Open-mindedness. Anime is known for many reasons, and there are things in the fandom that split opinions. But that happens in most communities on various subjects. Our group allows everyone to move out of their comfort zone with the viewing experience and genre differences. All this is only possible due to us being open.

Q: How has anime impacted the group and the community?

A: It helped us become friends. If we argue, it's usually in the healthy spirit of banter. That is how close we have become as friends. We may have different opinions on shows, but we respect each other. In more ways than one, anime has done that for us more than we probably would have by ourselves.

Q: Anime and manga have gained massive popularity over the past two decades. What does ACOU as a club represent in terms of that?

A: People would assume we meet to watch anime. But there鈥檚 a genuine enthusiasm and passion for Japanese culture. Some of us have enrolled in a Japanese language course. I鈥檓 going to study abroad in Japan during this summer. There鈥檚 an inspiration with how massive anime has become mainstream, but this club has also helped. The club acts as a springboard towards stuff like that.

Q: What kinds of events and activities does ACOU have?

A: Every Friday night, we have an anime viewing session in cinematic fashion at Morton 237. We watch about three episodes of three shows every week. Besides that, we watch anime films at the Athena Grande whenever they show one. On our less ambitious nights, we play anime jack box or video games (including VR) on the big screen.

Sometimes, we get together with some of the other nerdy clubs (we call ourselves The Geeks of the Roundtable) and hold events with people from , , etc. For external events, we attend anime conventions like  [an annual pop culture convention held in Athens] and sometimes go to larger conventions such as OhayoCon in Columbus.

We also have Japanese students join us for viewing sessions. They speak to us about what some stuff we watch means and how it reflects society.

Q: What challenges has the organization faced so far?

A: The pandemic took quite a toll on us. But having a Discord saved us because members kept the community viewing sessions going [remotely].

The biggest challenge was when the previous executives were set to graduate, and it seemed the group would dissolve. So I and a few members stepped up to be officers, and here we are now.

Q: What is the best part of being a part of the organization?

A: Nominating and voting on the shows we watch means we end up watching anything from any genre. We'll zigzag from Rom-coms and sorcery fights to gritty detective shows.

It's helped expose me to shows I otherwise never would have seen. Plus, it's a lot more fun to watch them together with your friends.

Q: What has been your most memorable moment in the community?

A: Personally, it would be the night a friend brought a VR headset. I got to experience VR gaming for the first time. It was such a surreal experience.

The more recurring memories would be the priceless reactions of people when they watch anime together. We watch a show that some people have never seen or heard of. It's a lot of fun when people don't know what to expect and how plot twists take them by surprise.

Other than that, I like doing crossovers and bonding with other clubs.

Q: How would you describe your organization to someone who doesn鈥檛 share your interest?

A: Try new things! If you鈥檙e not already into anime, gather your courage to embrace it. Once you explore enough, you can find your niche because there are so many genres and categories. We鈥檙e a friendly, casual, and lively bunch ready to welcome you into the group and give you the room to enjoy the world of anime!