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What is Anime?


"Anime" (pronounced AH-NEE-MAY) is taken from the french word for animation, and is the Japanese word for animation. Today, it's used outside of Japan to refer to animation produced in Japan; so, an "anime style" cartoon is not necessarily anime. What makes anime so special that it warrents its own name? The audience.

In the 1980s, many switched on the television to watch Speed Racer, Voltron, G-Force, Robotech, or even Kimba the White Lion. All of these cartoons were initially produced in Japan, although it might be hard to tell because they were all dubbed in English. Yes, they were all anime. These anime were aimed at kids, but now, anime is for everyone.

In 1947, Osamu Tezuka's comic debut, "New Treasure Island," was released. This manga (Japanese comic book) contained characters that appealed to both children and adults. The manga was a huge success. In 1963, Tezuka created Astro Boy for television, which was brought to the US the following year. Astro Boy was a landmark in anime, as it defined some key design features and realized the audience shift from just children to anyone. This is why many have named Tezuka "The Father of Japanese Animation."



Background

Minna No Anime is a club oriented around Japanese animation. Some call it cartoons, others call it Japanimation; it is all the one and the same. Here at Cal Poly, we show all kinds of anime: drama, romance, action, science fiction, and comedy. The club itself is around ten years old. We hope that it will continue its rich tradition and stay around for many years to come.

Meetings are held on campus in the Business building (03-213) every Saturday. Check the schedule for details.


Membership

How does Minna No Anime work? It's members of course. It is because of member support that Minna No Anime is able to provide the quality programs that are shown each week.

To become a member, just speak with an officer during a meeting. There will also be opportunities at the beginning of each year for everyone to establish or renew their membership. Membership fees are $5.00 per year and $2.00 per quarter.

Membership provides discounts to most everything Minna No Anime provides (e.g. t-shirts) and is required for access to the Minna No Anime video library.


Officers 2005-2006

  • President - Annaliese Christman
  • Vice President - Erin Harness
  • Treasurer - James Anderson
  • Secretary - Jennifer Pawlik
  • Librarian - Brian
  • Webmaster - Stephen Daniel


DIRECTIONS

Minna No Anime meetings are held in the silo at Cal Poly, SLO. For the uninitiated, that is building 03, room 213 on the California State Polytechnic University Campus in San Luis Obispo, CA.

If you don't know how to get to a meeting, you can always get directions courtesy of Yahoo! Maps. Another option is to use these directions, which are taken from the Cal Poly Directions Page.

From Los Angeles on Route 101...
Traveling north on route101 to San Luis Obispo:
  • Go through much of San Luis Obispo and exit at the Grand Avenue/Cal Poly exit.
  • Turn left onto Grand Avenue and go (uphill) approximately 1/4 mile to the south entrance of the campus.
  • Ahead on your right is the Cal Poly Visitor Information Booth.
  • Here you can obtain a campus map and a warm greeting!

    From San Francisco on Route 101...
    Traveling south on route 101 to San Luis Obispo:

  • As you approach San Luis Obispo, Exit the Fwy at Monterey Street (the first exit in SLO).
  • Make a right turn, then an immediate left turn onto the frontage road.
  • Go approximately 3 blocks to Grand Ave.
  • Turn right (going uphill) and go approximately 1/4 mile to the south entrance of the campus.
  • Ahead on your right is the Cal Poly Visitor Information Booth.
  • Here you can obtain a campus map and a warm greeting!
  • On-campus parking is free on weekends.


    CONTACT

    Please direct questions via e-mail to
    minnclub@polymail.calpoly.edu

    or via postal mail to:
    Minna No Anime
    UU Box #277
    Cal Poly
    San Luis Obispo, CA 93407


    GAMES PEOPLE PLAY

    Games People Play no longer exists, sorry.