Danielle Crook, a student at UNC-Wilmington, and Simon Ladd take a break from the festivities during Anime USA 2009.

Since the semester has begun and classes are in session, it’s time to search for clubs or associations to join. Apart from groups that are for academically purposes, the Anime Club at the Alexandria campus is not a club but an interest group that has members, but not enough to be officially a club organization.

In the past, this group was able had many people attend the meetings. However, the group has decreased in size to the point where it might not continue through next semester. The challenge for its president, Anton Maul, is to keep the group together with what members remain.

Maul stated that the hardest thing about his position is “the ability to maintain an interest and pull the group together to put on an event.”

“In the past, we would get a table at NOVA Day and attract people to try and join the group,” Maul said through e-mail. “Unfortunately afterward, we have always had some sort of error with setting up and running a good e-mail account for the club.”

When hopeful members don’t get replies to their e-mails, they may lose interest.

The group consists of members who enjoy watching anime (Japanese animation) and reading mangas (Japanese comics). During meetings, they gather around to vote on a show that they’d like to watch.

Maul said that if the group were more organized, they would have been able to go to some local anime conventions.

The problem continues as more people remain unaware that this group is still around. While some former members have moved on or graduated, those who remain hope there will be fresh faces, even if it’s not from one campus. The Anime Interest Group is still looking for any NOVA students who would like to join. For more information, contact, Maul on Facebook or via e-mail at sagabwoy@gmail.com.

By: Tamika Taylor

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