Anime Club

 Aspects of anime, a Japanese form of animation, can be found in films, books, video games, haircuts, music, and even foods, and JJMS’s Anime Club explores them all. The club meets once a month in room 111, from 2:10 to 4:00 p.m. New members are welcome at any meeting.

“I’m checking it out. I’ve been watching anime since I was six years old,” said Roman, a seventh grader.

“It’s fun, you get to hang out with your BFFs,” said Sammi, an eighth grader.

Club meetings are attended by anywhere from ten to fifteen fans, and include doing an activity loosely based on anime culture, and watching a portion of an anime film together. Members love to play anime games on Kahoot. Snacks often include Pocky and Hi-Chew. Hands down, their favorite films are by Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, such as “Spirited Away.”

“Animation Club is the school’s only student-created club,” said Mr. Stathis, the club advisor and biology teacher. “I also advise the film club, and I really like anime, but students manage the whole process.”

Last week, the members made miniature Japanese doughnuts. Each member received a Kracie Happy Kitchen DIY Donut Kit that contained chocolate and vanilla donut mix, two kinds of sprinkles, and three kinds of frosting: coconut/vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate.

The two eighth grade club leaders had obtained translations of the Japanese instructions ahead of time, and demonstrated the steps for the students. The final result: confections that looked like doll house decorations but tasted like doughnuts.

For the last thirty minutes, the students watched a segment of “My Neighbor Totoro,” an anime fantasy film that tells the story of two sisters, Satsuki and Mei, and their interactions with friendly wood spirits.

Anime Club is an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon—making things, playing games, and learning a bit about Japanese culture in the process.

 

 

Making Japanese Doughnuts