The first thing to notice in the Anime and Manga Society’s initial meeting is that there are women present.

Although the men outnumber the women by about six to one, but it is an indication of the evolution of the genre.

Anime is not just for geeky boys anymore. Sure, geeks abound, but now both men and women are equally represented as passionate and knowledgeable lovers of the ever-growing genre.

Since the 1960s Japanese animation has found its way to American soil. Called “anime,” the genre has had a small, loyal following of fans here in the US, with that number slowly growing in popularity every decade as it evolves into a more sophisticated form of art.

It wasn’t until the mid ‘90s when Cartoon Network started broadcasting anime that the genre really entered its adolescent growth spurt. Mainstream America now had access to what was formerly a more “underground” obsession. “Manga” is a term given to Japanese comic books and “anime” to the animated versions of manga, but technically anime refers to any Japanese film or television animation. Fans of anime formed clubs in high schools and universities – as well as online – and now here at Sac State.

Senior Jason Bowman, the club’s founder and president, started the club last spring because he noticed that Sac State didn’t have an anime club on campus.

“I was surprised that Sac State didn’t have one,” he said of the club. “My community college had one, and a bunch of other universities have one, so I just thought: ‘Why not start one here?’”

At the start of the meeting, Bowman, a double major in history and Asian studies, introduces himself and has the entire room introduce themselves one by one, while sharing sharing anime favorites. Murmurs of approval are heard as fan favorites are listed off.

After everyone finishes, Bowman suggests another “icebreaker” exercise where each member names his or her least favorite anime; a potentially controversial topic. Minor debate ensues from a few selections, all friendly and steeped in geeked-out passion.

Vice president Raymund Chico, a senior biology major, views the club’s meetings as a place for its members to be exposed to new anime and as an open forum for friendly discussion.

“Sometimes there’s controversy with people getting together and not liking the same things,” said Chico. “But there you have it, that’s what this is all about.”

Presently the group’s nearly 100 Facebook members vote prior to the meetings to decide what anime to watch. About a quarter of that number physically make it to the meetings each week. Some are strictly just Facebook friends. Members are invited to come as often as they like and to leave when they need to. Throughout the meeting a handful of students leave to rush off to class. A nearby potential member remarks that he’s just “killing time until the traffic on Highway 50 thins out.”

English major Jonathon Yu joined the club last semester because of his interest in the genre and for something to do in between his studies.

“I would’ve joined earlier had I known about it,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun.”

Fun seems to be the goal of the club. Loosely structured by its officers, the club will feature numerous anime films and is open to all students.

Throughout the semester the club plans to host cosplay contests in which members dress up as manga and anime characters, as well as club game nights and raffles. Also being planned for early March is a group trip to Sac-Con, Sacramento’s smaller scale version of San Diego’s annual Comic-Con. Other events and trips are dependent on group participation. The club meets every Thursday from 4pm to 7pm in the Summit Room on the 3rd floor of the University Union.

Steven Senn can be reached at [email protected]