Atlanta’s Growing Anime Culture
A little-known fact about Atlanta is that it is a hub for Anime Culture. Many people have been known to gather in Atlanta to celebrate their love and appreciation for the rising pop media trend known as Anime Culture. Anime Culture is the appreciation of Japanese animated art, role-playing, computer games, and cosplay. This worldwide phenomenon comes in the form of games, comic books, anime novels, magazines, games, and real-life interpretations. Anime Culture has taken the world by storm and has somehow become concentrated in the center of Atlanta.
The Convention Hub of the Southeast
Atlanta is the home to three major Comic Conventions: MomoCon, Dragon Con, and Anime Weekend Atlanta. MomoCon is an annual convention which was started by Georgia Tech’s Anime Club in 2004. DragonCon was started by four individuals who wanted an all-inclusive convention, where people from all interests could come together and enjoy a couple of days of fun. Anime Weekend Atlanta is the most specific of these conventions, focusing mainly on anime, comics, and cosplay. Gaming does not play a role in this convention as it does in the others. At all of these conventions, celebrities and actors make appearances and fanatics gather to enjoy their mutual love of anime. They flood the streets dressed as Goku, Sailor Moon, and other iconic animated characters. Jess Merriman, founder, and co-chairman of Momocon. Merriman started Momocon in 2005 after serving as the head of the anime club at Georgia Tech and described comic conventions as “inclusive environments for socially marginalized people.”
My Parent's Basement Good Food, Good Beer, & Good Comics
One of Atlanta’s hidden gems is known as “My Parent’s Basement.” My Parent’s Basement is a bar located east of Atlanta in Decatur. It is an occult favorite as they get frequent new shipments of comic books and anime novels. They also hold plenty of trivia events and is the best place to grab a pint of beer and the newest issue of My Hero Academia. For those who cannot afford to indulge in cosplay, this shop is a great alternative to get your anime fix.
Comic Cooking Café A Cooking Experience
Another unknown classic is the “Comic Cooking Cafe.” Ran by health coach and cooking enrichment instructor Christine Benta, the class is centered around involving your favorite fandoms into cooking and mixology in a fun and healthy way. You can create things like “Thor’s Roasted Corn & Taco Salad” or “Hello Kitty Bowtie Alfredo.”
Atlanta is Where It's At!
So why is Atlanta a hub for such culture? Location! Every city and country has flights available to Atlanta. As the rise of Comic conventions in the area grows, so does the market for establishments catered to the individuals that come to the city. And with such a large population, to begin with, there are plenty of people with anime interests. With so many businesses also located in Atlanta, people flock to this city from around the country. While people are here for business trips, they take the time to enjoy themselves at conventions throughout the year.
An Inclusive Haven
Atlanta has become a safe haven for fanatics and comic book lovers. From Midtown to the Perimeter, there will be places where you can find people who love all the same things you do. There are events for every kind of fan, from those who go all out with cosplays, to the casual fan who is just looking for a day of fun. No matter what kind of fan you are, there is something for everyone here in Atlanta.
