Airbags

The column this week is a departure from the usual format, but I enjoyed writing it because it more closely resembles the kind of thing a librarian actually does. In the library world, we might call this a pathfinder, but it is simply a guide to resources on a particular subject or topic. Just for fun, I decided to create a pathfinder to Internet resources for anime and manga. This list is not meant to be exhaustive, but I hope it acts as a starting point for your own investigations. And, if you're looking for the Chicago connection, be sure to check out the local clubs section of the list.

Next week I will be back with a profile of Charles Tyson Yerkes and a look at the rise of Chicago's mass transit system.

Getting Started

The Librarian's Guide to Anime and Manga. Excellent basic introduction by Gilles Poitras answers the questions, "What are anime and manga?" and provides some great introductory resources.

The Anime Cafe: Parent's Guide to Anime. For the parent who wants to know what the deal is with their kid's obssession with Yu-Gi-Oh!, this site also provides a good introduction to the genre. The Anime Cafe also provides an extensive ratings guide to anime for parents using the MPAA ratings system with brief descriptions of content. �

Magazines & News

Animerica: Anime and Manga Monthly. The official homepage for this essential magazine includes a table of contents of all issues and a complete index to articles. Additional online content includes interviews, profiles, news, commentary and introductions to select series.

Anime News Service. Anime News Service was started in 1998 by Jonah Morgan, and is one of the most popular English-language sites for anime and manga news. Unlike many anime sites, the page has very few graphics, focusing on news content rather than images. The page is updated nearly daily, Monday through Friday.

Anime News Network. Besides being a good source for news, this frequently updated site includes discussion forums, contests, and an encyclopedia of anime and manga.

Bibliographies, Reviews and Recommended Reading

Recommended Anime, Manga and Books. Also from Gilles Poitras, this site is essential reading for anyone interesting in building their own anime or manga collection. Provides brief reviews and descriptions with ratings or warnings where appropriate and links to shopping resources.

Anime Primer. Extensive list of descriptions for recommended anime films and series.

PRISMS: The Ultimate Manga Guide. This English-language manga guide is so complete it's scary. The guide lists manga artists in alphabetical order with a brief biography, followed by a list of their titles. Each title is listed in both English and Japanese and includes publisher information, year of publication, and editions and volumes information. A synopsis or review may also be included.

Anime Cafe. Includes reviews for over 150 popular anime titles.

Directories

Anime Web Turnpike. The Anime Web Turnpike was founded in August of 1995, and is now one of the largest directories of anime and manga related links online. This directory includes a formidable number of links, including publishers and distributors, multimedia, individual series, news and magazines, fan pages and shopping guides.

Arts: Animation: Anime. Comprehensive collection of anime links from the DMOZ Open Directory Project.

Arts: Comics: Manga. Over 1,400 links to manga resources from the DMOZ Open Directory Project.

Shopping

Anime Digital: Pirate Anime FAQ. Can you tell the difference between bootlegs and the real thing? This guide will tell you how to spot counterfeit anime goods.

Anime on DVD. Frequently updated news site devoted to reviews and alerts of upcoming DVD releases of anime titles.

Local Clubs & Conventions

Animatrix Network. The Animatrix Network is is an anime and manga fan club located in the Chicagoland area. Monthly meetings are free to attend and open to the public. The club was founded in 1995.

JAPC: Japanese Anime People of Chicago, JAPC Mailing List. Japanese Anime People of Chicago is an anime, manga, and protoculture club for the Chicagoland area. It was founded in October 2000. Gatherings usually take place at the founder's home. Read the mailing list guidelines if you are interested in joining.

Chicago Anime, Chicago Anime Mailing List. The website has not been updated in over a year, but the mailing list still appears to be active so if you're interested, you may want to check it out. ChiAnime is an anime and manga group for those who live in the Chicago area and nearby suburbs.

NoSCAMS: Northwest Suburban Chicago Anime/Manga, NoSCAMS Mailing List. The Northwest Suburban Chicago Anime/Manga Society has monthly meetings in the Chicago area, usually at a member's home. See their website or sign up for the mailing list for information about what films and series they are currently screening.

Anime Meetup - Chicago. Yes, of course Meetup has a group for Anime fans. Gatherings take place every second Thursday of the month. Sign up or log in at Meetup.com if you are interested.

Anime Central 2004: The Midwest Anime and Manga Convention. The seventh annual Anime Central convention will be taking place May 14-16, 2004 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. Keep watching this website (in Slowdown) for programming and exhibitor information.