Prince Frederick Library Hosts Manga Nights

 

Prince Frederick Library

Prince Frederick Library

On October 8, at 7 p.m., a crowd of people came together to celebrate Japanese culture at the Prince Frederick library. This “Matsuri,” which translates to as a Japanese festival or holiday, was hosted by Ms. Allyson Evans, the library’s Public Service Librarian in Technology, who originally suggested the idea of hosting a Matsuri to the library. “When I started working here last year, I saw that the library had so many amazing programs for its customers and was really impressed with the quality of those programs,” Evans stated. “I just flew with their excellent example and suggested a few programs I wanted to see.”

The event itself offers attendees the opportunity to gather to watch anime, a unique style of Japanese animation, eat pocky, a Japanese snack, and to discuss anime and manga with other avid fans. According to Evans, it also, “offers a great opportunity for anime and manga fans to nerd out a little bit in a safe, comfortable, and easy-going environment.” Evans continued, “I think this program offers a place for kids on the fringe to meet each other, hang out, and have some fun.”

Allison Tardio, a local middle school student who attended, said, “I love anime, duh! Plus, they’re fun and I like the library. It’s nice to see the artwork and meet people interested in the anime since no one at my school likes it.” The events themselves generally tend to attract teens, as they form the greater majority of the library’s anime/manga customers. Concerns have been raised regarding how to somehow alter the event in a way for adults to feel free to attend without being concerned about being surrounded by only preteens and teens. “I’ve been contacted by a few people in their 20’s who are interested in these events, but who have expressed concern about how it might be awkward to attend an anime night of mostly tweens and teens,” admitted Evans. “I agree with them, but I’m not sure how we can separate the events into two age groups.”

Although the events have a few issues to settle, the Prince Frederick library intends to continue the program by hosting more events. As of press time, four Matsuri events have been planned. On November 19, special guest artists McNevin Hayes demonstrated how to draw in the manga style, on January 12, 2010, a cosplay or costume making workshop will be help and the series will conclude on March 30, 2010, when the library will host multiple contests in cosplaying, artwork, and writing a manga script.

–Nohely Rios, Journalism One

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