Unveiling the happenings at AniTOMO, Brooklyn Public Library's inaugural anime and manga gathering
The bustling streets of Brooklyn played host to a unique event last Saturday, as the first AniTOMO convention took place at the Brooklyn Public Library's Cadman Plaza branch. This inclusive anime and manga convention, developed by the Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) community, aimed to provide a platform for fans of color without high costs, fostering a cultural exchange between Brooklyn and Japan.
The convention was divided into three floors, each offering a different experience. The common area served as a hub, where attendees could mingle and enjoy the atmosphere. The second floor was dedicated to a Street Fighter 6 tournament, providing an exciting competitive element. Meanwhile, the interactive gaming and manga panels area on the third floor offered a variety of engaging activities.
Close to 1,000 people registered for AniTOMO, with over 500 of them lining up outside the Brooklyn Public Library on July 8. The event was free for attendees, a testament to the community-oriented approach taken by the organisers. Sponsors such as Square Enix, Anime NYC, Sephora, Viz Media, Crunchyroll, the Japan Society, and more, supported the convention, ensuring its success.
The artist alley was a highlight, featuring independent vendors selling anime and manga-inspired designs, from embroidery to glass plates. Attendees were treated to free giveaways, including an Xbox One X, gift certificates to the Japan Film Festival, and badges to AnimeNYC.
Eileen Baptistin Level, the founder of AniTOMO, stated that the convention joined the movement of initiatives to show that POC fans can participate in the evolution and every aspect of the industry. Level and her team surveyed anime and manga fans of color living in underserved areas in Brooklyn for a year to develop the vision for the first-ever AniTOMO.
Trailblazers in the industry, such as creators from GKids and voice actor Zeno Robinson, provided spaces for direct communication with attendees, making the event a truly memorable experience for all. Eileen Baptistin Level's application to the Brooklyn Public Library's incubator was successful, securing a $10,000 grant in January 2023, further supporting the growth and success of AniTOMO.
The AniTOMO convention, a combination of the words anime and Tomodachi (which means friendship in Japanese), marked a significant step forward in representing and celebrating the BIPOC community in the world of anime and manga. It was hosted outside of Brooklyn Borough Hall and is a shining example of what can be achieved when a community comes together to create a space for shared passion and cultural exchange.
- The unique BIPOC-created AniTOMO convention, a blend of anime and Tomodachi (friendship in Japanese), brought together a diverse group of fashion-and-beauty enthusiasts, food-and-drink connoisseurs, and home-and-garden aficionados in Brooklyn last Saturday.
- The interactive gaming and manga panels area on the third floor catered to education-and-self-development, offering insights on the creation of characters and storylines, while the Street Fighter 6 tournament provided an exciting sports competition.
- As attendees shopped for anime and manga-inspired merchandise from independent vendors in the artist alley, they built relationships with like-minded individuals who shared their love for pets, travel, and weather-themed cosplay.
- On the occasion of the AniTOMO convention, trailblazers such as GKids creators and voice actor Zeno Robinson contributed to the wealth of knowledge and experiences in the industry, fostering a sense of community and shared learning.
- Eileen Baptistin Level, the founder of AniTOMO, expressed gratitude for the support from sponsors like Square Enix, Sephora, and the Japan Society, as these collaborations enabled the development and expansion of the convention.
- As AniTOMO continues to grow and evolve, it serves as a testament to the power of shared passion, cultural exchange, and community-oriented initiatives, marking a significant step forward in the representation of the BIPOC community in the anime and manga industry.
