Anime Night Mart Celebrates Anime Culture at Recent Event
Local event organizer Anime Night Mart recently hosted one of its events where artists, collectors, fans, and organizations come together for a day of social gathering with anime culture at its forefront. With events in Las Vegas and Buena Park, CA. ANM brings people of all ages to share their love of anime, manga, and cosplay.
Hosted on January 21st at the YMCA located on Meadows Lane, Anime Night Mart brought the community together for another fun-filled day of anime. Vendors sold anime-related merchandise, and the organizers held raffles, provided music, and hosted cosplay contests, all while people shopped and enjoyed the festivities.
The Recent Anime Night Mart
The event went from 1 PM to 8 PM. As the doors opened to the gymnasium, a crowd of people lined up, ready to enter. Ranging from families, couples, artists, cosplayers and fans. Attendees also lined up to try food provided by the special caterers at the event.
Upon entering, event organizers ask people if they’ve previously attended the event or follow the organization on social media. Those who followed ANM received free tickets to the event. Showing gratitude to those who frequently attend and support the event shows the dedication of the organizers to their community.
Looking around, people smiled and laughed while music blasted around the YMCA gymnasium. A few people got into the party-like atmosphere while most continued to shop. The merchandise presented by the vendors grabbed the most attention since it is called Anime Night Mart. Items ranged from t-shirts, sweaters, Funko Pops, posters, car decal stickers, figurines, trading cards, artwork, candles, cups, ponchos, and soaps.
Anime Night Mart helps independent businesses by letting artists showcase these homemade goods to potential customers. I asked a vendor in charge of the E and G Mexican Art stand if she always attends Anime Night Mart, and she said she tries to make every event.
It’s safe to say that Anime Night Mart brings out very animated emotions from some that help spread the spirit of festivity during the event. Feedback is heard and reciprocated in this community, from the various shouts of “Look at this!” and “I can’t believe this is here!” to people admiring one another’s costumes throughout the day.
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Other Attractions at the Anime Night Mart
ESports Tournament
Anime Night Mart also hosted a tournament at the event, with the Nevada eSports Education League present. They let passersby play Tekken 8 and join in on the tourney if they wanted to participate. Ed Tinoco, one of the leaders of the organization, shared more details about the league.
“NEEL is [a] non-profit and a donation-based league that takes part in esports in Nevada,” Tinoco said. He then explained that NEEL is one of the few esports communities in Las Vegas. Tinoco also mentioned the raffle being conducted at the event and encouraged people to follow NEEL on social media to acquire more raffle tickets.
‘There’s Nothing to Do in Vegas’ Vends for the First Time
Along with the vendor shops and the tournament happening in one area, the local organization ‘There’s Nothing to do in Vegas’ joined the community and vended at the event.
NTDLV provides an online calendar filled with events happening in Las Vegas. Coco Jenkins, who helps run the organization, said that it was their first time participating at Anime Night Mart. I already feel part of the community even though I’m not a big anime fan,” Jenkins shared.
Fantastic Food and Delicious Drinks
In addition to the shops and organizations inside, the food truck and stand outside also drew attention.
Local Hawaiian-fusion food truck, Domain Expansion LV, served event patrons in front of the YMCA with a line that started within minutes of opening. Afterlife, a tea and boba shop, also set up their food stand in the parking lot as well. This women-owned business sells 100% vegan tea and boba.
If one walked around long enough in the YMCA, they’d observe the faces of happy anime characters contentedly enjoying the food and drinks served at the event.
#GetinMotion with the Anime Night Market
Anime has increased in popularity in recent years. The culture continues to grow with platforms like Netflix and others creating new shows and movies. As of January 2024, Crunchyroll’s anime-focused video-on-demand platform had around 13 million paying subscribers. Subscription numbers have grown rapidly in recent years, with the company managing to nearly triple its number of paying subscribers between mid-2021 and the beginning of 2024, according to statista.com.
According to an Americans for the Arts 2022 survey, organizations like Anime Night Mart provide more than just economic benefits.
“Every day, more than 100,000 nonprofit arts and culture organizations in the U.S. are making their communities better places to live and work by beautifying cities, fueling creativity, celebrating diversity, and bringing joy to residents,” according to Randy Cohen, Vice President of Research for Americans for the Arts, wrote in the report.
As a result, it’s no surprise that many Las Vegas locals love the Anime Night Mart.
People wanting to attend the next Anime Night Mart event, become a vendor, or follow the organization on social media can visit ANM’s website, follow on Instagram and Facebook, or sign up for the newsletter.
The community is brought together as soon as its doors open. It is seen in the lines of people laughing and enjoying themselves while admiring art and eating food while immersed in all things that resemble the otaku spirit.
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