Animazement

The history of Animazement began in 1997, when TAAS (Triangle Area Anime Society) held the first 36-Hour Anime Marathon event. TAAS, led by North Carolina State University Students, was an anime club for fans of all ages. Their weekly meetings were attended by a diverse group of fans from central North Carolina, ranging in age from elementary school students to adults. At the 36-Hour Anime Marathon, over 200 fans from all across North Carolina were able to gather for a weekend of anime-related fun. The organizers began considering holding an anime convention, and this event was viewed as a sort of test-case for what would eventually become Animazement.

The mission of Animazement is to provide an introduction to Japanese Language and Culture, through the world of Japanese Animation and Manga. For three days each spring, a diverse group of attendees, volunteers, special Japanese and American guests, panelists, and our staff come together to share in celebrating Japanese entertainment and visual culture. Our activities span the various genres of anime, manga, video games, J-pop/J-rock, martial arts, traditional arts and crafts, and more in a family-friendly, festival-like atmosphere. Sure, it’s a party, but it is our sincere hope that everyone who attends Animazement will learn something and leave with a greater sense of cultural understanding and appreciation for Japanese Culture and Language.

『日本のアニメと漫画を通じて日本の文化･日本語を紹介する』

Animazement is the primary event sponsored by Educational Growth Across Oceans (EGAO), a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization and charity. After 20+ years, Animazement remains the major vehicle we employ to promote our educational, cultural, and artistic mission. As a fully volunteer-run event, which includes our Executive and Project Directors, Administrative and Division Staff, and even our on-site Event Staff, we at Animazement depend on the generosity and goodwill of our local community and partnerships to function year after year.

In that spirit, funding for Animazement is brought to you by… you! Our attendees, community, and fans! Ticket sales and individual charitable contributions account for the bulk of Animazement’s operational expenses. Additional funding is sourced from advertising revenue, sponsorships.

This program is funded in part by the City of Raleigh based on recommendations of the Raleigh Arts Commission.

If you would like to support Animazement and Educational Growth Across Oceans, please consider making a charitable contribution to help us further our mission of sharing Japanese language, arts, and culture. Funding will be used in support of Animazement as well as other programs including scholarships and continuing education courses. We gratefully accept monetary donations, as well as goods (items for prizes/giveaways, computers, equipment, etc.)

If you’d like to make a monetary donation, we can accept credit cards via PayPal, or checks via postal mail. Our PayPal address is: e‑sales@animazement.org. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Please make sure to indicate in the notes field that you are making a Charitable Contribution when paying via PayPal. If you’d prefer to pay by check, please send it to our mailing address: Animazement / EGAO PO Box 31582 Raleigh, NC 27622 Please include a note indicating you are making a Charitable Contribution. If you’d like to contribute goods, please contact us and let us know what you have in mind. We gratefully accept donations of items for prizes/giveaways, old computers and A/V equipment, etc. Thank you for your interest in contributing to the future of Animazement and EGAO!

Sponsoring Animazement is a great way to get your name in front of people while supporting the anime community. Animazement accepts sponsorship in many ways, including: Lanyards/Badge Holders, Prizes for Contests, Advertising in our con book, Convention Bags, and much more.