Hosting an anime party can cost less than traveling to an anime convention. Also, anime makes a great party theme because everyone can dress up. Learn how to organize an excellent anime party while showing off all the knowledge you have on the subject.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Planning the party
Step 1. Make invitations and send them
Enter "anime invitations" into a search engine to buy anime themed invitations online. Another option is to make the invitations yourself. You can find templates by searching for "printable anime cards" on the internet. It's a good idea to combine the template with some cool paper from a local office supply store.
For example, you can find pre-made anime invitations on Amazon, or order custom anime invitations on Etsy
Step 2. Buy or make a costume
Choose one of the anime characters that you like the most or one that is well known. Or you could choose an anime character because he has a costume that you would like to replicate. Each anime character tends to have several standout features or accessories that you can emulate.
- Some examples of popular male anime characters are L, Edward ELRIC, and Kakashi Hatake. If you want to dress up as L, you could wear a thick black wig and bring a magnifying glass or candy (L is a detective who loves desserts). If you want to dress up as Edward ELRIC, put on a shaggy blonde wig and wear alchemist accessories. If you want a Kakashi Hatake costume, put on a ruffled gray wig, a headband, and a vest.
- Some examples of female anime characters are: Asuna, Mirajane Strauss, and Akame. To dress up as Asuna, wear long light blue hair, fake elf ears, and a white outfit. If you want to look like Mirajane Strauss, wear a long off-white blonde wig with a side parting and blue contact lenses. For an Akame costume, wear a black wig that is long in the back and short in the front. Wear red contact lenses.
Step 3. Prepare music playlists
Search anime songs online. Make some playlists that last as long as you think the party could last. Put up speakers or think about streaming music from a smart TV with an internet connection.
Play normal or anime music. If you are looking for music that you can play, you can choose J-Pop, anime themes, or Vocaloid music, such as Hatsune Miku songs
Step 4. You could play anime on TV or DVD
You can play it on low or no volume if you don't want it to interfere with the music. If you have a projector that you can use with a DVD player or computer, you can project anime on the wall. You could watch some classic anime shows like Yu Yu Hakusho, Pokémon or Dragon Ball Z.
Step 5. Make party favors
For a Japanese-American flair, put the souvenirs in takeout containers. Tie pieces of ribbon around them to match the color of the party theme. On top of each box, tie chopsticks in the ribbon knot or bow.
The items you can include in the boxes are anime keychains, candy, erasers, temporary tattoos, or whatever you want! There are many different types of anime products online
Part 2 of 4: Preparing Food
Step 1. Make or order main and side dishes
If you are planning a large party, it may be easier to order food than to prepare it. Look up Japanese restaurants in local online directories or in the yellow pages.
- Some main dish ideas include steak or salmon with teriyaki sauce, and a stir fry with chicken or beef, noodles, vegetables, and toasted sesame seed sauce.
- Some examples of appetizers or side dishes are sushi, fried rice, soup, clams steamed in butter and sake, and fried shrimp with dipping sauces.
Step 2. Serve drinks
There are several Japanese-themed drinks that you can serve at the party. If it is a children's party, of course, it will be better to choose non-alcoholic drinks. If it is a party for adults, it is a good idea to include alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
- Some examples of non-alcoholic beverages you can serve are green tea, cherry blossom tea, soy milk, and Japanese sodas from a local Asian grocery store.
- Some alcoholic beverage options include sake, Japanese beer, and wine.
Step 3. Decorate the desserts
Use cake decorating tools to draw anime faces or characters on mochi, cookies, donuts or cake pops. Make or order a manga-themed cake. Design sweet treats to look like sushi.
Cut bars of Rice Krispies to form circles. Glue fruit and fish gummies to them using Laffy Taffy. Wrap each circle with a dried fruit roll
Part 3 of 4: Decorating the party
Step 1. Place anime balloons
Draw anime faces on the balloons. Alternatively, you can call your local party supply stores to see if they have the right balloons. A third option is to buy anime balloons online. You can fill the balloons with helium or inflate them yourself and place them everywhere.
You can ask, "Do they have anime or manga balloons? Like Pokémon, Dragon Ball, or Naruto?" These are well-known series and mentioning them will help give the party store clerk a better idea of what you're looking for
Step 2. Put anime in photo frames
Visit a craft store or cheap supply store and buy a dozen photo frames. If you have photo frames around the house, you can use them and replace the photos they had when the party is over. Print cool anime screenshots or images that fit into the frames. Place them all over the party area.
Step 3. Cut out anime characters to place on location cards
Print anime characters on plain paper. Cut out cardboard rectangles and fold them in half so that they stand up like tents. Glue an anime character to each one, and write the name of one of the party food plates underneath. You can also write or print the Japanese translation to include on the card. Place each card in front of the respective food plate it describes.
Instead of using the cards to label the party food, you can put the English version of some interesting quotes from animated series
Step 4. Hang paper lanterns
Purchase paper lanterns in the color of the party's theme at a party supply store or online. You can also make them with tissue paper and flexible metal wire.
Part 4 of 4: Enjoy the party
Step 1. Organize a costume contest
Make sure the invitations instruct attendees to wear costumes. Give anime-themed prizes for the winners of different categories. For example, the most original costume, the most elaborate costume and the most authentic costume.
Step 2. Plan games
You could play anime video games or trivia games. You can also put a spin on Pictionary by playing an anime-based version. Another idea is card games, like Beyblade or Yu-Gi-Oh !.
Step 3. Make crafts
Plan crafts that fit in with a children's party or an adult party, depending on which one you organize. If the guests are of different ages, you can plan both types of crafts.
- Some examples of kid-friendly crafts you can do include printing anime coloring pictures with markers or crayons, decorating magnets, painting anime-themed rocks, and making fake sushi out of felt.
- Some adult crafts you can plan include making origami, anime image magnets, or polymer clay figures (supplies are provided). You can also draw anime faces or designs on mugs or clay vases to hold succulents or other plants.