Cal-Animage Alpha ("CAA") is the flagship chapter of a loosely organized international conglomeration of anime clubs all of which share the name "Cal-Animage" (often, but not always, followed by the greek letter denoting their entrance and acceptance into the group). Originally just a group of friends (with a VCR) CAA met in any number of various rooms on the University of California, Berkeley campus; Cal-Animage was formally established by Mike Tatsugawa in January 1989.

While the debate is still on as to "who is the oldest anime club," CAA has the distinction and claim to fame of once being "the largest anime club outside of Japan." In 1994 (the peak of the club's popularity), the club's membership topped out at 329 (although there is some confusion as to the exact number since some didn't pay for membership that year!).

Many past officers both from CAA and other Cal-Animage Chapters have gone on to further spread anime. The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) [was] headed by Mike Tatsugawa and runs the annual Anime Expo. Other previous officers have moved on into the anime industry, both domestic and abroad. One in particular has worked on both sides of the Pacific Ocean and has written the liner notes for the upcoming AnimEigo release of the Macross DVD.

With the release of domestic anime, CAA has slowed down quite a bit. Membership has been fairly constant around 100. The main focus of the weekly Monday showings has been towards those titles that would have little chance of being released in America, yet popular enough to hold an audience's attention. A rather tall order, but the club is persisting.

Come to one of our Monday evening showings between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. and maybe you'll see why the club is still able to hold it's own.

--Rodney Romasanta

Join us!

Standard membership is now $10.00. With this price, you get a brand new Cal Animage Alpha Membership Card with your very own unique membership number on it. With this card, you are allowed to participate in the many club functions. You can borrow tapes, CDs, and manga from CAA's Library, and you can place bids on items during the club's very own auction. You are also entitled to receive copies of the CAA weekly newsletter Konshuu, that contains an overview of the evenings' showings. As an additional treat, CAA members gain free registration for Anime Destiny* - a yearly anime convention put together by CAA in the Fall!
*Note: Unfortunately, Anime Destiny has been postponed indefinitely.

You can purchase membership any time we have a showing (unless otherwise announced). We accept checks made out to "Cal-Animage Alpha" or cash. Sorry, no credit cards accepted.