Tokyo Tower, an emblem of both modern Japan and its links to the west, stands tall in the Roppongi district of Tokyo. The Tokyo Tower Anime Club at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, California adopted this namesake precisely because of the easily identifiable monument's status.

"We chose Tokyo Tower Anime Club because the Tower is in a lot of anime," states Julie Behn, president and founder of Tokyo Tower. "It is also a symbol of Tokyo and Japan so we found it fitting."

Behn's vision for Tokyo Tower started three years ago.

"When I first went to SSU I was disappointed that there was not an anime club," she remembers. "I first started making posters and hanging them around the SSU campus to get an idea if enough people would be interested in an anime club in the Fall of 1998. About ten people were interested so I thought that would be enough. Our club was chartered that Fall even though we had to hold meetings at my house. By the Spring we could use the campus rooms and the rest is history." Now Tokyo Tower boasts of 65 members on their email list, and 25 members who regularly attend meetings-a far cry from the original ten.

Anime screenings take place every other week in three-hour installations. Behn, who has the largest selection of anime in the group, usually chooses which titles to screen, but input from others regulates how much of a title they will watch.

"Probably our most popular title is 'Rurouni Kenshin,' Behn reveals. 'Trigun' is also very popular and so is 'Saber Marionette J.'"

Behn believes that what makes Tokyo Tower different from other anime clubs is that it consists of relaxed individuals who enjoy taking each day as it comes and watching anime along the way.

"We just like to take breaks from busy college life to hang out and watch anime at its best," Behn says. "Members can just come to our meeting, watch and leave. We do not get upset if that is all people want to do. Some are more involved than others like in any club, but there is no pressure to be always active." Other than the general attitudes of club members, Tokyo Tower also participates in different group activities. "Whenever a Japanese animated movie opens on the big screen we take group trips to the movies and we attend Fanimecon in San Jose every year. We are also planning to make at least one trip a semester to Japantown in San Francisco," Behn explains.

All three activities are bound to keep Tokyo Tower busy. But with their laid back personalities and ardent love for anime, Tokyo Tower will no doubt continue to flourish as long as their namesake burns bright over the bustling night of a modern Japanese industrial city.