About Us: The History of Ronin Anime

Back in October of 2003 Aimee Huffman and Harold Bailey, after weeks of discussion and deliberation , held the first ever meeting of West Palm Beach Anime at the Palm Beach County Library Main Branch. Aimee had aspirations of a local anime club where young anime fans could go and enjoy anime, hang out with friends, and even learn about the Japanese culture through animation. There was no mandatory attendance or dues. No solid commitment required. The club was meant to bring Anime fans together to have fun. With the guidance and support of Aimee and Harold, this dream became a reality. But no dream is perfect.

Early in the club's fragile stages of development Aimee and Harold began arguing over what was right for the club. Tensions ran high for months. A committee was established. A static meeting site was chosen. Club membership was slowly but steadily increasing as Harold and Aimee grew farther apart and the club was nearly divided.

In February 2004, Harold Bailey officially left West Palm Beach Anime and founded Anime no Baka, another local club designed for the dedicated Otaku. Aimee did not believe all club members should have to be grouped under the Otaku umbrella. Most club members were teenagers and young adults who still had their lives ahead of them and may not have been able to afford to enjoy anime and conventions as a real Otaku would.

As a result, the committee decided it was time for a new name and new direction. Committee Member Christian Piescik was inspired by the writings and teachings of the samurai, and suggested Ronin Anime. According to Japanese history, ronin samurai warriors were masterless wanderers who often did odd jobs as farmers, monks, and even body guards after the death or exile of their lords (damiyo), espesially after ritual suicide like sepukku was outlawed at the dawn of the Meiji era in the late 1800s. In modern Japan, the term often referes to high school graudates who didn't pass college entrance exams and are preparing for another opportunity. And so, like the samurai without his master or the graudate looking for that second chance, Ronin Anime was created.