Anime Night

Celebrate the culture and cuisine of Japan amid the summer blooms at The Morton Arboretum.

All images by Mr. Pintamuro (ミスターピンタムロ)

Guest teaching artist Mr. Pintamuro (ミスターピンタムロ)—a Chicago-based muralist, illustrator, and educator from the Little Village neighborhood—will lead two free art workshops focused on the fundamental drawing techniques of manga and anime and the creative possibilities of these storytelling mediums.

Drop by the Children’s Garden to get an anime temporary tattoo and craft an origami headband.

Local organizations and vendors will be stationed at tables in Arbor Court. Shop for manga, toys, and more—and find out how to get involved with Japanese martial and cultural arts in the Chicago area.

Authentic Japanese food and drinks will be available to purchase from food trucks in Arbor Court.

Throughout the evening, guests will enjoy a live performance by pioneering DJ Van Paugam, known for championing 70s and 80s Japanese city pop music and performing globally in cities like Tokyo, Paris, and Berlin. Based in Chicago, he blends Japanese aesthetics, ritual, and philosophy into a vinyl DJ style that’s both meditative and moving.

Discounted Admission

Special evening admission to the Arboretum after 5:00 p.m. is available on the day of the event, at a price of $5 per person aged 4 and older. Children aged 3 and younger are admitted free. Select the evening time slot when purchasing Arboretum admission for Thursday, August 21.

Pair Anime Night with a Round of Wonder Woods Mini Golf

Wonder Woods Mini Golf is open late for Anime Night! The imaginative, tree-themed course was specially designed for the Arboretum with the help of our research scientists. Wonder Woods Mini Golf tickets must be purchased online in advance for a specific, reserved timeslot.

Destination Asia Festival

At the Destination Asia Festival on Saturday, August 2, and Sunday, August 3, enjoy live arts performances, taste delicious foods from local vendors, and learn about the Arboretum’s work in partnership with experts across Asia to advance tree science, conservation, and forest management.

Activities and Vendors

Food Trucks

Authentic Japanese food and drinks will be available to purchase from food trucks in Arbor Court from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Activities

Stop by the Children’s Garden to get an anime temporary tattoo and craft an origami headband.

Visit Arbor Court to purchase mochi donuts from 2d restaurant—Chicago’s only restaurant with a dining room painted to look like a real-life comic book—and participate in a fun activity to make an art project from your donut bag.

Participating Organizations and Vendors

A variety of Chicago-area organizations and vendors will be stationed at tables in Arbor Court.

Established in Chicago in 1977, the Japanese Culture Center offers a wide variety of martial arts, cultural classes, and unique events to immerse visitors in Japan’s rich heritage. Stop by the Japanese Culture Center table in Arbor Court to sign up for upcoming classes.

Goblin Market is Chicago’s destination for manga, graphic novels, comics, games, crafting supplies, and more.

Anime and Manga Workshops

Interested in developing your own manga stories and characters? Visit the Children’s Garden for two free anime and manga workshops led by Chicago-based muralist, illustrator, and educator Mr. Pintamuro (ミスターピンタムロ).

An introductory workshop focused on fundamental manga drawing techniques will be followed by an intermediate workshop exploring the creative possibilities in manga and anime storytelling.

Participants are free to attend one or both workshop sessions.

Please note that capacity is limited and advance registration for workshops is required. Registration will open soon.

A 30-minute open drawing and Q&A session will take place between the two workshop sessions. Registration is not required to attend the open drawing session.

Session 1—Manga Character Design and Symmetry

This introductory workshop focuses on the core visual building blocks of manga and anime drawing, including the foundational principles of using symmetry to create balanced and appealing characters. Participants will also learn introductory principles of characters’ eye placement and techniques for drawing hair textures.

All skill levels are welcome.

Session 2—Japanese Storytelling Methods and Indigenous Symbols

This second workshop dives deeper into the elements of Japanese storytelling and common narrative structures in anime and manga. Drawing from his own Nahuatl ancestry, Mr. Pintamuro (ミスターピンタムロ) will lead storybuilding exercises that highlight the power of diverse cultural and personal symbols to enrich a character’s story.

All skill levels are welcome. Beginners are encouraged to attend both sessions.

Instructor

Mr. Pintamuro (ミスターピンタムロ) is a Chicago-based muralist, illustrator, and educator from the Little Village neighborhood. His work blends Indigenous Mexican symbology, Nahua philosophy, and the dynamic flair of Shōwa-era manga aesthetics. Merging ancient storytelling with contemporary urban life, Mr. Pintamuro (ミスターピンタムロ) invites a curious reengagement with the land, ceremony, and community, blending past and present in a celebration of heritage and resilience.