Magyar Anime Társaság

Magyar Anime Társaság (also known by its acronym, MAT), literally "Hungarian Anime Company" is a hungarian non-profit organization. Its goal is to promote anime, manga, and other aspects of japanese culture to hungarian society, and to dissolve negative preconceptions about anime and manga in the general public. MAT is the organizer of anime cons in Hungary, either by alone (in case of cons held at Budapest) or in cooperation with local anime clubs.

Foundation and membership

MAT was formed on July 6, 2003, at HungaroCon held at Salgótarján, with founding members coming from as many cities/villages as sixteen. Hiroshi Abe, the attaché of the Japanese Embassy was also present with his family.

MAT is a non-profit organization, its current seat is in Érd, and its functioning area includes the whole country.

Members can visit anime cons free of charge, and they are eligible for discount prices at selected anime-related shops whom with MAT have an agreement. The annual due for membership is 4000 forint.

Goals

MAT's main goal is to promote and popularize anime, manga and other aspects of japanese culture (for example customs, modern music, and fashion) in Hungary, and to dissolve negative preconceptions about these topics. Other goals include legally helping Japan-related events wherever in the country, cooperation with other Japan-related groups and companies, and aiding the importion/licensing of anime and manga.

Events where MAT participated

2003
*July 4-6 - HungaroCon "(MAT's founding)"
*November 22-23 - Őszi Seregszemle

2004
*May 2 - Sci-fi Nap "(Sci-fi Day)"
*May 22-23 - Tavaszi Seregszemle
*September 19 - AnimeNap "(AnimeDay)"
*November 27 - Őszi Anime-party "(Autumn Anime-party)"

2005
*April 16 - Sakura Party
*May 8 - Átjáró Nap "(Passthrough Day)"
*July 16 - Szegedi Anime Con
*October 1 - Őszi Anime-party "(Autumn Anime-party)"

2006
*March 5 - 2. Magyar Képregényfesztivál "(2nd Hungarian Comic Festival)"
*May 14 - "(Passthrough Meetings: Sakura Party)"
*July 15 - MiskolCon
*October 7 - Őszi AnimeCon "(Autumn AnimeCon)"
*October 28 - Anime day at Ferenc Hopp East-Asian Arts Museum

2007
*May 5-6 - SakuraCon
*July 14 - NyaCon - Nyári AnimeCon "(Summer AnimeCon)"
*October 6-7 - Őszi AnimeCon "(Autumn AnimeCon)"

2008
*SakuraCon
*Nyári AnimeCon "(Summer AnimeCon)"
*September 27-28 - Őszi AnimeCon "(Autumn AnimeCon)"