Anime USA began in 1999 as a 3-day, fan-hosted convention in northern Virginia, celebrating Japanese animation, art, culture, music, and history. It was started by fans and in 2004, became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Anime USA’s mission is to promote, as well as educate the public about Japanese arts and popular culture. Anime USA continues to organize and host an annual event of the same name, Anime USA, in addition to other educational events in the Mid-Atlantic region. As in the beginning, Anime USA remains an organization "of Otaku, by Otaku, for Otaku".