ORANGE PARK – Dazzling costumes, glow-in-the-dark drinks, lightsabers and neon lights helped create an electrifying atmosphere on New Year’s Eve at Nakama Anime Bar and Karaoke Lounge. The cyberpunk-themed party brought in a spectacle of pirates, Pokémon, ninjas, samurais, robots and mythical creatures in creative cosplay. 

Nakama, Jacksonville’s first anime-themed bar, celebrated its first full year as a cultural focal point for anime, manga, video games, cosplay, Dungeons & Dragons, sci-fi, fantasy and more. In addition to being a bar, karaoke lounge, restaurant and café, Nakama has been a second home for fans and their fandoms. 

“New Year’s Eve is the busiest time of the year for us,” said Shawn Lim, the founder and owner of Nakama. 

Lim developed his passion for anime at a young age, watching Toonami late at night. He fell in love instantly with shows like “Dragon Ball Z,” “Pokémon” and “Cowboy Bebop.” After prior experience in the restaurant industry and determination to establish his own, he found no better inspiration than the beloved shows from his youth, the art form he still cherishes today. 

Nakama is inspired by an “izakaya,” an informal Japanese bar serving alcoholic drinks and snacks. The restaurant café is the door on the left, and the karaoke bar is the door on the right. During the New Year’s party, patrons ordered shoyu ramen noodles, curry rice and other Japanese dishes at the café, which were then delivered to them next door at the bar. 

Lim said Nakama is truly a premier sake bar, offering the greatest selection of sake in Northeast Florida. Sake flights and pitchers are popular, and each sake cocktail has been handcrafted. The signature drink of the New Year’s event was the Lucy cocktail, inspired by the character from “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.” Lucy’s pastel and mechanical aesthetic from the acclaimed Netflix show inspired the pink, fruity drink garnished with silver flakes. Lim shared some other fan-favorite cocktails. 

“The Nezuko cocktail tastes bittersweet because that’s the kind of story she has in the show (“Demon Slayer”). The cinnamon bark along the top represents the muzzle she wears. The Captain Levi cocktail is made with matcha green tea, and the green represents the scout regiment in the show (“Attack on Titan”),” Lim said. 

Karaoke is a fixture of Japan’s nightlife culture, and it is usually sung in private rooms with friends. Nakama is committed to fostering that same experience. Private rooms are $16 an hour a person. Alternatively, an open mic on stage is free for patrons who write their names down in the queue. For large events, Lim recommends booking private rooms ahead of time. 

“They’ll be booked out during big events,” Lim said. “We have a big cosplay party every month. Next month’s will be Spy x Family.” 

Lim looks forward to the new year’s events, especially Nakama Con 2024. There are events held at Nakama throughout the year, too. The Dungeons & Dragons league kicks off tournaments every other Saturday. Smash Bros Ultimate tournaments are held on Tuesdays. On Tuesday nights, ladies drink free from 7-9 p.m. Pokémon trading card expos are on Wednesdays. Anime trivia night is held on Thursday. And Fridays and Saturdays feature professional DJs who get the crowds dancing and singing.