UCJAS
university of chicago japanese animation society

fall quarter

SFFDMMB

For many years in the past, a small movie-screening gathering called Garden Party had been held at the beginning of the year, where an animated film was accompanied by officers' handmade treats to welcome new members to club. However, in Yida's reign this was erased. Now, the SFFDMMB has arrived to fill the voids left in our hearts with the destruction of Garden Party. At the Special Fantastic First Day Movie Marathon Bonanza, the officers pick one movie to screen via completely unbiased voting (yay for the hoax that is democracy!) and pull together food from several local restaurants to feed the teeming masses of people waiting for yet another Miyazaki film. Just kidding! We've never shown a Miyazaki (or even Studio Ghibli) film at an SFFDMMB; as if we would subjugate ourselves to something so mainstream.
Game Night

In one of the earlier weekends of the quarter, we host UCJAS Games Night as an extra way of letting us get to know our new members before university crushes us all. We play a variety of games there, from Smash to Anime Music Quiz to our large collection of board games. Rumor has it that the club won a mysterious game called Tragedy Looper in a past ACen event, but to this day nobody has managed to learn the rules to it. We end off with our special Anime Charades, featuring a selection of anime (from the depths of trash to the heights of culture) curated by our lovely Jester.

winter quarter

uchi-con

uchi-con is UCJAS's main event of the year. For a single day at the end of January, we hold a convention in Ida Noyes Hall for over a thousand people, featuring many events, food, and enough Japanese culture to fill the entire building. For more information, check out our uchi-con website in the tab above!
Secret Santa

Ever get frustrated that you always get normie gifts since your family and friends don't appreciate your hobbies? UCJAS Secret Santa is the solution to your problems! We give out secret santa assignments at the end of Fall Quarter, and do our gift exchange on the first weekend after school reopens.
Doki Doki Senpai Chocolate Making

Relive anime traditions with our Valentine's Day chocolate making session (not actually on Valentine's Day), open to all regardless of gender or relationship status! Here we hand down our super secret chocolate ball recipe, which is so good you'll want to hoard it all for yourself (or maybe not, it's hella sweet).

spring quarter

ACen Skit

Every year, we plan and perform a skit at the Midwest's largest anime convention: Anime Central, aka ACen. ACen takes place usually on a weekend in May, and it is a three-day-long experience, for those who have never been before. The skit can accommodate up to eight people, but officers get first pick of taking part. Regardless of skill level, whether in acting, cosplaying, or otherwise, anyone can participate in skit. Check the designated ACen Participation page.
Cosplay Sweatshop

Usually held some time before ACen, Cosplay Sweatshop is a great opportunity to develop your cosplay hobby. Beginners can learn basic skills involved in cosplay making, while those with more experience can pick up and share many tips and tricks our club has accumulated from collective experience.
Mitsuwa Trip

On years where we come out of uchi-con and ACen with a budget surplus, our club charters a bus trip to Mitsuwa, a large supermarket complex at Arlington Heights. Besides the supermarket, there's also Kinokuniya bookstore (which has a wide selection of manga), a Japanese food court, and the opportunity to witness the UCJAS grand battle for all the turtle bread in the bakery.

year-round

Hot Potty/Onigiri Making

Due to the clampdown of university regulations on homemade food sales, our club has unfortunately had to ditch our traditional onigiri funraiser. In its place however are several events where we get together (usually at the house of the Supreme Matriarch) to create sustenance and have fun. We usually have an event near the end of every quarter depending on how availability works out.
Reg Sleepover

During finals week of most quarters, club has a "sleepover" (aka cuddle pile) in some place in the Reg, where pillows, blankets, and tables are used to make a pillow fort and anime is watched on a large monitor provided by a club officer. This serves as both relaxation for those that are done with finals and a study opportunity for those who would be studying in the Reg anyway.