Anime has become a club activity to join in with the welcoming atmosphere of the Japanese Anime Research Society. Also known as J.A.R.S., the Japanese Anime Research Society is a niche group at UT Martin to have students indulge in watching anime, participating in activities and more to relax from the stressful student life.
“The club is a special interest group and aids in finding a sense of community because it’s hard to find people with similar interests. That is why J.A.R.S is very important to our campus,” reported Lauren Davis, President of the Japanese Anime Research Society. The leisure time the club provides helps students create friendships, feel welcomed and relaxed.
Every Tuesday there are anime viewings to join in and every other Friday there is an event hosted by the club. Sometimes these events can be coloring anime sheets, karaoke night, trivia or even a fashion competition — this was done for Valentine’s Day. For their recent event, which happened last Friday March 3, President Lauren Davis hosted a trivia night with the incentive for the 1st place winner to earn a prize.
Currently, Davis plans on having a coloring night for Finals week to help students unwind from the stressful week. Later this semester the club is also planning on an anime movie viewing for students to watch. This Friday the club is also going to resurrect the tradition of going to Sakura, a sushi bar in Jackson, every semester.
Next semester the club plans on improving in many ways, holding fundraisers, participating in campus activities and more community service. On the other hand, the club has an annual event of going to the Middle Tennessee Anime Convention once a year.
The current President of J.A.R.S. is Lauren Davis and Vice President is Dalton Herriott. The club host anime viewings on Tuesdays from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the University Center room 231 — all are welcome to attend. Follow JARS on social media on Instagram @utmartinjars to keep up to date with club meetings and announcements.
