It’s after 7 p.m. and Rhode Hall is empty, except for one dark room on the third floor which is filled with students watching anime.
As Merriam-Webster defines anime, it is a style of animation, originated in Japan, that is characterized by colorful graphics depicting vibrant characters.
For students interested in anime, the Anime Club meets weekly to discuss and watch episodes of anime shows.
At each Anime Club meeting, members gather at 7 p.m. Thursdays in Rhode Hall, Room 333. During their meetings, members munch on snacks as they discuss their thoughts on anime shows they have watched. Along with discussing shows, members of the club watch episodes of different anime series.
Days before each meeting, a poll is sent to members of the club. With this poll, the show which will be watched at the meeting is voted on and determined.
For members of the club, learning about shows they had not heard of before, getting recommendations on what to watch, and just being in a room with people who enjoy anime too are some of the reasons they attend meetings.
Nathan Ortega, a mathematics major, has been a part of the anime club for three years.
“Sometimes we see the generic ones (anime) that everyone’s heard of and sometimes I see [new] ones that I thought this thing is an actual anime. Sometimes I love it, sometimes I hate it, it’s just a new experience,” Ortega said.
This semester, Tiffany Cyr, an animal science major, is beginning her first year as president of the club. She has been part of the club for four years and is hoping to grow the club during her time as president. Around campus, she has started hanging flyers informing students about the club around campus. In doing this, there has already been an increase in students attending the meeting.
Donovan Banos, electrical engineering major, and Estefana Reta, animal science major, were both notified about the club when Reta saw a flyer on campus and told Banos they should attend. Since attending meetings, they’re experience has been good.
“It’s a great way to meet other people with the same things you like, they like as well. It’s easy to find people and make friends here,” Banos said.
Cyr invites anyone interested in joining the club to attend a meeting.
“[Students] shouldn’t be scared at all because everyone here is super friendly, and they just want to talk about what they love, so I think it’s a really good place for them to come and find people that share their interest,” Cyr said.