[Dec 5] UTAMA's Very Merry Holiday Party

The snow has started to fall and your time at school is about to get much worse: between exams and the weather, there's no telling what can go wrong. So how about unwinding with your friends at UTAMA?

On Saturday, December 5th, UTAMA will be hosting a very special holiday party! Join us in the party room of 38 Grenville St. on Bay and College at 7:30PM for some great homemade food, a gift exchange, party games, dancing, and maybe even some LMC performances!

Note that this event will require a ticket for entry -- $5 for UTAMA members and $10 for everyone else. They're limited to one per person, and we'll be keeping track. You can also buy at the door, but if you wait, it'll run you $7 for members and $15 for non-members. You can pick these up during office hours or any event leading up to December 5th. Additionally, a dress code will be enforced, but you have a choice: you can either dress up in formalwear or an ugly Christmas sweater!

We know you'll be spending your holidays with your loved ones, but why not come out to UTAMA's holiday party first and wish your friends the best for the season? Hope to see you there!

[Nov 27] UTAMA's November Sports GM

Our third general meeting of the year will have a very special theme: sports! Come out to the Claude T. Bissell Building, room 313 on November 27 at 6PM to engage in some fun activities with your friends. And don't worry -- no athletic ability is required for any of the events! Additionally, we will be selling tickets to our Christmas party at the GM; more info on that soon. So come out and enjoy your hot-blooded youth at our November GM!

[Nov 25] UTAMA Studio Perler Bead Workshop

On Wednesday, November 25 from 5-7PM, learn to make some real life sprite art! UTAMA Studio will be hosting a perler bead workshop in 21 Sussex room 503 -- beads and simple anime-inspired patterns will be provided, and Mackenzie will even help you create your own designs! Come out to enjoy a nice small event before the GM this Friday. Hope to see you there!

[Nov 13] UTAMA MoMo Presents: Tekkon Kinkreet

Ready for another arthouse anime film? This month's will be Michael Arias' 2006 work, Tekkon Kinkreet, based on the manga of the same name by Taiyo Matsumoto (Ping-Pong, Sunny). The screening will be held on Friday, November 13th at 5PM at WO35 and will be shown with its English dub. And, as always, it will be preceded by a short talk about the film's production. See you there!

[Nov 10] UTAMA Escapes the Room

It's time for Fall Break, and with it another chance to come out with UTAMA and have some fun! On Tuesday, November 10 at 4PM, join us at The Riddle Room at 579 Yonge Street (second floor) for some board games and a room escape! There's no cover charge for board games, so you can play to your heart's content, and The Riddle Room even has food and drinks for you to indulge in. So come out to our board game night and make some new friends -- or lose some old ones. We know how board games usually go; we won't tell anyone your plans!

[Oct 30] UTAMA After Dark

Was the GM not spooky enough for you? Or do you just like coming out to UTAMA events? Have no fear (in spite of the season), and come out to UTAMA After Dark. On Friday, October 30th at 8PM, come out to our club room at 21 Sussex Ave., Room 532 for a late night of fun with your friends. Play games, chat, and maybe even tell a scary story or two. Prior to the club room hangout, we'll be going for dinner at a location TBA -- keep an eye on the Facebook group for updates!

Whether you wanna join us for a nice meal, a hangout with your friends, or both, be sure to come out and celebrate Halloween with UTAMA!

[Oct 23] UTAMA's October GM Spook-tacular

It's that time of year again -- come out to UTAMA's October GM for some trick-or-treating fun! To mark the special occasion that is Halloween, we'll be collaborating with Rhythm Gamers at Ryerson to bring you some rhythm gaming entertainment. From 6-9PM on October 23rd, stations will be set up across both our rooms (OISE 2295 and 2296) where you can participate in various activities. Completing any given station will garner you some sweets, and just will just be fun anyway! And, of course, cosplay is not necessary, but more than welcome. We hope to see you there for a happy Hallo-weeb!

[Oct 9] Light Music Club Orientation

The time has come -- UTAMA's Light Music Club is making its grand debut for the 2015-2016 school year! On Friday, October 9th, starting at 6:30PM, join your fellow musicians in OISE 5150 to discuss your LMC plans for the school year. Hang out, jam, and above all, have fun!

As our trusty Music Director would say, "Let's けいおん！"

[Oct 9] UTAMA Studio Draw Meet

Like to draw? Or just to have fun and meet new people? On Friday, October 9th from 4-6PM in OISE 2289, join UTAMA Studio to hang out, make friends, and play a fun round of Exquisite Corpse! Hope to see you there!

[Oct 2] The First 2015-2016 Cosplay Meeting

Following October's UTAMA MoMo, from 6-8PM in OISE 2289, join us for our first cosplay discussion of the year! Make some new friends, discuss cosplay ideas, and maybe even get some tips from cosplay experts. Come out and join UTAMA's cosplay community!

[Oct 2] UTAMA MoMo Presents: The Castle of Cagliostro

Introducing our monthly film screenings: UTAMA Monthly Movies -- or UTAMA MoMo! The goal of these screenings is to get you, as an anime fan, outside of your comfort zone and watch stuff you may never have even heard of. First up is Hayao Miyazaki's first theatrical feature, the 1979 film The Castle of Cagliostro; a spinoff of the popular Lupin III franchise. The screening will be held from 4-6PM in AB107, preceded by a short talk about the film and its production, and will be screened dubbed. Be sure to come out and watch some arthouse anime!

[Sept 25] UTAMA's First 2015-2016 General Meeting!

The moment you've all been waiting for is just around the corner! On Friday, September 25th at 6PM, join us at OISE Room 2212 for our first general meeting of the 2015-2016 school year!

Entrance to club activities requires a membership -- half a year will cost you $7 and gain you a membership card for the semester you've purchased for; a full year will run you $10 and net you both semesters' cards (each with different artwork!) and a brand new keychain. If you wanna skip the line at the GM, office hours will be posted soon, so just drop by Room 532 at 21 Sussex at any of the listed times and get your membership out of the way early.

"But what might be happening at this first event of the year," you may ask. Well, wonder no further: we'll have icebreakers, video games, board games, snacks, and best of all, a raffle where you can win a figure! Stay tuned to the Facebook group for any updates or changes in the coming days, and be sure to come out to our first GM to see what UTAMA is all about!

[Sept 9] UTAMA at the 2015-2016 U of T Club Fair

New to U of T and love anime? Or have you been here for awhile and were just to shy to check out UTAMA? No need to worry -- UTAMA's gonna be at this year's U of T Club Fair! Come out on September 9th anytime from 10AM-3PM and check out what UTAMA has to offer. Meet the execs, find out about our events, and maybe get some cool freebies too! Start off your school year right; hope to see you there!

[Aug 30] CNE Trip

For UTAMA's last big summer event, we're doing something special. Get ready for fun, food, and games as UTAMA goes to the CNE! You will be responsible for purchasing your own ticket in advance, and U of T students can get them at a discounted rate through UTSU -- see the Facebook event page for details.

What better way to celebrate the end of summer than something like this? Get ready to have fun!

[Aug 28] UTAMA Double Feature

On Friday, August 28, come out to Woodsworth Residence Room 20 for a couple of last movies for the summer! We'll be screening Lupin III: The Gravestone of Daisuke Jigen and Mushi-Shi: Bell Drops. Neither film requires any prior knowledge of their respective series to enjoy; in fact, they serve well as introductions to their franchises! Come relax with your friends with two more movies before the school year starts. See you there!

[Aug 8] Dinner and a Movie -- Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F

One of the most sinister villains in shounen history returns -- celebrate his resurrection with UTAMA!

On Saturday, August 8th, we'll be heading to the Queensway Cineplex theatres to catch a special screening of Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F! The screening starts at 12:55PM and following that, we'll be heading downtown to Raijin Ramen for dinner. Come join your friends at UTAMA for a day of food, fun, and destruction!

Please keep an eye on the Facebook group for updates on the meetup time and specifics!

[July 31] UTAMA Studio: Kirigami Workshop

Presenting a UTAMA Studio workshop -- one that teaches you how to craft kirigami! Come to the club room, Room 532 in 21 Sussex Ave., at 2PM on July 31st and learn to make flowers out of nothing but paper. Supplies will be provided, but it's encouraged to bring a pair of scissors in case there aren't enough to go around. Be sure to come out to the kirigami workshop and make some beautiful summer decorations!

The Big Directory of July 2015 UTAMA Events

The birds are chirping, the sun is beaming, and a new season of anime has begun -- summer is finally here! With a new month comes a whole new set of UTAMA events, and July is looking pretty packed. Here's what your exec team has planned for you this month:

[July 9] Karaoke Night -- Join us at BMB Karaoke at Bathurst and Bloor from 6PM-8PM for a couple of hours of ear-splitting fun. Rock out to your favourite songs with some friends, whether you're into weeb stuff or Linkin Park -- we won't judge!

[July 17] UTAMA Presents: Only Yesterday -- Come out to WO20 at 6PM for a very special screening of Takahata's masterpiece, Only Yesterday! Enjoy a movie that's sure to make you feel like a kid again and the confused adult you are!

[July 26] UTAMA: The Beach Episode -- By popular demand, UTAMA is getting its very own beach episode! Come out for some fun events, a potluck, and wacky beach hijinks! Details to follow in the coming weeks!

Be sure to RSVP to each individual event on Facebook and come join us for some fun under the sun! Hope to see you there!

[June 19] UTAMA Club Room Grand Re-Opening and Manga Sale/Dinner and a Movie

Enjoying your summer? UTAMA's here to make it even better!

On June 19th, come check out our newly-furnished club room at 21 Sussex Ave., Room 532. Play video games, hang out with your friends, and while you're there, be sure to purchase some manga from our old collection! Due to the overwhelming amount of donations we've received over the years, we need to get rid of a few. Manga will be sold on a pay-what-you-want model, starting at 50 cents per volume. Be sure to follow our Facebook pages for more information!

After you're done getting acquainted with your new second home, how about dinner and a movie? We'll be heading from the office to WO20, on the corner of Bloor and St. George, for a special screening of One Piece: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island. There'll be a sandwich station set up along with chips and drinks.

Be sure to come out and support the club you love! See you there!

******* Important Election Notice *******

******* Important Election Notice *******

As a result of the availability of new information, some changes need to be made for our current election.

1. We must repeal the rule that candidates may be able to run for two positions. All candidates who have sent applications for two positions will be notified by email or Facebook, and ask that they choose one position.

2. We are re-opening applications on ALL positions until Thursday at 11:59 PM. In addition to this, we are repealing the rule that applicants running for President or Vice-President must be current executives. As such, all applicants will be valid to run for these positions.

Please email all applications to utama.elections@gmail.com. All applicants must be a member of the U of T community. Applications require only your name and contact information.

We're deeply sorry about the unfortunate circumstances which have brought upon this sudden change and we have worked towards the best possible situation for all candidates. Thank you for your patience, and good luck.

[Apr 1] UTAMA: The Finale PRICE DROP

Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/654720361323082/
Hello everyone!!

Come join us for a night to END this FANTASTIC year!

☆~~ヾ(>▽<)ﾉ｡･☆

UTAMA: The Finale is a semi-formal concert event happening on April 1st (and it definitely isn't a joke!) at the Hart House Debate Room, featuring our wonderful Light Music Club!!

But these aren't just any ordinary performances-- from everything you've heard and more, the Light Music Club will display it all in a wonderful compilation concert to dance and mingle to!!

We've heard your feedback, and your voices have been heard! UTAMA: The Finale will have MORE FOOD, MORE MUSIC, and MORE FUN!!

YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS!!

ヾ(ﾟ∀ﾟ○)ﾂ三ヾ(●ﾟ∀ﾟ)ﾉ <(There will also be a cash bar!!)

Tickets go on sale A.S.A.P at our wonderful clubroom located on the 5th floor of 21 Sussex. We are limited in ticket numbers so GET YOUR TICKET NOW!

Prices:

$10 for admission$7 for LMC Performers

UTAMA Member: $15
LMC Performer: $15
Non-member: $20
At-the-door: $25

TL;DR: End of year semi-formal, many food, much performance, such HYPE!! BUY YOUR TICKET ASAP!!!

キタ━━━━━(゜∀゜)━━━━━━━!!!!!!!!

[Mar 27] March GM: Blast to the Past

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1014962811865995/1014963908532552/

Friday March 27th - Rooms 2295 & 2296 @ 4PM - 10PM

What better way to celebrate UTAMA’s last General Meeting of our 10th year than a blast to the past? Probably better ways but this is what we’re doing.

•·.·´`·.·•·.·´`·.·•·.·´`·.·•·.·´`·.·•

THIS MEETING WE’VE GOT:

ANIME(!?) - Fresh from early 2000s, just the way you like em: dubbed and censored & Digimon The Movie
GAMES - Pokemon Stadium 2, Smash 64, GoldenEye 007, Mario Kart 64. If you’ve got controllers (or a TV!) you’re willing to lend us for the day, let us know!
KARAOKE - Nostalgia stuff!

~ ELECTIONS ~ - We while we decide who our next team for 2015-2016 will be. Good luck to all the candidates which will be announced closer to the date!
More info here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/25503707498/permalink/10152786698502499/

•·.·´`·.·•·.·´`·.·•·.·´`·.·•·.·´`·.·•


Here’s the rough schedule
ROOM ONE (2295)
5 PM - Digimon: The Movie (2000)
7 PM - ELECTIONS
8:30PM - Karaoke
*Lights will be on. You’re encouraged to sing along to anything and everything.

ROOM TWO: ANIME + GAMES (2296)
4 PM - Anime (TBA)
7 PM - ELECTIONS
8:30 PM - Anime (TBA)
10 PM - Election results announced

~ [Due Mar 23] 2015-2016 Exec Elections ~

Out with the old, in with the new! UTAMA will be having the election for the new 2015-2016 executive team at the March Meeting! Each candidate is allowed to give a one-minute speech at the meeting (except for President candidates, who will get 2 minutes).
The positions available for every member to run for:

Treasurer
Events Coordinator
Communications Director
Secretary
Technical Director
Cosplay Director (new!)

Current execs may also run for:
President
Vice President, Internal
Vice President, External
The form for President and VPs will be posted at a later date for execs to see!

All applicants can run for up to a maximum of 2 positions. All those interested should send in an application to utama.elections@gmail.com before March 23, 2015.

Click for position descriptions and the APPLICATION FORM! >>>
https://docs.google.com/…/1GecurLq8EBHRnAdaRAEFZaIUcH…/edit…

Good luck to all!

[Mar 13] UTAMA-CON! UPDATED!

This will be located at OISE 2198, 2199, 2281, 2286
From 4PM to 10PM on March 13!

Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/583287905141474

What more can be said? This is an ambitious event that'll cater to hopefully everyone in UTAMA.



On Friday March the 13th, we'll be taking over a section of OISE to host a dozen awesome things for you guys to have fun with.

The UTAMA-KO Market (Room 2281)
Register with UTAMA to get a table where you can sell just about anything from art to games, manga to anime. Our very own art director will be taking the lead with this.

The Gaming Tournament (Return of the Brackets of Hell) (Room 2199)
Han will be taking charge with the gaming tournaments - Smash 4, and maybe Mario Kart? Even if you're not into the competitive scene, there will be a ton of other games to try out. ($2 entry, amiibo prize) Rhythm Gamer's at Ryerson will be laying down the beat with a healthy helping of Rhythm Games.

The Cafe (Room 2281) and The Light Music Club (Room 2286 @ 7:30PM)
This will be headed by Max and yours truly. Check it out for some cookies, crepes, cheesecake and more! While you kick back and relax, LMC will be laying down some sick beats. It's not something you should miss.

RGAR @ Room 2286

Panels and Screenings
There will be three panels and three hour-long anime screenings. If you ever wanted to give hosting a shot, this is your chance!


---
UPDATE 1: We shall be moving UTAMA-Con to Friday, March the 13th to accommodate for ourselves and other clubs joining us.

With this being said, we are happy to announce:
* Rhythm Gamers at Ryerson shall be lending their assistance to this event, once again
* GAMA (OCAD's anime and gaming club) will be attending this event.
* Invitations have also been extended to U of T Mississauga Anime, YAMA (York's anime club), and Ryerson's Anime Club.
---


I shall be giving more updates as they occur. Additional info will be included in subsequent posts. Look forward to this!

Admission will be:
* Utama members, flash your keychain/card
* $3 for everyone else

[Feb 26] UTAMA Plays: Hatoful Boyfriend

Date: Thursday February 26 5-9 PM
Place: Sidney Smith Room 2111
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/786298934752613/

Get ready for an event of birdemic proportions! We will be flocking together to play through this grouse-ly popular dating sim together as the ultimate tribute for the month of love.
-------------------------------------------------
As this is a group reading, we will take turns with reading certain parts, and group consensus will determine choices. As we may not get a chance to fully complete a game, if there is enough interest, it may be continued until another time.
-----------------------------------------------
In the off chance you get peckish, it is strongly encouraged to bring nourishing bird food: nuggets, wings, seeds, breadcrumbs of the sort, not to mention something to wet your beak with too.

So come and get lovey-dovey, you won't egret it~♥

[Feb 25] Figure Collecting Panel

Wednesday February 25 @ 5PM

Sidney Smith 2114

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/786298934752613/

A panel where you can learn about types of anime figures, where to buy figures, spotting bootlegs and more! Also a general gathering of like-minded people who can cry about lack of money and all these new figures coming out! :')

Hosted by Meghan and Mendy

It's highly welcome for y'all to bring your own anime figures to the panel. Meghan and Mendy will be! :D

[Feb 27 Noon] Tamako: Love Story Screening

February 27th @ 2PM - 4PM
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1594675354095847/

Location at Rotman Room 142

PV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKiEkuuSZx4
MAL: http://myanimelist.net/anime/21647/Tamako_Love_Story

This movie is a sequel to the Kyoto Animation anime Tamako Market. It seems you don't need to have watched Tamako Market to enjoy Love Story, but I'd recommend you watch it anyway to get the full experience before watching the movie! It's 12 episodes long.

[Feb 27 Evening] February GM

Friday February 27th 5PM - 9PM
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1544388252501242/

Check back soon for details!

CANDY GRAMS

Ever want the execs to do something ridiculous while delivering a bag of candy? Whether you did or not, we’re doing it. February GM has candy grams! $2 gets you:

1) Bag of assorted candies + home baked cookies

2) Customized anime-themed Valentine’s card (not guaranteed to be funny, but guaranteed to have effort)

3) Customized method of delivery. (optional)
This means you can request any exec(s) to do anything you want to get this bag of candy delivered to you OR someone else! It can be big or small, but feel free to get creative. Keep it PG. Execs can deny any request if it’s unfeasible or too much.

==============

Deliveries can be placed at office hours! We only have a limited number of baggies, so get on it!
ORDERS LIMITED TO TWO PER PERSON.
PLEASE HAVE TOP 3 DELIVERY METHODS WITH DIFFERENT EXECS, JUST IN CASE!
Make sure the recipient (you or otherwise) will be AT THE GENERAL MEETING (27th) so we can find them!

KARAOKE

Speaks for itself ;) Get ready to sing your heart out.

[Jan 30] LMC Smash Tournament & Rhythm Gamers @ Ryerson Fundraiser

Date: Friday Jan 30
Time: 5PM - 10PM
Place: OISE 2295, 2296

What's good, everybody. 

The UTAMA Light Music Club will hold a special collaborative fundraiser event with Rhythm Gamers At Ryerson! All funds will go towards the Light Music Club so that we can hold more fun events in the future! Come on down for a fun night of rhythm games and Smash and show your support! Rhythm games include osu!!, Project Diva, Beatmania IIDX and many more! 

Our featured event will be a Super Smash Bros. for Wii U tournament wherein contestants will be able to compete for the grand prize: Racing Miku 2011 Premium Figure! For the shockingly low cost of 2 dollars, you can fight to see who is the best at Super Smash Bros for Miku! Controllers will be provided, but feel free to bring your own!

General Admission: $3
Entry to Tourney: $2

There will also be a small bake sale so please contribute to the Light Music Club by purchasing some goodies!

The Prize

UTAMA LMC: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1413062598924642/

Rhythm Gamers At Ryerson: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RyersonRhythmGameClub/

UTAMA Steam Group launched!

We've launched our official steam group!

http://steamcommunity.com/groups/UTAMA

If you've got a steam account, come join us for gaming discussions, finding other UTAMA members to play video games with, and whatever else you do in a steam group.

[Jan 24] Otaku Orientation Part 2

Date: Saturday January 24th
Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/329701500563464/

Stephen says:

Given the awesome turnout of our first orientation event, we've decided to expand on the stuff we did during the first. 

We'll be meeting up at about 11:00 a.m. at Spadina; we'll be leaving at 11:30 a.m. for Pacific Mall. After chilling out at P-mall for a bit, we'll head downtown and checkout some shops along Yonge like Silver Snail, Hairy T and 401 Games.

It's going to be the warmest day of the week, but we can expect some bits of (possibly wet) snow. Dress well and make sure you guys are ok for walking.

Look forward to this!

***Try to coordinate with peeps to make use of the weekend day pass (covers 2 adults and at least 3 people under 19 iirc, for $11)

[Jan 23] Shoujo vs Yaoi Panel

Date: Friday January 23rd, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Location: Sid Smith. Room TBA

A discussion panel about two genres whose characteristics often intersect and are directed towards the same audience. We'll be talking about tropes, using examples and debating their positions in the anime industry. Nothing nsfw will actually be shown! Come, bring your friends, it's an excuse to talk about shoujo and yaoi, what more reason do you need? ;)

hosted by Mendy and Bashir!

Anime North 2015 Information Session

THE DEADLINE FOR REGISTERING WITH US IS NOW CLOSED

We are having an information session on Thursday January 15th, 6PM in OISE 2198.

Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1410720249221461

"For those unfamiliar with Anime North, I will be discussing a general outline of what to expect at this convention, as well as general convention tips. 

If anyone has any particular questions they would like covered, please let me know ahead of time here so I can prepare."

How to Pre-Reg With UTAMA

For a weekend pass (May 22-24, Fri-Sun), you can save $5 by pre-registering with UTAMA.
Bring $55 to any of our office hours, and give us a valid e-mail you will check, and your name.

We will pick it up on Thursday and probably go down as a group on Friday to the con where you can pick up your tickets.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You aren't obligated to stay with us at all, but we can always just hang out and chill. Have fun! E-mail us or let us know on Facebook if you have any concerns.

MORE INFO SOON!

All registration information can be found here.

More information on UTAMA's 2013 and 2014 Anime North meet can be found here (although there isn't much).

[Jan 16] January GM WITH FOLD!

Date: Friday January 16th

Time: 5PM - 9PM

Location: OISE, right next to St George Station [Click Here To Open Google Maps]

Rooms: 2286, 2295, 2296

Tons of stuff is happening this meeting!

5:00 - 5:45 - Screening Barakamon

5:45 - 6:30 - Screening Yuki Yuna wa Yusha de Aru

7:00 - 7:30 - Elections for our 2015 Lower Year Representative. Voting will happen over the course of the rest of the meeting.

7:30 - 8:30 - Screening Japan Animator's Expo shorts (Please be aware, some content is NSFW)

8:30 - 9:00 - Light Music Club Performance

We will probably fall behind schedule.

Inter-club Meeting with F.O.L.D., U of T's Origami Club

FOLD (Fly with Origami, Learn to Dream) are our dear clubhouse roommates and every year, we have this interclub meeting! Come fold origami with us.

Anime Being Screened