Blogging Community Goes Sour

Posted by Neko Kyou in Rants on March 31st, 2008

You have been Geassed

Behind every large organisation lies an evil, twisted man?

Have you ever wondered, what goes on behind the scenes of an anime blog, and perhaps any other blog around? There’s really more to it than just simply setting up a blog, start typing whatever that’s on your mind and post it up within the next 10 minutes. Maintaining a blog is much more than simply coming out with a new post whenever you feel like it.

If you’re a blogger yourself, you would probably know what I’m talking about. It’s not easy to come up with a new topic to blog about every other day, especially when you’re in a tight niche like anime. There are thousands of other anime blogs, sites and forums around to announce the latest breaking news, and these news travels fast.

And there are only that much of original content and ideas (which really aren’t all that original anymore) that any single person can come up with every once in a while. Bloggers on team or multiple author blogs such as THAT Anime Blog would have less pressure since there are more heads to think and discuss over ideas for a new post.

However, those who are running a one person show would have a harder time to come up with new ideas regularly. That’s why most anime bloggers feature at least one episode review post weekly. This way, there would always be something to blog about each week, albeit a bit time consuming and could sometimes become a hassle, especially when the series starts to take a down turn *cough*firsthalfofshana2*cough*

That was probably one of the reasons why Owen started the Anime Blogging Collective, or simply the A.B.C. More heads are always better than one, and those in the group could easily discuss about topics and ideas to blog about, either individually or for the most part, as a group. It’s always fun and satisfying, especially when it turns out well, such as during the 12 Days of Christmas, anime style.

And that was the main reason I joined the A.B.C., a little before the discussions for the 12 Days of Christmas postings started. It was my first time participating in something like this, so it was really fun and exciting. However, if you’ve noticed, there hasn’t been much (or any) activities for nearly 4 months since then.

All Hail the Anime Blogger Collective!

There has been discussions, one of which was for Valentines, but efforts and enthusiasm were hampered over and over again. It doesn’t help that our president (Owen) never really participated much to help coordinate the group, but expects others to do so and starts hammering down on you if you don’t. Shirukii already posted that particular announcement from Owen up along with a rebuttal.

Since I’m still quite new in the A.B.C., I’ve only joined in with the 12 days of Christmas joint blogging, but I recalled being disappointed and unimpressed by the fact that Owen mysteriously disappeared and dropped off after around the 3rd or 4th day without saying a word for the next couple of weeks.

Whenever he does post, however, he often only interacted with a select few others, who I’m guessing as those he deemed “worthy enough” of his attention. Everyone else gets to eat dust. He doesn’t respect opinions of the non-elite, even going as far as to kick and ban CJ from the group without warning, just for refusing to watch Clannad and True Tears. And from what DS has mentioned, Owen’s behaviour isn’t just confined to within just the Google group and emails, but also in MAL. Even usagijen, who once defended Owen, has decided that he had crossed the line this time.

There has been too much pressure and plenty of flaming going within the A.B.C. lately. Rather than being the productive group it was meant to be, aiding fellow bloggers to come up with new and interesting ideas to bring to the anime community in general, it has been doing just the opposite. It brought me down so much just thinking about it that I’ve not had any motivation to come up with anything new other than episode reviews on Clannad.

I can't take this anymore...

We’ve had enough of this shit…

Which is why I came up with this very ranty post. I’ve had enough, and decided that while I enjoyed myself in the companies of the other bloggers, the A.B.C. is not for me and will officially be leaving the group effective immediately.

Nuf’ said.

**Update: ABC Stands for April’s Blogger Conspiracy

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Clannad Episode 23 (Extra) Mei-chan FTW!

Posted by Neko Kyou in Clannad on March 30th, 2008

Extra: What Happened Over Summer Vacation

Clannad Episode 23 Extra

Rating: 9/10

OMGROFLMAO~

This episode is just full of laughs with Mei around to really mess things up. I’ve come to a conclusion that Mei is a lot funnier than her brother, at the same time a whole lot brighter and tactful too.

Shh!

That has gotta hurt…

Probably said this a thousand times before, but Nagisa is too honest for her own good. Tomoya probably thought he did the right thing to stop her from blurting out everything like that, but his actions is speaking a lot louder than what Nagisa’s word would have IMO.

Tomoya VS Kyou, Round 2

Rawr…

Which Clannad fan wouldn’t love to see Tomoya and Kyou taking it all out against each other, or even doing a tag team on Sunohara. Unfortunately, neither happened and chances are slim that it would happen in After Story either.

Kyou evil grin

There’s just something about this screenshot that feels so evil…

Mei is back!

Does Mei have metal teeth or something?

Mei is really good at deceiving people while at the same time being honest. She is probably the one and only person alive able to speak the truth about Sanae’s bread while making her think she did really well. A far cry from her poor excuse of a brother.

Mei is evil!

Nyeh heh heh…

For such a young kid, she can get dirty and be such a devil. I’m surprised Akio did not question how she did it instead of wondering how Sanae’s bun were sold out. If Akio ever finds out, I have a feeling he’s going to be using that technique a lot more frequently to the dismay of everyone else in the house.

Incest turns Tomoya on

The joys of youth… and incest…

Tomoya gets turned on by a cat

“Im getting turned on by a cat!”

Tomoya is right. He’s probably stayed in Nagisa’s house for way too long and is being influenced by Akio’s wild imaginations. The guy gets turned on by imagining Sunohara and Mei’s incestuous relationship, getting so excited in front of Mei herself.

Anyone else noticed how he loves talking to the cat?

Tomoya silly expression

Split second facial expression change rofl

Nagisa actually listened to a kid and trying to be proactive for Tomoya is just epic. I’ve completely forgotten that Nagisa is a year older than Tomoya.

Nagisa blows...

“Haaa….”

That was one disappointing scene. Poor Tomoya… It’s times like these I wonder what’s really going on in Nagisa’s head. I’m sure Tomoya does, as well.

Tomoya & Nagisa

Finally!

Tomoya and Nagisa together is just so sweet, I was almost certain that I was about to get cavities like no tomorrow.

There has been minor bumps along the way, and there’s still the issues with Fuko and the girl in the tale, but overall Clannad has been AWESOME for me and I can’t wait to get my hands on the HD releases (yes, you greedy publishers. I want to buy your DVDs and that’s because I watched fansubs!) and Clannad After Story. Word is that we might get to see After Story as soon as Fall season.

Tomoya & Nagisa

To be continued in After Story…

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Shakugan no Shana II Episode 16

Posted by khilly in Shakugan no Shana on March 30th, 2008

Everlasting Love

Rating: 7/10

Shakugan no Shana II Episode 16

After much excitement from the previous episodes, a chapter of the story closes it’s door and the school festival ended with it. Konoe’s existence was erased from the world and left only memories behind for our heroes. Bal Masqué’s plan was only executed partially, it seem to made no difference to the greater goal they aim to achieve.

Shakugan no Shana II Episode 16

Kazumi broods over the Hougu that was given by Pheles. A Hougu that summons Pheles but at the price that the user’s power of existance will be depleted. For what reasons would Pheles pick her as sacrifice and will Kazumi use it when the time is right. Meanwhile Margery found out that not only the Reiji Maigo has been sealed, a transmitter like spell was implanted with it. Not to mention Johan never strikes me as a Mystes that is able to manipulate spell insignia. As Misaki city might have a trait of being a Maelstrom of Warfare, conflict will never cease to exist.

Yuji’s father takes his leave again unknowing the burden his son have now. Kazumi also has to face the hurdle of being a normal human being in the fight of Demon and Gods. She is also losing in the love fight due to the same differences between her and Yuji. But her eyes was full with determination to stand on the same level with Yuji. Everyone has picked their own road to travel let it be filled with flowers or rocks while fate slowly letting all these roads to meet and cross with each other.

Yuji should have learned kendo

My sword is bigger than yours!

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Clannad Episode 22 (The end?)

Posted by Neko Kyou in Clannad on March 28th, 2008

Two Shadows

Clannad Episode 22

Rating: 8/10

This episode wasn’t as bad as I thought it would. Was actually expecting something bad from some of the comments I’ve heard, but it turned out pretty good. Me likes it!

Clannad Episode 22

Others might think otherwise, but I like how Nagisa’s mind seems to wander in and out of depression. She’s obviously devastated at what she found out and it really shows, and even though it’s done weakly, tries very hard to smile in front of everyone. Not to mention Akio as Ceaser is just so in-character for him lol

Tomoya also shows that he has a lot of trust in Nagisa by trying his best not to pull down the curtains even though he was pressured by the others who were worried.

Sunohara with boobs!

Is it just me, or did Sunohara grew boobs?

Again, some people seem to hate how Tomoya made his confession at the very end, while personally I find that the buildup is just nice and the scene was executed incredibly well. Many series actually does this (although none actually comes to mind right now) and I recalled some was done kinda poorly, but Clannad managed to pull it off magnificently. My one and only complain is that they pretty much skipped the entire date, showing only a few seconds worth of screen time! The effect of the confession would have been much, much better if KyoAni had dedicated more time towards the date itself following up to the final moment.

Clannad Party

Clannad After Season has been announced! While it would be mainly focusing on Nagisa, the other girls will definitely make their appearances, and I’m especially curious about what happens to Kyou and Tomoyo 😀

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Naruto Shippuuden 49

Posted by minerj in Naruto on March 25th, 2008

Something important

Rating: 7.0/10

Naruto Shippuuden 49 Screenshot

As a whole, this episode is about Sai’s change of heart. After listening to Naruto’s reasons to save Sasuke, Sai is able to relate his relationship with his brother. Thus, to be able to witness or experience such feeling is an opportunity for him once again. So, despite being saved by Kabuto, Sai decides to be on the good side.

Kabuto is in a pickle when he has to fight with three people at once. To make matter worse, Sai changes his allegiance. So, it is quite obvious that Kabuto gets captured. Being a hostage, Yamato interrogates Kabuto to reveal Sasuke’s location in the hideout. Kabuto willingly gives some tips as far as he knows. Even he does not the real location of Sasuke at the moment. All he knows that Sasuke is currently studying with Orochimaru.

Naruto Shippuuden 49 Screenshot

So without wasting anymore valuable time, Team Kakashi heads out to search for Sasuke. The team splits up into two groups. One team contains Yamato and Sakura while the other consists of Naruto and Sai. So, room by room they search until the end of the episode while having flashbacks of their Sasuke when they were younger.

Naruto Shippuuden 49 Screenshot

“Kabuto, meet my friend.. Me!”

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