Site abandoned?

[Bear Logan]

Whatever happened to this site? They just seem to have stopped updating it.

[A-R@D]

Forums is still somewhat active, but true, I haven't seen a review posted in ages and haven't read a review that truly interested me for months. But, it has sort of been this way since many of the main reviewers left.

[Barrelhaven]

Yeah, as a review site, this place is hardly relevant anymore. The forums are still sorta kicking though.

But, it has sort of been this way since many of the main reviewers left.

Well, there's supposedly still 7 'professors' around (as listed on the site), but I'd say maybe about 1 or 2 of 'em are actually active.

[Mugs]

Quite frankly not sure where everyone is but no one is writing reviews atm that much is for sure.

[General Suburbia]

Anime's not as cool as it used to be.

[Ender]

Ara ra,

The standard answer would be "life gets in the way sometimes." I was 20, in college, and running an anime club when I first joined the Profs. I'm now 25, working a shitty job, and hitting at the same writer's block for some time now.

I never give up hope though. ^_^

[Illjwamh]

Hire a new prof or two. That might pick things up a bit.

[Phate]

Well, there's supposedly still 7 'professors' around (as listed on the site), but I'd say maybe about 1 or 2 of 'em are actually active.

This is what happens when you give 'em tenure.

[Bear Logan]

It's a shame that things have stopped as I've been coming here for years and it's sad to see it die a slow death. I know the pain of that crappy job and never having enough time in the day though. It sucks. -_-

You should write more Ender! You are one of my favourite reviewers. Just think of writing a review as sticking it to the man or something? :P

Anime's not as cool as it used to be.

Argh! Albeit there will never be a cooler character than Vash there is surely still room in your heart for more peace signs.

[sohryu]

RIP Anime Academy

Just let it die. The forums aren't even fun anymore because a certain mod *cough not even a mod just a prof with power COUGH* keeps deleting any posts that cause conflict. Retarded IF you ask me. (capslocked the "if" for any queers that say LOL NO ONE ASKED YOU)

Goodbye, AA. Thanks for giving me the chance to meet the irc bots I know and love. :love:

[Dirty Harry]

The forums aren't even fun anymore because a certain mod *cough not even a mod just a prof with power COUGH* keeps deleting any posts that cause conflict.

Yeah, 2-20 is sort of a dick.

[Two-twenty]

Yeah, that life thing sure does suck sometimes. Especially when you're a self-supporting part-time uni student with a tonne of debt to pay off, a tonne of hours at a soul-sucking job to pay off said debt, and a few massive future-determining assignments to finish.

Luckily, that's 99% subsided now, and starting next week I plan to kick it into review mode. There's also something new that I'm organising at the moment, so look out.

The AA is looking pretty bad at the moment, but it's not because we've lost our passion for it (well, not everyone) but rather because we simply have not had the time.

The forums aren't even fun anymore because a certain mod *cough not even a mod just a prof with power COUGH* keeps deleting any posts that cause conflict
Yeah, 2-20 is sort of a dick.
Oh come on! I've dished out a warning or two based on complaints from other members and I haven't deleted any posts in ages, and those that I have have been spam bots. Ease up.

[Dirty Harry]

Oh come on! I've dished out a warning or two based on complaints from other members and I haven't deleted any posts in ages, and those that I have have been spam bots. Ease up.

There has to be a scapegoat, guy. It can't be our fault for not creating intelligent discussion and making worthwhile posts. So we'll just use the tried and true "the mods are Nazis" excuse.

Nazis? Us? No way!

[Roark]

RIP Anime Academy

Just let it die. The forums aren't even fun anymore because a certain mod *cough not even a mod just a prof with power COUGH* keeps deleting any posts that cause conflict. Retarded IF you ask me. (capslocked the "if" for any queers that say LOL NO ONE ASKED YOU)

Goodbye, AA. Thanks for giving me the chance to meet the irc bots I know and love. :love:
I'd like to go on record as saying that I didn't approve of the high profile bans that happened in the past few years.









Except Junko. That bitch was crazy.

[animanic_critic]

Is there somehow a need to alter the writing criteria for the reviewers? I'm not one, but I love to read reviews. That's why I joined AA two years ago in the first place. Is it due to the loss of that 'spark' for writing them or time constraints?

I am a worried member of the AA. I care, you see.

[LakiDash]

And every time I pop into IRC it appears to be dead as well. Note: Fellow chatters I used to talk to all the time, whatever happened? If there is some secret chat I'm missing out on, lemme in on the knowledge.

[Roark]

That one I soley attribute to graduating from college. I don't have time anymroe to sit around an IRC channel.

[Ender]

Ara ra,

And every time I pop into IRC it appears to be dead as well. Note: Fellow chatters I used to talk to all the time, whatever happened? If there is some secret chat I'm missing out on, lemme in on the knowledge.

This is the worst excuse I can think of, but it's very true: I have honestly forgotten how to login to IRC. Hey, when I said I wasn't computer saavy, that should give you all an idea. ^_^;

[Akuhei]

That one I soley attribute to graduating from college. I don't have time anymroe to sit around an IRC channel.

Yeah I kind of figured that's why #aa as well as the forums had become relatively inactive. A lot of the older members are... older/out of college and there hasn't been much of an influx in new members because the old members pretty much like... all know each other, it's a very intimidating community to become a part of. Especially for younger kids, and older people usually already know what forums they browse and stick to those.

[Phate]

Especially for younger kids, and older people usually already know what forums they browse and stick to those.
I'll have you know that I sometimes post outside of the Miscellaneous forum. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/Ph4t3/Emot/emot-colbert.gif

Mugs just needs to hire a new group of victims and make sure that they're all just starting college, and then the cycle will begin anew. Reviews will come in, new members will join, and our generation of posters will just fade away...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/Ph4t3/Emot/emot-corsair.gif

[Kuzu Ryu Sen]

I'll have you know that I sometimes post outside of the Miscellaneous forum. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/Ph4t3/Emot/emot-colbert.gif

Mugs just needs to hire a new group of victims and make sure that they're all just starting college, and then the cycle will begin anew. Reviews will come in, new members will join, and our generation of posters will just fade away...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/Ph4t3/Emot/emot-corsair.gif

To think I met you when you when you were 16.

[Phate]

To think I met you when you when you were 16.
15, actually.

Although I had some embarrassing discussions with you in some threads before AS so I'd say 14 works, too.

[Akuhei]

Yeah it feels weird that I joined so long ago, I never really got into the community that much except when I used IRC for like half a year. Nobody really seemed to like me so I stopped D;

But yeah, new reviewers to replace the old reviewers could probably help get this site back on the map, especially reviewing newer titles would help.

[Barrelhaven]

But yeah, new reviewers to replace the old reviewers could probably help get this site back on the map, especially reviewing newer titles would help.

I like the idea of bringing in new blood as well (there's some decent candidates in the Student Review Contests), but I'd prefer they focus more on reviewing older titles. There's more than enough blogs these days to fill you in on the latest shows, but it's rare to find someone who'd touch the older stuff.

[Roark]

I like the idea of bringing in new blood as well (there's some decent candidates in the Student Review Contests), but I'd prefer they focus more on reviewing older titles. There's more than enough blogs these days to fill you in on the latest shows, but it's rare to find someone who'd touch the older stuff.
Blogs are a big part of the problem, actually. A lot of anime fans nowadays just watch on YouTube, post on blogs/4chan, and get anything they want from AnimeSuki. By the time we review a "current" series, it's already old news.

Kinda sad, really. Moving to an old stuff only format could mitigate this, though. Plus, it'd give Mana and I a reason to finish Urusei Yatsura. Only 60 eps or so to go.

[Ender]

Ara ra,

Blogs are a big part of the problem, actually. A lot of anime fans nowadays just watch on YouTube, post on blogs/4chan, and get anything they want from AnimeSuki. By the time we review a "current" series, it's already old news.

Aye. However, to be completely blunt, a lot of those blogs are crap; a good many of them can't even seem to finish a series and prefer to just comment on an episode at a time. Hell, I've seen a lot of blogs/sites that say "man, episode 3 was awesome! this series is awesome!" only later to go, "man, episode 12 was disappointing. this series has gone to suck. too bad I have to drop this. lol."

There are only a few anime sites out there that actually write good reviews of whole anime from front to end. Anime Academy is one of them.

[Miki Koishikawa]

Man I barely log on anymore. I'm probably the youngest one to post on this one right now ha. But I joined 4 years ago and thought it was the best thing. Now I dunno I dont really talk or post anymore. I dont even really talk to anyone...I feel bad ha. I've been busy with school and all that jazz. The site does seem kinda....well dead. hopefully it'll get better with new reviewers like all of you said.

[Barrelhaven]

Ara ra,



Aye. However, to be completely blunt, a lot of those blogs are crap; a good many of them can't even seem to finish a series and prefer to just comment on an episode at a time. Hell, I've seen a lot of blogs/sites that say "man, episode 3 was awesome! this series is awesome!" only later to go, "man, episode 12 was disappointing. this series has gone to suck. too bad I have to drop this. lol."

There are only a few anime sites out there that actually write good reviews of whole anime from front to end. Anime Academy is one of them.

Yes, there are hordes of half-assed blogs that cook up crummy "reviews" like hotcakes. But, to be fair, there's also a good share of reputable sources that provide decent insight for the newer titles. You say only a "few" sites are capable of that, but exactly how many different sources do you need to read up on an anime in the first place before it gets redundant? I'm just saying it'd probably be time better spent if you guys focus on older titles that aren't already currently being over-analyzed by dozen others.

I wouldn't suggest excluding newer titles completely, but it's not like there's a dearth of anime prior to 2008 either.

[Phate]

Also, more staff who have really conflicting opinions on different anime would be interesting, too. Seeing Berserk get a 65% or something would be glorious.

[Akuhei]

Also, more staff who have really conflicting opinions on different anime would be interesting, too. Seeing Berserk get a 65% or something would be glorious.

Time 2 hire DH?

[Zero]

Seeing Berserk The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya get a 65% or something would be glorious.

Now that I could agree with. :)

[Dirty Harry]

Time 2 hire DH?

Lawl.

Escaflowne, Grave of the Fireflies, Fullmetal Alchemist, Great Teacher Onizuka, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, and Voices of a Distant Star would all be getting trashed.

MOTHER****ING TRASHED.

But I'm loyal to ANIME SECRETS **** YEA, AWESOME ANIME REVIEW SITES **** YEA, NOT AN OUTDATED CONCEPT AT ALL **** YEA.

EDIT: Plus, a 100 point scale is dumb as hell. >_>

[Kavik Ryx]

Also, more staff who have really conflicting opinions on different anime would be interesting, too. Seeing Berserk get a 65% or something would be glorious.

Eh, I'm already satisfied with Mana having given Chobits a 48.

BTW, what exactly are the excuses/reasons for the other professors here?

[Phate]

Eh, I'm already satisfied with Mana having given Chobits a 48.

BTW, what exactly are the excuses/reasons for the other professors here?

Taleweaver and SC are in their thirties and the others are in their early or mid-twenties, so I think they're all out of college. Which basically means that they are all in an age range where you generally are getting by devoting your time to a job so that you can pay your bills and live comfortably in Nowhere, USA (or Nirgendwo, Deutschland). If you had those responsibilities, plus friends and family and The Real Life in general, would you want to spend your free time volunteering watching anime and then reviewing it?

...

Then apply! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/Ph4t3/Emot/emot-buddy.gif

[C0MPL3X]

But didn't SC and Tale both apply at around 30?

[Phate]

Yes? I said that.

[C0MPL3X]

Then maybe the problem isn't teh realz life unless they had nothing to do at 30s (and i remember SC being pretty active when he was active)

*edit: yea A-r@d gets the point. Despite having to constantly work in the spin zone, most people still find time now and then to something they enjoy. Reviewing and watching cartoons not being as cool as it used to is probably more likely answer.

[A-R@D]

Yes? I said that.

which means at some point, they had the time to do that, despite their job and other responsibilities, so I doubt that is a valid excuse.

[Phate]

It's a perfectly fine excuse, if you ask me. Perhaps other things came up.

[Dirty Harry]

It's a perfectly fine excuse, if you ask me. Perhaps other things came up.

Hey, we should do a ****ing poll about it, because you know, it's soooooooo ****ing interesting.

Shit came up, they didn't want to do it anymore, WHO CARES. Pick one and MOVE ON WITH YOUR LIVES.

[C0MPL3X]

I pray for poor souls who are denied the pleasure of their hobbies for up to several months, just so that they can breathe and shit.

[Phate]

I think they probably have other hobbies besides reviewing.

[C0MPL3X]

I think that was my point. Thank you.

[Phate]

Well, it was kind of mine, too. But no matter, this is kind of trivial anyway.

[Dirty Harry]

Well, it was kind of mine, too. But no matter, this is kind of trivial anyway.

Calm down, Phate. I don't want this to escalate into a flame war. Do it again and I'll have to report you.

[Phate]

I'm seeking therapy regarding this at this very moment. Thank you for your time.

VVV Your comprehension is fine, but that also wasn't the only thing that I meant to be gotten out of that post. The age thing can still matter for the others, too. As for your last word, http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/Ph4t3/Emot/emot-argh.gif

I admit defeat. COMPLEX, you have won the match.

[C0MPL3X]

If you had those responsibilities, plus friends and family and The Real Life in general, would you want to spend your free time volunteering watching anime and then reviewing it?

...

Then apply!
The point we get from this is that they still wanted to spend their free time watching and reviewing.

Now they don't.

So all that age crap didn't really matter.

+1 last word ^_^

*edit: Thank you. But the path to internet arguing is long and harsh. I have a lot to master.

[Dirty Harry]

The point we get from this is that they still wanted to spend their free time watching and reviewing.

Now they don't.

So all that age crap didn't really matter.

+1 last word ^_^

Wow, looks like Phate bitched out. Grats C0mpl3x.

[Kuzu Ryu Sen]

Maybe anime just sucks now.

[Kavik Ryx]

Maybe anime just sucks now.

Even if all this decade has was crap (it had a lot but enough hits as well), there is still the '80s, the '90s and the late '90s. So, yeah...

[Kuzu Ryu Sen]

And you're telling me people working for this site haven't seen Cowboy Bebop yet?

[A-R@D]

Maybe anime just sucks now.

I don't know about that, since there are still plenty of titles from way-back that haven't been reviewed. Or, I guess I could take your comment literally, as in their opinion of Anime has changed in the last few years, which is understandable because Anime tends to get a bit formulaic after a while.

And you're telling me people working for this site haven't seen Cowboy Bebop yet?
I am trying to understand what meaning you are trying to get at with this comment. (Even if every reviewer has seen it, doesnt mean there aren't other anime that are worthy of being reviewed that professors have seen and have an itch to review)

[Dirty Harry]

maybe Anime Just Sucks Now.

Shut Your Filthy Whore Mouth.

Magical Maid Monster Catch Kuzumi-chan Was Magnificent.

*allcaps*

[Kuzu Ryu Sen]

Yep, better than WALL-E.

[Roark]

Actually, I think there's a kind of sine wave in regards to time available to devote to anime. Personally, my time decreased steadily as I went through college, upping a bit as I got a BS job right afterwards, then plunging again as I entered the real world, got a commute, and started having responsibilities like car payments, insurance, and what have you. Mana's in much of the same boat, except also going to school.

When he joined, it seemed like SC had a fairly stable job and an understanding wife that alotted him time to watch anime and the likes. I'm guessing that once I get into a real career, I'll see some time free up too, since I'll live closer to where I work, etc.

Also, I have had other interests eat up my time. Mana and I get precious few nights a week together, and we like to go out. I co-run a Star Wars RPG game right now, and that takes a lot of work. It eats up at least two Sundays a month, plus there's a lot of prep time involved. Seriously, making maps, villains, and doing general plotting can be a few hour-long phone conversations plus any time I spend doing my own thing. I also play a weekly Call of Cthulhu type game, so there goes more time. I've taken up biking as a way to combat my sedentary job. Mana's schedule means I do a lot of the housework and cooking; we don't just pop over to crappy food service meals anymore.

Anime shows are a rather big committment at times, between watching for the next release, finding the right sub, and sorting through crap to get to good stuff. Honestly, it's time we really don't have. That'll change later when things settle down more for us, I'm sure. But, that's a few years off.

Plus, the past few seasons really did suck, with a few exceptions. It still seems like a lot of the auters are gone though. I'd rather see fatally flawed but interesting series (Utena, Noir, Hamelin) than the crappy moe shit they push out lately. Everything looks bland, and computer animation just seems like an excuse to copy/paste the same character designs and color pallettes. Yuck.

[Zelkiiro]

If they just hired me, I'd give y'all reviews out the wazoo. ;)

[Barrelhaven]

Time 2 hire DH?

I think the idea is to put some intellectual content out there, not angry one-liners loaded with asterisks and CAPS.

[Akuhei]

I think the idea is to put some intellectual content out there, not angry one-liners loaded with asterisks and CAPS.

Well he seems to find it funny, I'm sure somebody else will.

[Barrelhaven]

I'm guessing that's probably not the point when it comes to reviews though.

[Ender]

Ara ra,

Roark pretty much hit the nail.

The jobs I've been working after college have all sucked, including the current one I'm working now. But I need something to pay off my loans. I've been trying to pursue my master's in writing for quite some time, but my job has pretty much stated that they'd fire me for pursuing "desires beyond the needs of the company." So, I've been chained to my desk for almost two years now, running off what seems like a back-up battery, that every time I try to write nothing comes to me.

Thankfully, after much coercing from my girlfriend, I've been accepting to a master's program in the Fall, and since I've waited so long to pursue this, I'm saying **** it all and am going full-time. Which means I'm quitting my job at the end of August. This will give me more time to do the stuff I love.

It's never been an "oh, I'm older so now I've moved away from anime" thing: my girlfriend is still very new to it, and she's always eager to watch any of the good, the bad, and the unwatchable. Hell, the other month I just plunked down to get the entire Gatchaman series, I just don't have the time to marathon it like I used to back when I first joined.

And for the record, if my reviews have proven anything, I'll still stick with a show no matter how bad it may be. ^_~

[KiraraKim]

And for the record, if my reviews have proven anything, I'll still stick with a show no matter how bad it may be.

That's for sure ever time I read your reviews I wonder how you can sit through so much you dislike just to review it. You should watch more stuff you enjoy. :)

Plus, the past few seasons really did suck, with a few exceptions. It still seems like a lot of the auters are gone though. I'd rather see fatally flawed but interesting series (Utena, Noir, Hamelin) than the crappy moe shit they push out lately. Everything looks bland, and computer animation just seems like an excuse to copy/paste the same character designs and color pallettes. Yuck.

It's just because you are not looking hard enough there were a lot of really good series that aired last year that I don't think you watched. I mean yes don't get me wrong the majority of series are crap but there are still diamonds in the rough. Just read through threads on the discussion board to see what everyone is talking about. Besides 90% of everything is crap, but there is still that 10%.

Anyways in the past when I was just getting into anime I found AA a valuable resource to find shows to watch because I really didn't know what was out there. Now I tend to be more interested in reviews of series I already watched just to see how it compares to my own thoughts. I usually decide what to watch based on what people are saying on message boards or blogs, especially if it is people whose opinion I respect. For a fan who has seen many series I am not sure how useful AA is anymore. However I still think it can be useful to a new fan (in fact I recommended the site to someone asking for anime recs the other day) so actually I would like to see the professors review more series (old and new) that they thought were really good that haven't been reviewed yet (especially if it is a good series that is not well known). Just to let more people know that this series is out there and it is really good.

[Ender]

Ara ra,

That's for sure ever time I read your reviews I wonder how you can sit through so much you dislike just to review it. You should watch more stuff you enjoy.

Remember one of our old mantras: we watch bad anime so you don't have to.

And who says I don't enjoy bad anime? I especially love tearing the ever living crap out of them. ^_~

[Illjwamh]

It is fun. Like your own personal MST 3K.

[animanic_critic]

I don't see how the anime of today sucking is a reason for the lack of reviews. I thought people write reviews mainly because they want the people to know how good/plain/bad the show is. If a show is great, one definitely would want to write about it. If it's horrible, one would definitely want to write about it too.

If shows became too plain, then maybe it's a valid reason. I just hope that either the veterans manage to find time and that passion once more, or we hire more professors. There have been some good anime that went "unreviewed".

[Milkymagic]

Sadly, because my own computer has been suffering some nasty problems, I'm using a relative's computer at the moment (visiting for the holidays), so I'll be gone until my problem is fixed or until I can buy another computer.

But to jump into the fray here, I've always been partial to 80s and 90s anime, I haven't seen a lot of the newer shows, but I am aware there's some gems out there from what I've heard. If professors have their hands tied up, that doesn't mean we can't have us some quality discussions! :D

I've also seen 5 Cm Per Second just a few days ago, and that was really good, and possibly better than Voices of a Distant Star in my opinion. Of course, I didn't like Place Promised in our Early Days much, and mostly because I didn't enjoy the sci-fi bits slammed into the sentimental story, so that certainly helped 5 Cm out a bit.

Also, I'm looking to watch Moon Phase and the second Appleseed movie as well, and I even want to pick up Welcome to NHK at some point too. Oh, and Gurren Lagann! ;) (I want to see it for myself, given I haven't enjoyed many of Gainax's shows since Mahoromatic).

I hope to see Mamoru Oshii's latest work, The Sky Crawlers (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=8269), sometime in the future. He's my favorite anime director, and it's still exciting to see he's still working in the anime industry.

As for past shows, oh yes, I definitely want to see the original Astro Boy TV series and Maison Ikkoku sometime, along with Yawara when Animeigo's first boxset is released. There's always anime I can just find and see for myself when it comes to the past!

And on a non-anime related note, I've been getting into Takeshi Miike's films as of late. I think Audition is a very good movie and urge some of the more daring folks out there to take a look at it! ;)

I hope to be back as late as August if my computer is indeed a lost cause, and I promise to whip out some good threads. So until then, it's time to brainstorm! :D

[C0MPL3X]

And on a non-anime related note, I've been getting into Takeshi Miike's films as of late. I think Audition is a very good movie and urge some of the more daring folks out there to take a look at it!
O god they'd have to be damn daring to stomach Audition.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a258/L4lN/kirkirkir.jpg?t=1214981953

[Zelkiiro]

i Don't See How The Anime Of Today Sucking Is A Reason For The Lack Of Reviews. I Thought People Write Reviews Mainly Because They Want The People To Know How Good/plain/bad The Show Is. If A Show Is Great, One Definitely Would Want To Write About It. If It's Horrible, One Would Definitely Want To Write About It Too.

If Shows Became Too Plain, Then Maybe It's A Valid Reason. I Just Hope That Either The Veterans Manage To Find Time And That Passion Once More, Or We Hire More Professors. There Have Been Some Good Anime That Went "unreviewed".
Memememememememememememememememememe.

[Roark]

I don't see how the anime of today sucking is a reason for the lack of reviews. I thought people write reviews mainly because they want the people to know how good/plain/bad the show is. If a show is great, one definitely would want to write about it. If it's horrible, one would definitely want to write about it too.

Stuff has to hold my interest long enough to get to that point. You can eat plain, raw tofu once to see what it tastes like. Reviewing 70 brands of plain, raw tofu gets to be a bit tedious, though.

[animanic_critic]

Memememememememememememememememememe.
What, I'm just trying to make a point >:3

Edit:
Nice sig. Sorry I couldn't make one for you.

[Curan]

I don't know about all the crap coming out. Yes alot of crap has been released in the past year, but recently I have been noticing an influx of quality anime. I myself have been getting into some of the brank new ones.

(Titles to come tonight)

(At work right now, and will edit this when I get home and can look at all the names so I dont destroy them ^.-)

[PsychoSaiya-jin]

Even though I normally like to shy away from the limelight and responsibility I do want to see this site continuing as strong as possible and wouldn't mind contributing. That is, if everyone doesn't mind.

For the good of the Academy, I can do that much ;)

[Illjwamh]

I wouldn't mind. I'd love to see more stuff on the site.

As long as we're volunteering our services, I wouldn't mind doing it either. In fact I think it would be fun.


Maybe another staff contest to compensate for professors who have other things going on in their lives?

[Ninja Realist]

This site went downhill because Anime did. You can only watch so much derivative crap before it all starts to look like the same thing.

Not only that but in that same time period US Live Action TV has gone through a new Renaissance spearheaded by shows like Deadwood, Weeds, and above all The Wire. Seriously, what anime series could ever compete with a show like The Wire?

[Shadowmage]

This site went downhill because Anime did. You can only watch so much derivative crap before it all starts to look like the same thing.
Interesting theory. I, however, found that 2007 was one of the strongest years I've seen for anime.

[KiraraKim]

Interesting theory. I, however, found that 2007 was one of the strongest years I've seen for anime.

I completely agree and half the series from 2007 weren't even reviewed. There still isn't a review for the Girl Who Leapt Through Time (from 2006) which is one of the best anime movies to come out in recent years.

I am getting tired of this "all anime sucks now and there were so many wonderful series in the past." I bet the ratio between good and bad stuff really hasn't changed that much. People just seem to forget the bad stuff from the past a lot more.

[Phate]

This site went downhill because Anime did. You can only watch so much derivative crap before it all starts to look like the same thing.
I'd say your cynical view on the current trend of anime is more due to you growing up and not being able to feel that spark again that you had when you were younger, rather than anime actually starting to suck now. I'm guessing this is because of nostalgia.

I'm glad we had this talk. My hourly fee is $150.

Seriously, what anime series could ever compete with a show like The Wire?
This, however, is accurate.

Monster could, by the way.

[Illjwamh]

I completely agree and half the series from 2007 weren't even reviewed. There still isn't a review for the Girl Who Leapt Through Time (from 2006) which is one of the best anime movies to come out in recent years.

I am getting tired of this "all anime sucks now and there were so many wonderful series in the past." I bet the ratio between good and bad stuff really hasn't changed that much. People just seem to forget the bad stuff from the past a lot more.



Exactly. The longer you've been into anime, the more you're going to see. The more you see, the more likely you are to see crap. If you're just getting into it, you're only going to watch the really good titles that everybody's talking about.

[isolatedotaku]

AA should just go the way of Manga Review, in terms of content and the forum.

...

It is so hard to make these jokes when NHRV is down (again.)

It is pretty sad to see the site that turned me into the fan I am today dwindle. Not that this sentiment hasn't been given already. I'll agree with some smarter people than I, hire new college students and re-start the cycle. Mugs (or 2-20, or whoever), you're in the white room full of TVs and a white-bearded Kain is giving you two options. Enter the door and reset the world or fly off and save Niner as he falls to his death.

[Barrelhaven]

Exactly. The longer you've been into anime, the more you're going to see. The more you see, the more likely you are to see crap. If you're just getting into it, you're only going to watch the really good titles that everybody's talking about.

I dunno, I sorta consider myself a 90s kid when it comes to anime, but even I have to admit '06 and '07 were some of the best years in its history.

The nostalgia factor may convince people it was better back in the day, but it still shouldn't blind them to the fact the recent years have also been quite good. My theory is that they're just ignorant.

[Illjwamh]

Well, I meant that as a general statement. If you're aware of that thought process, or just naturally don't think that way, then obviously it's not going to affect you.

I've been into anime for over a decade, and I too thought '07 was a great year. '06 wasn't half bad either.

[soundchazer]

I'd like to go on record as saying that I didn't approve of the high profile bans that happened in the past few years.









Except Junko. That bitch was crazy.

Ditto. As much flak as I took in the past, I probably only banned 1 or 2 people, who were not even contributors.

As for me not writing reviews? Fairly easy. I'm not watching that much anime anymore. The last year or so has for the most part been a barren wasteland in terms of quality... which is a cycle that anime goes through every 5 years or so.

Being that my family is now with me, and I have to make up for almost 3 years of separation, I have a different set of priorities. Quite frankly, at this point in time I do not have the time, energy, or maybe even the will to be writing reviews, specially of shows that do nothing for me. My mind is not there to be writing anything, really. I have a good and very demanding job that squeezes everything out of my neurons, and I go home just wanting to relax and enjoy the evening with my wife and 2 kids.

If that means "abandoning" AA, so be it, although I still check this place daily, so you can't really call it that.

[Barrelhaven]

As for me not writing reviews? Fairly easy. I'm not watching that much anime anymore. The last year or so has for the most part been a barren wasteland in terms of quality... which is a cycle that anime goes through every 5 years or so.

I'm sorta curious...how many titles did you even bother giving a chance over the last couple years?

You say you haven't been watching anime anymore, but then turn around and criticize the field of being empty of decent shows. Well, how would you know that if you haven't been watching anything? It's one thing to say anime has been sucky lately if you've actually seen them, but to put out a blanket statement like that when you don't know what's been going sounds a bit ignorant to me.

[soundchazer]

I'm sorta curious...how many titles did you even bother giving a chance over the last couple years?

You say you haven't been watching anime anymore, but then turn around and criticize the field of being empty of decent shows. Well, how would you know that if you haven't been watching anything? It's one thing to say anime has been sucky lately if you've actually seen them, but to put out a blanket statement like that when you don't know what's been going sounds a bit ignorant to me.

Because I do watch one or two episodes and drop them like flies. They are for the most part derivative and a repetition of prior anime. Maybe I've been watching anime too long and have become jaded, but the only anime that has really captured my imagination as of late is basically films like The girl who leaped through time and 5 cm per second. You know... the type that try to break the mold in terms of the stories they tell. Heck, even anime that I like, for example Saiunkoku Monogatari seem to have lost its focus.

I don't understand why you have to slam me for explaining MY reasons for "abandoning" AA and call me ignorant in the process.

But hey, since I'm such an ignoramus, please mention 5 good titles, other than the ones I mentioned that you consider to be great in the past year. At least that way I'll know your take on quality anime.

[Shadowmage]

But hey, since I'm such an ignoramus, please mention 5 good titles, other than the ones I mentioned that you consider to be great in the past year. At least that way I'll know your take on quality anime.

Do you mean 2007 as a whole or one year back from today?

[KiraraKim]

Some good series from 2007

Baccano (not a masterpiece but a lot of fun)
Mononoke (very original and great style)
Dennou Coil (excellent series)
Toward the Terra (great sci-fi)

And then there was the movies Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006) and Sword the Stranger (2007)

I won't mention Gurren Lagann because I know Soundchazer isn't a fan.

Also no one has reviewed the second season of Honey & Clover (2006). :(

There isn't much from this year so far but then there is Kaiba which is incredible


And I don't know how anyone can judge an entire season by watching 2 episodes of something and saying yeah that sucks.


I think saying real life is getting in the way is a perfectly acceptable excuse. I certainly think family and your job or whatever else should come before anime. But I don't think saying all anime sucks now (especially if you barely give a series a chance) is a good excuse. Actually I don't even care if people stop reviewing anime on here because that is your right (whatever the reason) but I am just tired of the all anime sucks now reason. Besides if all anime sucks now I thought AA reviewed good and bad series.

[Barrelhaven]

I don't understand why you have to slam me for explaining MY reasons for "abandoning" AA and call me ignorant in the process.

But hey, since I'm such an ignoramus, please mention 5 good titles, other than the ones I mentioned that you consider to be great in the past year. At least that way I'll know your take on quality anime.

I honestly did not mean to criticize you for putting family first (that is obviously understandable), but the way you stated how poor the quality of anime has been lately despite not watching anything didn't sound like the best of arguments. I mean, if you heard something like, "I haven't been keeping up with movies lately, so I guess they must all suck", would you think that's logical?

As for 5 good titles:
- Mononoke
- Baccano!
- Sword of the Stranger (Mukoh Hadan)
- Shigurui
- Kaiji

...and that's strictly since last summer. If you add in Spring '07, and a chunk of '06, the list could easily triple.

[Shadowmage]

In addition to Kirarakim's titles (except Kaiba, which I thought was good, not great).

ef: a tale of memories
Zoku: Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei
Kaiji
Shigurui
Kure-nai

[Barrelhaven]

Zoku: Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei


Just curious, but do you understand Japanese? I found the series impossible to keep up with through subs alone. Information overload.

[KiraraKim]

In addition to Kirarakim's titles (except Kaiba, which I thought was good, not great).


What you mean to say is you think it is good. It is not over yet. :)

And the subs are even two episodes behind.

But of course we are all going to think differently on what are the best series. But after episode 10 I definitely think Kaiba is one of my absolute favorite series.

[Barrelhaven]

What you mean to say is you think it is good. It is not over yet. :)

And the subs are even two episodes behind.

But of course we are all going to think differently on what are the best series. But after episode 10 I definitely think Kaiba is one of my absolute favorite series.

The early stages were episodic, but good. Now that all the bits and pieces are finally coming together, I'd have to agree it's approaching great. It seems all our worries and criticisms from early on are pretty much thrown out the window by now.

[Shadowmage]

Just curious, but do you understand Japanese? I found the series impossible to keep up with through subs alone. Information overload.
No. And even if I did understand Japanese, I probably would have missed half the small gags since most of the jokes run in tandem with one another. In the interest of time, I merely focused on the main jokes and enjoyed the few side punches whenever they caught my eye.
What you mean to say is you think it is good. It is not over yet. :)

And the subs are even an episode behind.
Okay, the show has been good, not great up to episode 9. I do realize that things can change, but since the novelty of the setting and animation style has worn off, this is unlikely to impress me that much more at this stage.

EDIT: Fine, I'm off to find the latest episodes

[soundchazer]

Some good series from 2007

Baccano (not a masterpiece but a lot of fun)
Mononoke (very original and great style)
Dennou Coil (excellent series)
Toward the Terra (great sci-fi)

And then there was the movies Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006) and Sword the Stranger (2007)

I won't mention Gurren Lagann because I know Soundchazer isn't a fan.

Also know one has reviewed the second season of Honey & Clover (2006). :(

There isn't much from this year so far but then there is Kaiba which is incredible


And I don't know how anyone can judge an entire season by watching 2 episodes of something and saying yeah that sucks.


I think saying real life is getting in the way is a perfectly acceptable excuse. I certainly think family and your job or whatever else should come before anime. But I don't think saying all anime sucks now (especially if you barely give a series a chance) is a good excuse.

For the record, I saw 7 episodes of Dennou Coil, didn't like the art nor the storyline. Terra e I did like, but then again, is based on an older (shoujo) manga, so it is playing to my tastes anyway. Baccano was not my cup of tea, although it was well made. Mononoke, I have not seen, and I probably will at some point.

In any case, you are missing the point. I can't afford to have the leaps of faith I once did and give anime 5 to 10 episodes to hook me in. If 2 or 3 do not get me there, I will not continue a series. It is not worth the investment in time for me anymore. Other people deserve that time better than mediocre anime which may or may not turn out to be OK. The odds are not helping either. If we say than 10% of the anime shown out there are good enough, then you are asking for a whole lot of viewing hours just to find out if the anime is any good. To me the bottomline is this: if the anime is unable to hook you in within 2 or 3 episodes, then it is doing something wrong, and personally not worth pursuing. If later on I hear enough buzz to know I may have been premature in my judgement, then I can go back at some point and revisit it a little more and watch a couple more episodes, but bottomline, if after those couple more episodes, you still don't like it, well heck, it is time to cut the cord.

The assumption that guys are making is that I'm not watching anime, period. Well, you got that wrong. I do give new anime a try, but I'm being far more selective with the titles I decide to keep watching, meaning I may have a busy 2 weeks, and then I'm fairly anime free for the rest of the season, having found the 1 or 2 productions I found interesting. But honestly, most of the anime that I have decided to follow through lately have not been all that good. For every terra e, I have found 10 Itazura no kiss.

[KiraraKim]

Okay, the show has been good, not great up to episode 9. I do realize that things can change, but since the novelty of the setting and animation style has worn off, this is unlikely to impress me that much more at this stage.


Well just because I like something doesn't mean you will and I understand that. :)

I actually was a little disappointed in episode 9 (too much telling and not enough showing) but episode 10 made up for that. Although it is not subbed yet it is actually sort of easy to figure out what is going on in episode 10 from the animation alone.

[Shadowmage]

Well, I actually do like Kaiba. It's just that the show has yet to genuinely impress me. For some reason, I could tell when tragedy was about to strike, and I subconsciously put up arms, dulling the overall experience.

[loner]

I'll bring the "the ratio of good anime to bad anime has always been that way; it's just that we get only the cream of the crop in the past but get everything these days" argument to the table again. I myself don't completely agree with this: the amount of anime being produced in total has increased from, say, the 80s, because the market has gotten a lot bigger, and I do think the percentage of absolute crap have increased, not just in nominal value but also in percentage of all anime produced.

More important, I think, is that there has been a change in trend in the mainstreams of the industry. Many studios have moved away from the traditional methods of writing and production. Well-developed plots and deep characters are no longer considered necessary ingredients to what makes an entertaining anime, or you could say that the definition of "entertainment" has changed. "Style over substance" used to be a curse word around this forum (anyone remember how much Blood: the Last Vampire was put down for this reason?), but now that's the direction where the industry is going. Whether it's a good or bad thing...well, I don't think anyone can really be the judge of that. What is good in one's eyes may be horrible in another's. I can understand SC's frustration with recent releases, since a lot of what has been considered good anime these days are like Baccano!: not SC's cup of tea.

[KiraraKim]

Okay maybe the 80's was the golden years for anime. But last time I checked this site definitely did not start in the 80's.

And then people always mention the 90's as so wonderful but I can think of a whole lot of crap that was produced in the 90's.

And then you have the arguments that 5 years ago was so much better than now. Well quite frankly I think that is complete nonsense. Of course there are a lot of bad series now but I really don't think there was this huge decline in quality from only 5 years ago.

My point is yes there is a lot of crap. But there always were crappy series. That doesn't mean there still aren't excellent series. And yes every once and awhile there is a weak year with less quality titles. But I never expect to get 100% quality. I wouldn't have time to watch that much anime anyways. Even if there are only a few good series a year that is good enough for me.


And I certainly still care about substance over style when I am talking about quality.

[Kavik Ryx]

I simply call the '90s a golden age because the hits were as high as they were. The big issue today is that even if the ratio of good/bad anime is the same, the quantity has gone up by, well, a lot. The ability to animate has gotten easier in a sense, as well as less expensive, meaning that instead of maybe one gem for every five pieces of crap, it's 10 gems for every 50 pieces of crap. Ratio is the same, there is just more to go through.

Also, with every gem, there is a certain amount of copying of it, which has gone on as early back as Go Nagai's work to say the least. The issue may be the fact that there is just more to paddle through. The ratio has remained the same, but the amount is enough to make any jaded viewer skeptical. The issue is the same for all forms of media. It doesn't mean that quality is dropping, it might even be rising. But doesn't prevent crap from being able to be mass produced at the same rate.

[KiraraKim]

Quite honestly I think the 90's was one of the weakest periods for anime. There were some very good series yes but overall I think this decade was a lot stronger.

And there is copying in every medium. If anime wasn't copying off itself in the past then it was copying off of other mediums instead. As they say there really aren't any original ideas anymore. For me it is the more the execution of the idea than the idea itself that matters.

[loner]

I merely brought up that argument again as it appears relevant. I don't even agree that 80s was the golden age of anime; I merely raised the 80s in my post just because its the period of time many older anime fans here likes to hark back to, regardless of when this site was founded (Kain and Madoka's debate on this issue comes to mind; people who have not read it should do so). I still stand by my belief that there's more crap produced nominally in recent years than 20 years ago, since loser-male-with-harem and moe were not popular trends which pushes studios to produce 2 to 3 titles in those molds during that time. That, and nobody has compiled me a list of all the anime produced in a given year in the 80s and pointed out all the crap to me, so I can't really see any evidence to suggest that the ratio of bad to good has remained constant.

I also don't mean to suggest that quality must equal substance over style. In fact, when I mentioned that the definition of entertainment is changing, I should go further and say that these days what construes as "substance" to an anime fan has changed with it, and in many cases substance and style go together and can't be divorced. I remember Trem asking why does everyone demand deep plot and characters, and can't enjoy an anime for its overall entertainment value (I believe this was from the recent debate in the Gurren Lagann thread, and I'm massively paraphrasing here, so it you feel I misquoted you, Trem, apologies). This is actually a pretty contentious statement, as it challenges an established tenet of how anime is to be judged here (plot/character > everything else), but an argument that I cannot refute.

My point is simply this: The perception of what makes excellence in anime is changing. This shouldn't come as a surprise, since it changes all the time in every other art form. Say a fan of impressionism doesn't think much of what is considered a masterpiece of dadaist artwork. Does that mean that that piece is not excellent? Or is the person wrong for not recognizing its excellence?

[soundchazer]

It is simpler than that... less anime available + hand made cells which take longer to make - fewer channels to show your anime on + higher production costs = more carefully planned shows.

That is what you saw in the 60s, 70s and 80s. With the advent of cable and satellite TV, there were more oportunities to make anime. This meant dilluted pool of voice actors (you need more, therefore you don't necessarily have as much competition), dilluted pool of good animators and more rushed works due to the lack of available talent (which made for the such uneven 90s). Now computers made it possible to do productions faster, with less skill required, which made it possible in the new millenium to have better art quality. Unfortunately, since it is cheaper to produce a serial, and there are too many productions going on, the need to be careful with the planning is no longer there. So Anime has now taken the "throw it to the wall and see what sticks" approach, and a lot of copycat storylines are now the norm, since they are producing the series like pancakes.

This is probably why I get most of my kicks from remakes of old series and manga, or novel adaptations. Those seem to have a little bit more depth to them. Unfortunately, they are the minority in the market right now.

[Kavik Ryx]

No matter what, certain genres are going to be copycatted instantly. It just feels like it's easier now. Not to say that originality is the problem, but I think that this is an era where anime is easy to produce and it also happens to be a time where some really, need I say, bad genres have been quite popular. I'm just going to say that I think harem anime sucks. It's incredibly cookie cutter, rarely funny or entertaining, and just a culmination of jokes and whatnot that can just as easily be found in other genres. Overt moe is also an issue in my book, but I digress. Maybe starting in 2011 or something another genre will become popular that while is going to become overused pretty quickly, it will at least be able to get out at least one excellent series.

[Shadowmage]

I'll bring the "the ratio of good anime to bad anime has always been that way; it's just that we get only the cream of the crop in the past but get everything these days" argument to the table again. I myself don't completely agree with this: the amount of anime being produced in total has increased from, say, the 80s, because the market has gotten a lot bigger, and I do think the percentage of absolute crap have increased, not just in nominal value but also in percentage of all anime produced.
I can't say much about which era was better, but I can say that the overall increase in the quantity of anime has really been good to me. Simply put, the current proliferation of anime has increased the nominal value of quality titles. The mere fact that I can pick and choose from a larger pool of quality titles offsets the fact that the quantity of surrounding turd has increased.

More important, I think, is that there has been a change in trend in the mainstreams of the industry. Many studios have moved away from the traditional methods of writing and production.
Personally, I see this as a good thing since it allows for genuine experimentation as to what the animated medium can do.

Well-developed plots and deep characters are no longer considered necessary ingredients to what makes an entertaining anime, or you could say that the definition of "entertainment" has changed.
The definition of of "entertainment" was always tenuous. I don't think every good anime of the past had well developed plots and deep characters.

"Style over substance" used to be a curse word around this forum (anyone remember how much Blood: the Last Vampire was put down for this reason?)
I find criticisms of Blood: the Last Vampire interesting because I find the same people praising Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, which has about the same amount of substance.

"Style over substance" used to be a curse word around this forum ...but now that's the direction where the industry is going.
I disagree. I believe that a good number of shows still take the bread and butter route of compelling stories and well developed characters (Claymore, Toward the Terra, Denno Coil, Bokurano, Shigurui, Kaiji, 5 cm/sec, Clannad, The girl who Leapt Through Time, Nodame Cantabile, ef: a tale of memories in 2007 alone).

Whether it's a good or bad thing...well, I don't think anyone can really be the judge of that. What is good in one's eyes may be horrible in another's.
True

I can understand SC's frustration with recent releases, since a lot of what has been considered good anime these days are like Baccano!: not SC's cup of tea.
By "like Baccano!" I'll assume you mean shows that go after "style over substance." And if you do mean this, I'll have to disagree. Really, only a small number of good shows last year had style over substance (Zoku: Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei, Gurren Lagann, Baccano!) whereas everything I listed above had a good measure of substance mixed in with varying degrees of style.

[loner]

I'll repeat again that I'm not passing judgment on anything. As I elaborated before, style and substance are becoming increasingly inseparable parts rather than contesting notions. ef is actually a very good example of that (actually, can you take away the "style" part of any Shaft anime?), and I'll add to your list Mononoke and Kaiba (two titles that have been mentioned so far in this thread). Like you said, Shadowmage, perhaps it has always been this way; it's just our perception, our emphasis, that has changed. I do think that it's a two-way street, and I don't think I'm imagining things when I say studios are putting more much more focus to artistic and stylistic innovation, sometimes at the cost of plot/characters.

I guess I like my second post more than my first post.

[Barrelhaven]

I can't even tell what we're arguing about anymore. I think the point of contention started off with this:

As for me not writing reviews? Fairly easy. I'm not watching that much anime anymore. The last year or so has for the most part been a barren wasteland in terms of quality.
...we've somehow shifted to arguing over ratios of good to bad anime, and comparing the 00s to the 90s and 80s. To me, that's all irrelevant. There could be hundreds more horrible shows than goods shows, and the 80's could kick 00's butt. None of that says anything about whether there's still quality titles being made today. As many posters have pointed out already, there's plenty of worthy shows to watch lately, and the state of anime is hardly a "barren wasteland".

@loner: I may have misinterpreted, but it seems to me you're arguing 'quality' is a value originating from our own tastes. While I agree with some of that, I also believe (to an extent) the product itself holds an intrinsic quality regardless of whether it suits us or not. For example, you may not like Mononoke because the artistic style or the nature of the stories do not appeal to you, but you could also appreciate that it's well-told and artistic nevertheless. Thus, there's a big difference between saying "I didn't like this anime" and "this anime sucks", and one does not always imply the other. Now, if SC said nothing interested him lately, that I could understand...but to say there's been nothing of quality is a different tune all together, IMO.

[Ninja Realist]

I'd say your cynical view on the current trend of anime is more due to you growing up and not being able to feel that spark again that you had when you were younger, rather than anime actually starting to suck now. I'm guessing this is because of nostalgia.

I'm glad we had this talk. My hourly fee is $150.

To a point you are right but I also think the majority of Anime do not come very close to an honest depiction of human relations. I have seen very few anime where the characters felt extremely human and the way sexuality is depicted in the lion's share of anime is strange and frustratingly virginal. The same could be said about live action T.V. but for my money the best live action is better than the best anime.

[soundchazer]

I can't even tell what we're arguing about anymore. I think the point of contention started off with this:

...we've somehow shifted to arguing over ratios of good to bad anime, and comparing the 00s to the 90s and 80s. To me, that's all irrelevant. There could be hundreds more horrible shows than goods shows, and the 80's could kick 00's butt. None of that says anything about whether there's still quality titles being made today. As many posters have pointed out already, there's plenty of worthy shows to watch lately, and the state of anime is hardly a "barren wasteland".

@loner: I may have misinterpreted, but it seems to me you're arguing 'quality' is a value originating from our own tastes. While I agree with some of that, I also believe (to an extent) the product itself holds an intrinsic quality regardless of whether it suits us or not. For example, you may not like Mononoke because the artistic style or the nature of the stories do not appeal to you, but you could also appreciate that it's well-told and artistic nevertheless. Thus, there's a big difference between saying "I didn't like this anime" and "this anime sucks", and one does not always imply the other. Now, if SC said nothing interested him lately, that I could understand...but to say there's been nothing of quality is a different tune all together, IMO.

You do understand what "for the most part" means, right? THat means MOST, not ALL. Talk about reading comprehension problems. It seems you were only trying to start a fight. I'm not biting.

And I do stand by what I said, the industry is at this point in time a barren wasteland. A generic, derivative, copycat industry. Just because a few shows (5) among around a 100 are any good these days, doesn't change the fact that 95% is still crap or mediocre at best. Well, I'm not willing to dedicate so much of my time trying to find out which 5 shows are the ones worth watching. I would rather scan blogs and sites and see which 10 to 15 seem to be generating a buzz, watch information is shared among posters who have similar tastes to mine, and only pay attention to those.

And believe me, the lists presented only show about 4 I really liked. 2 or 3 I have not watched, and the rest were not interesting at all to me. So that only reinforces was I thought before: Barren Wasteland.

[KiraraKim]

I don't think Baccano is style over substance. I enjoy it because of the characters not the action scenes. But I understand the genre doesn't appeal to everyone.

And I think that is the issue it is not that the quality of shows have gone down. Maybe some people are just not interested in the particular series that are out there at the moment. If someone tells me that they personally dislike Dennou Coil I have no issues with that. However if you are going to tell me that it is unoriginal drivel than I honestly will not take any of your arguments about what is quality seriously.

As for dedicating time I don't dredge through a million crappy titles to find out what is good. I read message boards/blogs and see what other people are talking about (especially people I trust) and that is how I find what to watch. And it is pretty easy to stay clear of the real crappy titles from their synopsis alone.


Also Toward the Terra is shounen sci-fi (which I am only bringing up because I watched an interview with the manga-ka just now where she mentioned it as shounen about 4 times in the first few minutes of the interview).

[Neo-Hunter]

Personally I think that the anime from 2003 to 2007 was like a hit and miss type of years and the people who created some of the shows had what i feel like an opertunity to give it there all but then a new wave of artist arrived with newer types of both anime and manga true that some of the old creators are still making good anime but it seems that now there somewhat of a lag in my opinion. For the site, i try to get on as much as i can but it all feels like we talked about the same thing over and over again not to hate but it gets old, I love AA but I honestly think there should be some thing newer to write about. *yes I forgot my password so that why it seems like I'm always on yes I'm trying to find it to log out for a time*

[PsychoSaiya-jin]

I'm confused. Even if the newest anime is not your bag it doesn't stop people watching earlier stuff or reviewing things you've already seen. For instance, I just finished Godannar and was very pleasantly surprised.

[Major Tom]

Maybe it's time for a facelift to the frontpage? It's been that way ever since I can remember, which is what...5 years now? Maybe that might attract some new people....

[Illjwamh]

New people won't really make a difference without regular new reviews.

Unless you're talking about the forums, which are doing just fine if you ask me.

[PsychoSaiya-jin]

A new front-end couldn't hurt. We really need to pull together and do something. The forums have been running like clockwork thanks to Mugs and the Mods but I'm not sure who is taking care of the main site since Kain left.

[Illjwamh]

This is why I'll say once again that a we're overdue for another staff contest. Maybe a new prof or two can help breathe some life back into this place.

The best thing about those is sometimes we end up with someone totally new who hasn't even posted on the forums before.

[Tyrdium]

Seconded. I'd say we need more than one or two new profs, though. How many active ones did we used to have? Six? Eight? And we now have... zero?

Obviously, bringing that many new profs on at once would be crazy. But over the course of a few months? I think it could be done.

[Illjwamh]

When you say "active", you're talking in the loosest sense of the word considering that technically the goal of each prof is supposed to be 2 reviews per month.

Tyrdium raised a good point. We could use more than a few newbies, and stretching it out would help assimilate things rather than make it seem like a complete overhaul.

[Roark]

In all fairness, I'm not even a reviewer. I just mod forums.

[Illjwamh]

Haha. True, you aren't. That list was hardly comprehensive anyway; I think it was just to make a point.

[animanic_critic]

I think that the best way to solve this problem is to both get some new professors and revive the old ones, because honestly I still want to read reviews from professors like soundchazer and Mana. Plus, I'm surprised at how 2-20's review seems to have fizzled out (and I don't think that the writing schedule has anything to do with it). I'd kill to read your reviews.

And a new makeover for the main site can help a lot, at least I won't keep visiting it without feeling... old.

[Mana]

Mana: College

More like "Workaholic." I have a full-time job during the day and a part-time overnight job to cover my medical bills from my ER visit earlier in the year. I'll also be taking at least one college course come fall semester, maybe two if I can find one that will work into my schedule.

Don't think this means I'm quitting, though. I still love AA to pieces (<3) even if I don't show it much these days. Expect more from me in the not-so-distant future.

[7Raven7]

Expect more from me in the not-so-distant future.

Woot! Just in time for the AA swim-suit competitions! (Can we make sure SC shaves his bikini line this time :( )

[PsychoSaiya-jin]

Can't we just wax him completely? I'm not risking that again.

[Two-twenty]

God, #%@# this crappy computer. Rage, I tell you. RAGE. When it's not crashing for no conceivable reason, the local network boots me off the interblogs whenever I post and/or login. If my computer decides it likes me between now and getting a new one hopefully next week, reviews and activity soon, I promise.

[Ritalin]

<zero_one> when was the last time i was on the forums?
<Ritalin> i think i'm still a mod on aa
<zero_one> (side note: i'm totally listening to songs off the Stardust OST)
<zero_one> who runs the aa site now?
<Ritalin> holy shit i am

wow D:

[zero one]

<zero_one> when was the last time i was on the forums?
<Ritalin> i think i'm still a mod on aa
<zero_one> (side note: i'm totally listening to songs off the Stardust OST)
<zero_one> who runs the aa site now?
<Ritalin> holy shit i am

wow D:

i'm totally one of the best people on AA, and i'm going to check to see how long it's been since i've posted :P

edit: and according to my poll i am the best! :D go me!

[Mana]

* Mana glomps 01!

[Sae]

Wow I've been gone for what seems like forever! My computer was completely stupid!!!! :blowup: But (hehe:XD:) after a 2 year absence, Sae is back!!

[TwinchaosX]

Well I'm back...it does seem to be a bit more dead then the last time I was around. Just got back from NZ about a week ago. Try to post some pictures from my trip soon. Hope everyone at AA is doing well!!!

[Illjwamh]

We all caught malaria while you were gone.


Yeah. Awkward now, right?

[Risen Hell Fire]

I got a cold, that's as bad as I get.

Anywho, I'm shocked at myself for being here for almost five years, and I've gotten on some members nerves through the years. But, yeah it's certainly not as lively as say 04 and 05, maybe we'll see a sudden jump in members some day. Until then still love this site, and always will.

[ShinoMatrix]

*sigh*

Even if it were only one post every couple of days, this is still the place I go to to discuss anime...

[Naota]

I post once every couple of years. This is my quota for 2008. :p

[animanic_critic]

I post once every couple of years. This is my quota for 2008. :p
Wow, is that you? The only time I seen you was through your old posts... which was ages ago.

[Illjwamh]

I post once every couple of years. This is my quota for 2008. :p

Wow, so you've been here for over 4,000 years? Sweet!

[Unloved Zombie]

I post once every couple of years. This is my quota for 2008. :p

Hahahaha nice work there, Naota.

In other news, newish oldish members make the world go round.

Well I'm back...it does seem to be a bit more dead then the last time I was around. Just got back from NZ about a week ago. Try to post some pictures from my trip soon. Hope everyone at AA is doing well!!!

lol @ us getting back around the same time. sup tcx

[Blue Audio]

I can't believe I got banned 3 years ago. SC is still an ******* <3

[ProfessorWashu]

i post once every couple of years. This is my quota for 2008. :p

HOLY CRAP!!!! Naota speaks at last!!!!!!!

Hiya, I believe this is the first time we've met. I've wanted to ask you this, but never really had a chance since I thought you were gone forever. Why is your name always registered as an active moderator? Are you permanently logged in or something? It's just been bugging me.

Well, I'll check for your answer this time next year then! :D

[Illjwamh]

It's because he's always watching. :couch:





We need a shifty-eyed smiley on this board.

[sohryu]

Why is your name always registered as an active moderator? Are you permanently logged in or something? It's just been bugging me.

My guess would be that it's because all the other mods are in a different usergroup (http://www.animeacademy.com/forums/showgroups.php) than he is. See how all those sub-forums are listed next to his name? Yet none of the members of the other usergroups (Campus Lieutenant, Professor, etc.) have crap listed next to theirs. The thing you see at the bottom of the sub-forum's page lists active users, not active moderators. That column is just telling you which mod(s) are "in charge" of that particular sub-forum.

[loner]

I remember a evapilot that posts here quite a bit. Whatever happened to him I wonder.

For some reason, this place never lacked Aussies. There have been at least 2 or 3 active Aussies at all times at AA, even in its lowest ebbs. I smell a conspiracy, probably kangaroo related.

[ProfessorWashu]

I remember a evapilot that posts here quite a bit. Whatever happened to him I wonder.

For some reason, this place never lacked Aussies. There have been at least 2 or 3 active Aussies at all times at AA, even in its lowest ebbs. I smell a conspiracy, probably kangaroo related.

*Loner is dragged off by 3 suspicious-looking kangaroos in suits and sunglasses*

[Ojisan]

!!!

[Milkymagic]

-_____-

!!!

-_____0

[Dtortot]

If anyone still cares about the problem at hand this topic presented and people do want my opinion then here it is.

You want to know why AA is "dead"? Status. AA used to be THE place to get together to discuss anime, THE place to get the best reviews, not necessarily of the newest anime, but the best reviews. It was a site that worked ****ing hard on getting itself to the top. And some other sites (some created from people that used to or still visit AA) reacted. They wanted a share of the King Of The Otaku title. I haven't been really in touch with the anime world for quite some time so I don't know which are the big and important sites to get decent and honest opinions right now. But I do know that it isn't AA, how do I know this? Because this started to happen around the time I took my leave from the site.

Some are trying to shield themselves by saying that 2007 was a crappy year for anime, or that people have to catch up with life and reality and all those excuses. We ALL are to blame for the fall of AA. Myself included. Be it because we left the forums, or we had to re-prioritize our lives and responsibilities, or just because some of us don't care about anime anymore.

While there was a struggle for power and control over AA, specially the forums and this separated the forums, it never really was the cause. It was more of a symptom than the disease. The same could be said about the lack of reviews.

There was a time, as brief as it were, were saying: "I am a staff member of AA" opened up doors and was something respectable to say. Now it isn't. I may be shooting in the dark here, but: How did AA make itself present at the major conventions this past two years?

Status. AA used to mean something. Now it is just another site. And that is why it hurts. And probably why some people left. It may sound dumb, childish and totally out of place, but no one wants to be a nobody.

[Illjwamh]

That actually makes a lot of sense.

[Milkymagic]

It is an interesting point, I suppose there will be competition, and the fact that most websites of this nature need able bodies to keep it active.

I was gone for two months because of computer problems, came back, and noticed that things were still awfully quiet.

But you know something? My time here has been very worthwhile thus far, and I wouldn't take back any of the days spent making threads for all you guys and helping with discussion in other ones. Deep down, I see many of you as my friends, and I feel I've connected with a good amount of folks who I feel like I have something in common with, even if just to talk about anime.

It is sad to think how times change, and perhaps our lives will catch up to us, especially since the human body ages and who can say how long we've got before we can question what is priority and what isn't.

Right now, I'm not giving up on the community, but I am ready to accept that the place isn't booming like it used to.

If anyone comes back and reads whatever I've got to say, consider me beyond grateful.

Because shouting in a hallway, only to be returned with the shout of another person, shows that there is still life to be found! :D

[soundchazer]

* soundchazer shrugs.

I see your point Dtortot and find it valid, but lets be honest here... for the most part Anime as a part of the mainstream was a fad and it is dying down now. How can we tell? A lot of the "big" names in the industry have either gone away (Geneon) or scaled back dramatically (ADV). The ones left behind are the hardcore people. This is another reason why pretty much all anime sites are dwindling in terms of attendance. Have you noticed how you couldn't name any other page dedicated to anime reviews being THE site to visit? It is because there isn't one.

[Tyrdium]

Whatever happened to getting some more reviewers? The last review was published over a month and a half ago; that should be unacceptable by any standard. Kick some life into the place!

[Barrelhaven]

* soundchazer shrugs.

I see your point Dtortot and find it valid, but lets be honest here... for the most part Anime as a part of the mainstream was a fad and it is dying down now. How can we tell? A lot of the "big" names in the industry have either gone away (Geneon) or scaled back dramatically (ADV). The ones left behind are the hardcore people. This is another reason why pretty much all anime sites are dwindling in terms of attendance. Have you noticed how you couldn't name any other page dedicated to anime reviews being THE site to visit? It is because there isn't one.

Actually, that probably has more to do with the emergence of anime blogs lately. I imagine most people would probably prefer a blog that offers insight episode by episode on a weekly basis, rather than a site that reviews it after all the hype dies down. If you look around on animenano or animeblogger, you can find some pretty popular blogs that are really flourishing.

And I'm also not too sure if the anime fad is actually dying out or not. The decline of companies like Geneon and ADV could be due to more people learning to take advantage of fansubs. It doesn't necessarily mean the fanbase is dwindling.

[Dtortot]

Have you noticed how you couldn't name any other page dedicated to anime reviews being THE site to visit? It is because there isn't one.Have to take into consideration that I haven't visited an anime site for over a year or so, until today. And even when I did, (I visited NHRV) it was more on a business agenda than a social and read reviews agenda.

[Ojisan]

I know that a big part of the reason my interest in anime declined was a combination of booze, weed, and sex filling that void in my life. Now, instead of sitting for hours on end watching anime, I end up getting drunk and high instead, and maybe calling over my girlfriend for some puss. It's hard to get puss when they see you watching irritating cartoons in Chinese.

[DarkKanti]

I know that a big part of the reason my interest in anime declined was a combination of booze, weed, and sex filling that void in my life. Now, instead of sitting for hours on end watching anime, I end up getting drunk and high instead, and maybe calling over my girlfriend for some puss. It's hard to get puss when they see you watching irritating cartoons in Chinese.

Wait a second? Are you me?

[Tamanegi Sensei]

Abandoned?

For the people that are here, that should be enough. If there's a way to incorporate student reviews and not just profs, then that could show progress. Meanwhile other sites and blogs are gaining reps for giving their stint on what they are dedicated to. They are giving their time even if they are not getting paper (money), or so. Life, "hobbies", family, not really excuses if that's what they want to use because of their lack of time here.

Want some life pumped into this site? encourage more people who are just starting out to check out the place. It doesn't have to be just all about users who gain reps through the popular vote.

That's all.

[loner]

Wait a second? Are you me?

We all know that secretly, everyone is actually Oji.

[animanic_critic]

We all know that secretly, everyone is actually Oji.
There goes my secret alter-ego.

[genki sakura]

That explains a lot. O_o

[Unloved Zombie]

We all know that secretly, everyone is actually Oji.

Dear God, I'm THREE people?!

[Kavik Ryx]

So it looks like now this thread has been abandoned.

(Been waiting forever to say that)

[Illjwamh]

So it looks like now this thread has been abandoned.


No, it's just been moved. (http://www.animeacademy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25753)

[swifttiger]

...

[Taleweaver]

No excuses from me. Just a quick "I'm back". Expect my first new reviews by the end of November.

[Illjwamh]

Hooray!

[Two-twenty]

Work. Work. Work. Work. Hay look some free timOH WAIT WORK.

Christ, I need to quit this shit.

[Unloved Zombie]

Just write about 4 words a day and by the end of December, you'll have yourself something!!