I’m a 25-year-old British/Irish girl (should I say woman? o_O) who loves anime, manga and all things Japanese far too much. Growing up, before I knew what anime was, the TV shows I loved were good ol’ European/Japanese cartoon hybrids, such as ‘Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds’, and anime-influenced American shows like the Turtles, so I guess it was only a matter of time before I got into actual anime.
That started when I was hitting my teens, thanks to a number of my older friends being members of the mini-anime wave at the start of the 90s, I was able to indulge in a few movies and OAVs, anything from Ghost in the Shell and Akira, to Dominion Tank Police and 3×3 Eyes, a few of which were shown on late-night TV. Once I began Sixth Form (at the age of 16) I started to delve into this until now side-interest, partially thanks to an unhealthy obsession with ‘Pokemon’ (^^##), and had my first Miyazaki experience in the form of ‘The Castle of Caglistro’ on the Sci-Fi channel’s old anime section (best Lupin III movie, hands down). From there, by way of City Hunter, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Tenchi and Escaflowne, I quickly became the addict I am today.
Not that long after I started becoming more series with anime (when I was maybe around 17), I started buying manga in pretty much the only place in Northern Ireland (at least that I knew of) that stocked it, Talisman. The first manga was Sailor Moon SuperS, and was followed not that long afterwards by X/1999 and Oh! My Goddess (all three of these I knew thanks to their anime incarnations).
When it comes to genre, there’s nothing I won’t try. In terms of shoujo and shounen, I’m pretty much cut down the middle; my anime tends to be 50/50, whereas manga I’m a little more parcial to shoujo, and at the minute, probably due to my age, I’m on a josei kick thanks to Ai Yazawa’s works and Honey & Clover.
I’m not an especially big shipper, and in some cases don’t ship at all for certain shows. It’s mainly only the series that I become most passionate about that I actually follow a certain couple, generally whatever is canon, regardless of the sex of the two people.
Why?
For the past while I’ve been throwing my thoughts on anime and manga onto my LiveJournal, but lately I’ve felt that I needed a place to keep them separate. As my LJ is also where I post about my real life and keep in contact with friends, I didn’t always feel it was the right place for those kind of posts (apart from maybe over-fangirly posts ^^;;), and they started to get lost amongst the others.
So I’ve cranked out WordPress and threw this thing together to keep my thoughts and real life separate, and so that I can rant a rave without restraint. Plus, I like to hear the opinions of other fans out there, ones that I haven’t had the chance to interact with away from forums and LJ.
The blog is for my own fun, so I’m not doing it for hits or comments, though those things are good too. I can often be pretty critical in some instances as well, but, although I will listen and re-examine things when people disagree, I don’t retract statements easily.
Currently there probably isn’t much different here compared to other blogs focusing upon the same topics, but hopefilly I’ll be able to change that in some way at some point. I’m trying to get back into illustration, so perhaps there will be something there I can use.
Structure
Most of the blogs I’ve seen, in fact a number that I adore and follow myself, stick to reviewing and writing synopsis for every episode of series the blogger is currently watching. However, in my case, I know I’d never be able to maintain that kind of blog. First off, why do you need me describing every scene whereas there are others out there that can undoubtedly do better? Second, it’s just not what I want to do, so it would simply be half-hearted synopsis.
Also, not everything I will blog about will be recent. Some posts will be anime/manga currently running in Japan, others what is currently being released in North American and the UK & Ireland. In other instances, it may be something that has been out for 10 or 20 years but that I’ve only recently gotten around to, or fandoms that I’ve been a member of for years, but I’ve had a sudden thought in regards too. And then there will be one-off articles about almost everything and anything.
For an idea of what I’m most likely to hit upon in posts, the blog’s footer will be kept constantly up-to-date on what I’m currently watching/reading, and what are my favourites. You can also check out MyAnimeList to find out a little more about what anime I have seen and up to what point I’m currently up to in each.
Just Anime & Manga?
Like most anime and manga fans, they aren’t the only aspects I’m interested in when it comes to Japan. Some posts will be based around Japanese and other Asian music. There may be posts about historical references, on Japanese literature, or Western fiction about the country. Then there may even be a few pieces that talk about gaming.
So it all just really depends upon what comes to mind and what I want to chat about.
Screenshots / Scans
I’ll be attempting to post entries with at least a few screencaps or scans to help illustrate posts, but that may not be possible and isn’t the main reasons for the posts.
As for the use of screenshots, I don’t mind if they are used for icon making or other forms of graphics, but it would be great if you could give me a link back when you do use them.
Comments
If you are commenting, please use correct grammar and spelling. I don’t mind if there are a few mistakes, but please don’t make them on purpose or because you are lazy. Such comments, as well of those full of LEET speak, will be deleted.
