Miscellaneous

Communication bouys down….rerouting power to emergency comms system. Establishing link with remote server…link established. Cleaning up external noise. Boosting signal strength to acceptable levels…

Asobi here. Apologies for the late update. My sad attempt at an excuse for being the last of the new guys to go is that the Reaper invasion has been relentless and all my resources (ie. my computer) were devoted to gathering support. Ahem. Progressing with status report.

It’s a funny feeling, writing this introductory post. If you had asked me anytime before this last week, I never could’ve imagined myself contributing as an anime blogger, much less on a site with as much recognition in the community as Random Curiosity. So it is with trepidation that I step off at this stop, filling shoes that I’m unsure I can step into. I’ve been an on/off lurker on RC for some time now, checking in after episodes of the shows I was following to read up on the posts and comments, but this marks my first real involvement with the people on the site. As they would say in Japan, よろしくおねがいします。(Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu; I’m in your care.)

I can hardly believe it’s only been a short while ago that I saw Divine’s request for new writers. Since I have a particular soft spot for writing and anime, I convinced myself to try my hand at something I wouldn’t normally go at. Guided by feelings of wanting to challenge myself with the experience of writing for RC, I composed an application and was pacing around the house, pondering if I should send it in or not. Even after I finally sent it in, I concluded that I should not expect a positive reply, considering that I was everything Divine wasn’t looking for. (Let me offer my humblest apologies for this -.-;) It was to my great surprise, when I woke up on Monday morning, that an email from him was sitting in my mailbox, asking if I wanted to come aboard the team.

So I’d like to thank Divine for giving me the opportunity to write for the blog. It isn’t in my apathetic character to tie myself to responsibilities, especially in the case of RC, where writers are expected to contribute timely and regular updates. Even with this made clear to him, he still decided to take a (IMO poor) gamble with me. So with these expectations placed upon me, I can hardly let the people trusting in me down, can I?

I’m not going to bore you readers with the origins of my anime-watching hobby; Or rather, I think I’m afraid of the backlash when I admit that I entered the scene way past whatever golden age it was in. (Still a young’un.) Watching anime is a pretty normal hobby for teens and college students in my home country (and the community has quite the presence indeed), with many of my friends and peers having watched a couple of series in their time. And while some grew out of it or lost interest, I continue to regularly follow the latest season of shows till this day. In fact, I used to prefer reading manga over watching anime, but have since struck a nice balance between them. Along the way, I’ve also started following certain light novels translations. (Any of you follow SAO?)

Like most in the community, I do enjoy anime over a diverse range of genres1, with most of my absolute favorites being stories that grapple with realistic themes such as growth and change (Makoto Shinkai’s and Studio Ghibli’s outstanding works). I like to see shows that tackle themes not often explored (Eve no Jikan) as well as shows with a premise or setting that oozes creativity (Baccano!, Spice and Wolf). I also can’t help but give shows a break if it incorporates good humor (FMP:Fumoffu!, Nichijou). But it’s hard to classify my favourites into particular categories; what’s most important to me is that the show is fun to watch, even if the plot was stupid, the jokes flat, or the productions values subpar. I’m sure this holds true for everyone else in the community.

That said, I do have a bias towards science fiction, with my love for the genre stretching back into my childhood. The fantasy of the stars and the magic of technology always had a strange appeal to me, and you’ll find it reflected in the shows I enjoy. I’m also a movie buff, so I love seeing great cinematography and directing in my shows.

I’m pretty tame in the amount I actually watch; in a particular season, the average number of shows I follow is about 6. (Which was my main reason for coming to RC in the past, all dem screencaps of shows I wasn’t following.) Anime is one of the many hobbies that I enjoy, and I like to keep an equal balance between all of them. Some of these hobbies include gaming, weekly workouts, picking up the guitar, and reading. (Speaking of which, I really should go and finish my {A Song of Ice and Fire} collection that I’ve left hanging for a year already.)

I suppose that I should also talk a little about myself beyond my hobbies: I’m currently studying abroad doing a degree in Marketing and Management (I know, I know >.>) after serving some mandatory time in National Service. And…that’s it.

…What? I did say it was a little. My life is really, really boring, you know?

But honestly, I’m excited to finally be a part of the community, and to share in the fun of watching anime with everyone else here on RC. The current plan for me is to start off blogging 1 or 2 shows from the spring season, so I hope you readers will find my future posts to be an entertaining read. I’d like to do for you guys what RC has done for me this past few years; to provide an enjoyable insight, a place for discussions, and of course, awesome screencaps.

Most of the new writers already mentioned it, but I would also like to take the chance to emphasize again that criticism is good! So hey, if you find any problems with how I write or with my opinions, give a shoutout and I’ll do my best to answer you. It’s just too bad that I’m an easily persuaded guy, so any discussion with me would probably end up with your opinions overriding mine. (Um, wait, on seconds thoughts, I shouldn’t be admitting that, should I? PLEASE FORGET THAT LAST LINE.)

______________

1As per RC traditions, here’s a MAL for your viewing pleasure (barring some stuff I can feel is missing). [Back]

98 Comments

      4. Haha… Is it weird that I’m about to enter Uni too, and am probably gonna be doing something along the lines to Business/Mgmt. Except, I’m doing it overseas.

        Anyway, forgot to actually say(type) it, Nice to have you on the team of RandomC writers! I lack the time and ability to help contribute, so it’s nice to see more people (especially now)!

        Dal
        Reply

  10. Welcome to RandomC, Asobi.
    One quick question, why did you drop Air? That’s a good show. I remembered one of the fansub even make notes to prepare tissues before watching certain episode.

    Kusabi
    Reply

    1. Air really was one of the first few shows I ever picked up…and my experience at the time was mostly limited to the shounen genre, so the extreme difference in genre didn’t engage me at all. Since then, I’ve always thought to go back and revisit the series, but laziness always gets in the way.

      Asobi
      Reply

      2. From reading these comments, it sounds like we share similar experience. Air was one of my earlier series, yet I somehow didn’t finish it. I have to confess that I didn’t watch all of Clannad’s first season, but After Story is an utterly amazing tear-jerker. You must watch it!! 🙂

        Chloesong
        Reply

  11. Mass Effect is an acceptable reason for being late… this time 😛

    I share your feeling of never being able to fault good humor. Even if a show should’ve been horrible, humor makes it all good XD Welcome to RC!!

    Aex
    Reply

  14. You appear to be someone who likes to play (and live) safe and thus doesn’t like to take any risks. Although I’m sure you secretly want to do crazy things, but somehow don’t have the confidence to do so. Feel free to prove me wrong 😛
    I think you sending an application, and Divine giving you this opportunity, is a good step in the right direction!

    Welcome! And I’m looking forward to reading your posts 🙂

    Shey
    Reply

  17. RANDOMC ASSEMBBBLLLEED!

    I saw that your post was full of 5cm pictures, so I decided to read your post to this music. Sets the mood doesn’t it?
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khRlVPap8Lg

    Anyways, I thoroughly look forward to writing alongside you. You sound a little hesitant in your writing, but don’t mind! Make some mistakes and write with passion! ^_^. Here’s to an awesome year!
    some_text

    Zanibas
    Reply

    2. Glad to be part of the team!

      And I intended to come off as self-deprecating tho…guess I failed huh? Doohoho…
      Don’t mind me, I’ll just go into the dark corner of the room and sulk to myself now…

      Asobi
      Reply

      1. Ah don’t worry! If you do that, I can’t help but visulize the newest RC writer sulking in a dark corner (possibly growing mushrooms)…..
        The humor at your expense and ironic mentions were appreciated. 😉

        Chloesong
        Reply

  18. So I take it you’ll be jumping for the chance to cover the Sword Art Online anime in summer? I’ll be watching it, since the title has been in my backlog of light novels for a while now. It will be good to have the person covering the anime adaptation to already be familiar with the original novels, and inform us on the differences between the two. And that person would probably be you now. =)

    Dusk
    Reply

    1. Give SAO a read. Although a warning that as the volume number increases so does the entertainment level. I recently bought Phantom Bullet. (January in Japan). And it is less interesting. Fortunately, the anime won’t get into that arc. The anime should end at Vol. 4

      deafvader
      Reply

    1. Q1: Let’s see…..Thomas the Tank Engine.

      Alright, alright, honestly? I think it’ll be Accel World, Hyouka and E7:AO. Uchuu Kyoudai and Jormungand also piques my interest.

      Q2: I don’t really have a favorite genre, much like anime I enjoy anything and everything. I guess the stuff I play the most would be FPSes and RPGs? If we’re talking right now, I’m playing devil survivor 2.

      Asobi
      Reply

  23. Congratulations Asobi!
    Nice to see a Ghibli fan on board. Any plans to blog Kokuriko zaka Kara (From up on Poppy’s Hill) when it’s available? I saw it a few weeks ago and love it to bits!
    What’s your favorite Ghibli work? 😉

    Seishun Otoko
    Reply

    1. I can’t tell if there are any plans to blog the upcoming movie.

      As for my favourite Ghibli film, I’d have to go with Spirited Away. As a kid it was one of the most surreal and memorable shows I ever watched, and it continued to astound me with new perspectives to the story as I revisited it over the years. It was also the main reason I went to check out all the other films by the studio, so it really holds a special place in my heart.

      Asobi
      Reply

  25. BA(Hons) Business Marketing & Management Graduate here >:) Capitalism Ho!… I’m still mad Marketing is BA “Bachelor Art” not BSc “Bachelor Science”, it just looks better ¬_¬. Maybe is different where you do it. In any case, have fun writing for RC

    n0216332
    Reply

      1. Bl**dy recolors…but anyways, I’d like to hear your take on the morality of the 3 endings; it seems like there’s a fair amount of controversy brewing around whether they condone, among other things xeno/genocide, dictatorship and/or governmental information/press control…

        Zen
        Reply

      3. So either:
        Show Spoiler ▼

        Da5id
        Reply

  28. Welcome to Random Curiosity Asobi! I hope you’ll have fun writing for RC and for us readers. I will check out your posts for your future shows. I am already looking forward to it.

    Tonameki
    Reply

  31. Welcome to the family! =) I was also super surprised when I saw my “acceptance” email… except I was out for dinner and I couldn’t exactly jump up with excitement lol hope to catch you online sometime!

    Cherrie
    Reply

  40. “…he still decided to take a (IMO poor) gamble with me.”

    Have some confidence in yourself! If this intro post is any indication of your writing capabilities, then I’m sure you’ll do fine. 🙂

    “My life is really, really boring, you know?”

    Then you made the right decision to start blogging; I’m sure it’ll spice things up a little! Nice to have you with us, and and wish you all the best!

    Zen
    Reply

  44. Welcome Asobi! And yes, stopping the Reaper invasion is a completely valid excuse because, well, if the Reapers completely eradicate everyone in the galaxy then we would no longer have animes now would we lol

    Justa_Dream
    Reply

  45. Welcome !! Have you heard of Makoto Shinkai’s last work, Hoshi ou wo kodomo? It was really beautiful artwork. Anyhow, I see that you also like GoT, we’re meant to get along aha 🙂

    I’ll be looking forward your post ~

    maddoki
    Reply

  47. As a fellow Singaporean who applied and did not make it you must have something I don’t orz.

    Jokes aside, I’m absolutely ecstatic that someone on the eastern side of the globe actually made it! Without a doubt you sir are the top favourite coming from me and you definitely have big shoes to fill.

    Totally know how it feels, except for that different ending. I guess I’ll save the rest when we get to know each other better.

    Congrats, and welcome aboard! insert obligatory ORD LO!

    ps: Get an avatar 😛 How can a writer not have one!

    LightnDark
    Reply

  49. Welcome on board mate, which class are you taking for the upcoming war to blog season two of fate/zero?
    Assasin is already taken for as far as i’ve confirmed, so which one will you take?

    Damrod
    Reply

      2. Assasin, caster, berserker and rider where already taken, not sure if someone already took saber so you have the choice between archer, lancer and saber if nobody took her yet.

        Damrod
        Reply

    1. Ahhhhhhhhh!!!! I can’t believe this flew under my radar. I sincerely hope and assume you are talking about the Last Airbender Tv Series, not James Cameron’s movie. It would be so so awesome to have The Last Airbender blogged on RC. Thanks for the fittingly random comment. I would have never known that the sequel to the TV show is coming out this April!

      As to your comment, I would venture a guess that Divine makes the decision whether to blog non-Japanese animation on RC.

      Chloesong
      Reply

  57. Oi oi, another interesting one takes the stage.

    This is the first I’ve seen an RC blogger mention by name a specific piece of Western media (A Song of Ice and Fire). For doing that, and also for liking the series, you get +20 Respect right off the bat…not that it matters any.

    DCLXVI
    Reply

  60. SAO?!? Thank you for that shout out. I’m really happy that one of the new writers is a fan. I’m looking forward to the animation that’s coming out later this year. It’s my one of my favorite LN series.

    Welcome aboard and congratulations. I will definitely be following your shows. 🙂

    Chloesong
    Reply

    1. Edit: After taking a peek at your MAL, it’s almost idential to my viewing experience (minus some sugary shojo shows). It leads me to two questions: what shows do you consider part of the anime golden age? Secondly, why did you drop Brotherhood??

      It’s also interesting that you mentioned your former habit of reading more rather than watching. I’m personally transitioning to more reading, less watching. Do you have any LN recommendations?

      Overall, a very excellent intro. I felt like it was really insightful in showing your preferences and sense of humor, while being personable. I think it’s, ahem, cute when the intro post includes the semi-traditional RC phrase, so kudos for slipping that in. :p

      Consider me a +1 follower. :]

      Chloesong
      Reply

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