Travels and Tribulations
Posted by 0rion on December 17th, 2008 - 1:47 pm
Sheesh, I leave for a couple months and all the anime bloggers start dying off faster than the cast of a Key game. Or perhaps Higurashi would be a more appropriate metaphor, since true bloggers never really die, they just go nuts every once in a while and then eventually everything resets.
Speaking of which, I think we’re about ready to open up shop again here at Epic Win. It’s been a long and busy year, but fortunately things are starting to settle down finally. Having just finished the JLPT level 2 (bleh), along with a couple big deadlines at work, I’ve switched to consumption mode and am busy working through my to-watch backlog. Oh, and if anybody has any recommendations for stuff from this year you think I should be checking out, feel free to let me know.
So far, from among the currently broadcasting series, I’ve gotten current with Soul Eater, Kannagi, ToraDora, Xamdou, and Index. I’m also working my way through other series from earlier in the year that I didn’t have time to follow. In addition, I rewatched a couple of my older favorites – Utawarerumono and Black Lagoon. Both are awesome series that I highly recommend, by the way.
This picture is supposed to represent myself and Guff, or something. You know, if we were cute Japanese highschool girls, that is… don’t try to think about that too hard.
You know, I find it interesting that the most common reason I see given by bloggers who are taking a break is, “Sorry, I’m out of ideas.”
While we haven’t posted as much recently, I have to say, one thing we’ve never been short on here is fun ideas for the blog. Our only difficulty has been just plain lack of time, both for watching and for writing. I’m confident that as long as we can make time for it, we’ll be here blogging at Epic Win for a long, long while to come. Of course, at the same time, it really pains me to look back through all those unfinished drafts here in Wordpress, and all the unfinished series in MAL I need to catch up on.
Anyway, as much as I usually abhor making posts about posting, I figured after a good four months of silence we owed our readers at least some measure of explanation. For my own part, it’s been the combination of my very time-consuming occupational pursuits, some prolonged illness, and more focused Japanese studies. And yes, as much as I hate to admit it, my push to get Gladiator for arena season 4 probably had something to do with it, too… *ahem*
If you have no idea what that means, don’t worry, you’re better off that way. =P
Because grape hippo is awesome.
As for Guff, true to his avatar, he seems to have been off gallivanting across the world pursuing the Ginko lifestyle… I’ll let him fill you in himself, though.
Well, after finishing my Japanese studies in Sapporo this summer, only one thought plagued me constantly – the thought of returning back to that little bakery in Matsumoto. However, during my travels I somehow made a gross miscalculation and ended up here at the University of Aberdeen instead, and as we all know Scotland is categorically not a Japanese bakery filled with delicious sweets.
Look I can explain… in the endeavor to achieve my dream of becoming like Ginko, traveling throughout the globe selling homemade apothecary remedies, smoking merrily, and offering sagacious wisdom to all, I somehow ended up arriving in Aberdeen: a cold city bereft of both curry rice and Pocari Sweat.
After stumbling about fruitlessly in search for some sign of civilization - a ramen shop, a Gamers, a Family Mart, even just a cigarette vending machine, it became painfully obvious that I had made a Ryoga caliber logistical error.
I’m the map, I’m the map, I’m the map.
So, while my attempt to be as fearlessly cool as Ginko has ended in colossal failure, I did at least manage to find a place that would entertain my fascination with “t3h animus” in a serious academic environment. Or they might simply be too kind to inform me that I’m not actually enrolled in the University and are just waiting for the day that security escorts me off the premises and revokes my library card.
I’ll say this, the fact that I can receive credit from a degree granting institution on a postgraduate level for writing about obscure artists, philosophy, and anime is quite WIN indeed. In other personal related news of the less disastrous variety, I’ve also submitted my application to the JET program in hopes, though the prospect of me attempting to educate impressionable young children is probably laughable to the people currently reviewing my application. We’ll see how it goes.
We didn’t go crazy we GATTAI’ed!
Welcome back by the way~
[...] to somehow grace my blos in these dark dark depths which others have somehow managed to discover. Go, comment, and let’s see if we can get this show back on the road. [...]
Whoa, guys! I’ve been waiting for you to post something new but it’s been months! I missed your hilarious bloggings. Glad you’re back
“And yes, as much as I hate to admit it, my push to get Gladiator for arena season 4 probably had something to do with it, too”
But did you get it? That’s the important part! :p
“But did you get it? That’s the important part!”
Yes, I did, and now I’m done with that particular rat race for a while.
Hahaha, I tried back in S3, but being a Hunter in arena really sucks and I’m not really all that good
Good to see you’re still alive guys (Aberdeen?! I know Edinburgh is a great place but that’s as far north as I’m prepared to go…for any reason). The fact that so many of us remember who you are says it all. ^_^
I’d recommend Xam’d: Lost Memories, Natsume Yuujinchou and of course there are OAVs for Lucky Star and Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei too. Off the top of my head I’m not sure what else you’ve REALLY missed. There’s been a lot of good stuff lately but not as much outstanding, if that makes any sense at all.
But yeah, hiatus disease is a bit endemic at the moment. Personally I’m running low on time and energy more than anything (cramming in lots of overtime at work) so the festive season, a time of being with family and friends and generally being AFK a lot anyway, was a good time to take a couple of weeks off to
eat and drink a lottake a break. Have a good christmas gents, and I look forward to reading more of your posts in 2009!Nice to see the both of you back, since 0rion’s had his own walkabout around the blogs.
I’d already say that the show you are watching are good shows to watch already. But a favorite of mine for this season is Ga-Rei Zero.
Good to see you guys posting again, hopefully it will stick this time!
As far as good shows, what I have seen of Kurozuka has been quite excellent, as the guys from Madhouse bring us more stylish and over the top bloodshed with an interesting story to boot. I’ve heard similar things about the new Casshern, although I have yet to check it out.
Anyways, I look forward to reading your next post, and until then good luck with the application process and merry Christmas (and happy all that other stuff too).
Please to be sticking around a bit longer this time? Ty so much.
Welcome back guys.
Less talk, more blog. Chop chop!
w00t! okaeri! you guys just love being missed, don’t you XD
As other ones before me have said, hope you’ll stick around [more] this time around!
[...] The Resurrection of Epic Win. [...]
I discovered EpicWin at about the time of your anniversary post, and while I was sad this coincided with your hiatus, I did have the luxury of skimming through a year’s worth of win while you were away.
Now you’re back and I’m a new fan, so here’s to 2009!
[...] saying ‘welcome back’ are pleasant, but not necessary – this is potentially much more [...]
KITA!!!!!!! Its about time!!!! Glad to see your back in business