12 Days of Anime (2012) – Day 3 – The Aniblog Tourney

As I’ve made an emphasis about the anime community throughout these Twelve Days posts, I figure it’s about time for one of the greatest, most memorable and wholly entertaining events of the year: The Second Anime Blog Tournament or Aniblog Tourney.  With the first one occurring in 2010, before I discovered and read anime blogs, this was the first such event where a majority of the aniblogger community gathered together to share and explore bits and pieces of the community that may have gone unnoticed previously.  Seizing the opportunity, this blog was accepted into the tournament.  However, the act of putting my blog in the Aniblog Tourney is not the reason for it making the Twelve Days list.  Rather, it was the social aspects of the Aniblog Tourney which were the most influential and enduring.

12 Days of Anime (2012) – Day 4 – Awakening to the Sports Genre

Unbeknownst to most, if not all, I am a passionate and fervent sports fan.  All throughout my life, sports has had a fundamental and irreplaceable role.  Even today, I spend more time watching, following, and discussing sports than all my time spent on anime, manga and this blog combined.  You figure it’d only be natural for me to be a fan of sports anime seeing how enthusiastic I am about sports.  Well, for whatever reasons, I never found myself interested or excited about any sports anime, save for Battle Athletes Victory back in the 2000.  In fact, I believe that was the last true sports anime I’ve watched (shows like Softenni do not count).  Then, in Autumn of 2011, I started Chihayafuru, an anime revolving around one girl’s love of competitive karuta.  It wasn’t until well into the second half before I realized I was watching a genuine sports anime.  Not only that, but I was loving it, too!

Robotics;Notes – 3

Though the robots were miniature, the foreshadowing from this fighting tournament is huge considering the implications we can apply to the future of Robotics;Notes.  Though Tanegashimachine-3S could fit nicely within the pupil of GunPro1, the giant robot at the heart of this anime, witnessing its controls, kinetics, and performance for the first time gives us an excellent idea of what to expect from GunPro1 when it is complete and ready for action.  That is to say, though there may be elements of fantasy and fiction sprinkled throughout, we can expect the robots to behave as realistically or as physically-appropriate as possible.

Welcome AniBlog Tourney Voters! – Round 3

For everyone visiting my blog, whether a first-timer or a regular reader, I wish to welcome you to Avvesione’s Anime Blog!

After a rather lengthy wait, the turn for this blog has come again in the AniBlog Tournament.  Voting takes place at the same website as before but, as you may have already noticed, the voting method has been upgraded to a new system and voting is hosted on an external website.  Additionally, this round is distinct as voters will be able to select their 2 favorite blogs out of the 4 available in each round.  I hope to have your continued support in Round 3!  Also, be sure to visit and read the other blogs paired in my group: Baka-Raptor, Metanorn (and check out the podcast of this group, hosted by Metanorn), and Ambivalence , or is it ambiguity?

If you’re interested in checking my blog out, I strongly recommend you browse around and search for posts on whatever anime you like.  The style of this blog focuses more on analysis rather than reviews or opinions, but the format is episodic for a couple shows (Jormungand and Sakamichi no Apollon this season) with everyone else being reduced to Weekly Anime posts.  For those curious about my opinions on this season, my Mid-Season Review has a comprehensive list of all the anime I’m watching including a ranking of every show, scores, reviews, and thoughts on improvement.  If you’re not sure where to start and would like a few examples, please venture on below for some highlights of this blog.

Welcome AniBlog Tourney Voters! – Round 2

Edit: Once again, I want to thank everyone for your continued support for this blog!!  We will be advancing to Round 3 which is a group stage meaning this blog will be against 3 others and the top 2 will advance to Round 4.  Voting is scheduled to begin later this month or in June depending upon when the tournament starts up again.  As always, I hope to receive your support again in the next round.  Also, a round of applause to Rabbitpoets for their excellent sportsmanship and benevolence in this match of the tournament.  Please continue to support their magnificent blog and all your other favorite anime blogs as well.  Thank you.

Whether this is your first visit, you’re here on a regular basis, or you’re somewhere in-between, I wish to welcome you to my anime blog!  The second round of the Aniblog Tournament is already underway and the match I’m participating is now open for voting.  For those interested in the tournament and want to learn more or if you’re curious about where to vote, the Aniblog Tourney is home to all the polls and resources for whatever your needs are for this anime blog tournament.

I can imagine those who’ve been active in the Aniblog Tourney since it began roughly 73 matches (or 136 blogs) ago are already feeling fatigued or weary of exploring or rediscovering yet another blog. If that’s the case, then please enjoy my blog at your own pace.  I realize not everyone has the time or energy to slug through another round of quickly evaluating and subsequently judging 8 blogs, but I do hope your experience here is enjoyable or in some way positive.  I also want to thank you for taking the time to visit my blog regardless of whether I win your vote or not.

For anyone who is up for a challenge or is excited to explore my blog, then here are a few recommendations:

Sakamichi no Apollon – 2

Fear exists in every anime and it manifests itself in varying forms depending on the genre and the characters. In Sakamichi no Apollon, fear is not a foremost aspect; Sentarou is fearless, Ritsuko shows no distress, and Kaoru does surprisingly well given his personality.  But fear exists in Apollon and it is primarily shown in Kaoru’s character as an obstacle to his goals.  Rather than take the popular approach and show Kaoru nervous and timid around the girl of his dreams, conversely it’s quite the opposite with our protagonist, Kaoru’s fear was presented in relation to music, specifically playing jazz in front of others.  Despite his love for the piano, his newfound familiarity in jazz, and the opportunity to join in a spontaneous and groovy jam session, Kaoru declined as best he could.  And as it turns out, it would’ve been a mistake if he didn’t join in.  Though seemingly an inconsequential detail in Sakamichi no Apollon, fear is producing a considerable influence in the anime.

Welcome Aniblog Tourney Voters!

Edit: Everyone, thank you for all your support.  This blog will now be moving onto the second round with voting scheduled for May 4th at 20:00 GMT.  I hope to continue to receive your support in the next round of the Aniblog Tournament.

For all of those visiting my blog from the Aniblog Tourney, I wish to welcome you to my anime blog!  For those of you who aren’t but are curious about the tournament, check out the home page of the Aniblog Tourney and vote!

I realize being in the fourth poll and probably the 7^th or so blog you’ve checked out today, I can only imagine that many of you are already tired after reading so much or scrolling through several new blogs already.  If that’s the case, then let’s keep this short.

My About page has some basic information if you’re curious about me, but I recommend you explore the site at your own pace and read what you want to read.  The anime in the categories side bar have episodic posts though the topics are extremely variable and are often on subjects that interest me or that I think would be good discussion points.  Even more anime are covered here but they are categorized by seasons and often in the format of Weekly Anime with shorter topics for each anime.  For thoughts and reviews on anime, check out the Season Reviews category which includes Season Previews, Mid-Season Reviews, and Season Reviews.  I urge you to find whatever interests you, read it, and enjoy your stay.

If you’re not tired or weary and curious for some of my better posts with links to specific examples, then please, continue on.