2 years, with love
So, in two years…
Mars completes an orbit around the sun.
A growing Banyan tree is repotted.
As per Moore’s law (Intel’s co-founder), number of transistors on a chip doubles.
A baby starts speaking actual words.
Half point to an Olympic game.
Supposed death of a normal aniblogger.
Aniblog Tourney.
Publish more than 400 posts.
Watch more than 300 anime.
Read more than 200 manga.
Is it quitting time for me then?! Like hell.
Seriously, I don’t like repeating trolls; not to mention, follow norm. I might go on a hiatus for a while but I would never retire from aniblogging unless something monumentally upsetting incident happened. Hopefully, I have enough karma for that to never occur as I’m a strong believer of ‘You reap what you sow’. Of course, it was difficult at the beginning when it was just me, blogging four shows per week but things settled down and I got some very talented team members to help me out. In a few months, we’ll be on our five years journey; Metanorn in itself has evolved a lot from the metatr0n that existed in some other time plane. There are rumours that an alternate reality exists and Metanorn Dungeons have a portal to it but hey, I’m here to talk about facts!
It’s been a cool trip and if you had been keeping up with the site, through the years, many changes have occurred and I can only hope for the better. We got too big for shared hosting, our site went down for almost a whole day and we had a lot of problems while shifting to new hosting(s). There were teething problems but there was always a solution. Will helped me out so much during this process, not to mention the continuous moral support that was ever present from the team members. We have literally become a large family and I’m just glad to use all the modern gadgets to stay jacked up connected.
I always keep an ear out for what the readers say and coming from a digital marketing background, I keep tabs on discussion and what the crowd wants. Of course, there are times that the crowd becomes quite demanding but we as a team definitely like to please our readers. And the reason you have been seeing lots of projects that are introduced over and above the usual episodic blogging. My favourites remain to be Met’Amour, Anime’s Next Top Model and MetaVerse but of course, there’s been so many series that I have blogged solo/tag-teaming that every post and project is special to me in its own way. Yep, nothing gets shelved here and we are always working on something.
Personally, my blogging style has evolved from the teeny-bopper feel it had in 2010. Though, it’s still hard to break on words when writing about something I’m passionate about. I mean, that Kara no Kyoukai post took me ages and I wrote a full character profile for the first impression of Fate/Zero. Not to mention a long post is lying around in drafts in anticipation to be released this weekend. However, except for long hauls like them, I would like to incorporate the 3Cs of communication in my writing style: Clear, Concise and Compelling (right term is correct but for aniblogging, this works). Hopefully, I’ll stick to it.
A wisdom I can give to the current anibloggers is not to make summaries long while writing episodics. Nobody much cares except for the highlights and people who read posts are the ones who are already watching the relevant series. Aniblogging is all about discussion and if you are just spending your time in jotting down what happened, don’t expect too many comments. Reel in your readers; give them something new to think about. Heck, even being biased works sometimes, be crazy with theories, make fun of the right stuff and don’t leave even one stone unturned in trying to observe all aspects of what went down. Editorials are great for discussion and well-written reviews/recommendation can get the discussion ball rolling as well. Bottom line, talk to your readers; not just write whatever comes to your mind.
Coming to my own bottom line, in marking these two years, I’ve prepared a treat for the readers of Metanorn. Writing something about Kara no Kyoukai could have been the easiest task but I wanted to challenge myself and did something personal and different. So, you will get three posts this week from yours truly. This is a token of my huge THANKS TO EVERYONE including my humongous aniblogging community including Metanorn Team, Sekijitsu/ DDD/ Daifuuku teams, awesome twitter pals, marvelous commenters on site/twitter/tumblr and even the lurkers to whom I can only say, “Come out, come, wherever you are!” My fandom enthusiasm has definitely escalated through the years and, it’s been a treat! I couldn’t have done it without the supporters so accept my humble arigatou for making it an amazing experience.
Special Post List:
1. 50 Things you didn’t know about me
3. Mahou Tsukai no Yoru Demo Review
About Kyokai
The Boss lady of Metanorn, who makes it all happen. An animanga enthusiast, who watches/reads almost anything that strikes her fancy. Just beware of her Death Perception and always keep her happy. Regularly found at @KyokaiTM & #[email protected].
POWUH: iLurker with 7 comments
Hope many more two-year aniveraries to come~ Congrats~ ^^
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Thank you, Ristlin! ^^
POWUH: Metanorn Lover and NPC #1 with 164 comments
DAWW Kyo,I can’t believe you’ve been around for only two years! You really have been a terrific Boss of Metanorn for revolutionizing this place from when you inherited it and I hope you continue doing so! More power to you and the team! \o/
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Seems like more, doesn’t it? I guess, it helped to have such awesome aniblogging friends. Thanks for the wishes, Foo~ <3
POWUH: 400-499 with 428 comments
Kyokai! Metanorn’s Goddess!
Two years really? Wow, it has felt so much longer than that with all the posts about anime/manga/awesome shenanigans that everyone that crosses this site would have seen. I still remember the days of the original Three Fire Sisters ( 😀 ) cackling away at their plan of world domination but although life has caught up on Kanzeon & Tsui, the passion for aniblogging is still here, and growing with the whole team now!
Thank you Kyokai for all the effort/tender loving care you have put into Metanorn for the past two years and may the passion still burn forever more into the future!
POWUH: Metanorn Lover and NPC #1 with 164 comments
Tsui is a guy though, haha 😀
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
He can be Arararararagi!
POWUH: 400-499 with 428 comments
Tsui is Rukako. TRAP ACTIVATED! 😀
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
@ Reaper, Now that you say, it does seems like more time has passed even when it feels like yesterday that I was a n00b here. Thank you for the kind words and I’m pretty sure my enthusiasm is fueled by awesome commentors and discussions that are rife around every post.
As Foo said, Tsui was a guy. And that was actually a good similie of fire sisters and Araragi, OC. xD Though, there’s something interesting, the first time Junko drew him for our comic, she made him a trap too. xD
POWUH: 400-499 with 406 comments
Woah! Two years? Congrats on this awesome achievement! : D
May there be many more years to come!
Best boss lady Kyokai <3
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Thanks for the wishes, Alynn hon <3
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
Kyokai-sama, we’ll follow you to the ends of the earth! Metanorn will never die!!! *starts cheering**
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
DAWWW, Cools. Thank you! <333
POWUH: 800-899 and Flying Sage with 856 comments
Kyo, you are a true inspiration for the things you have accomplished (and keep accomplishing on a regular basis). I suppose the air must crackle with energy when you walk by. I’m glad you have chosen to channel your amazing power towards the good of the anime community.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Aaah, you flatter me JJB! Thank you for the kind words and I’m simply glad that I found the amazing community of aniblogging fandom to share my enthusiasm. :3
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
Congrats on hitting 2 years, Banchou! <3 May you bestow Metanorn with awesomeness for many more years to come!!!
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Thank you, Kara! <333
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 99 comments
Congrats, Kyokai! You’ve done an incredible job with Metanorn; the anisphere wouldn’t be the same without you. 😀 Here’s hoping to many more!
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Aww man, you guys are making me blush sitting in office! Thanks, Renn! <3
POWUH: 700-799 and Parkouring Fanboy with 776 comments
Congratulations on making it to the 2 year mark! Most anime blogs don’t last that long, much less an individual running one. I haven’t been here long, but I really appreciate everything you’ve done to make me feel welcome and to smooth the transition. And our collaboration posts were fun too! I agree with most of what you write about episodic blogging, and that’s definitely something I’d like to discuss with you further when we get the chance.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Aww thanks, lvlln! Another Type-Moon fan in the team helps and I hope we’ll have even more fun tags in the future. I guess as you write, you discover new things and I’ll look forward to discuss the further possibilities with you. ^^
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
It’s been two years since Metanorn got its start? Congratulations everyone and more to you, Kyokai for making this such a fun site to comment on. I remember I started commenting November of 2010. I didn’t realize that I was so close to the beginning. Here’s hoping there’s more years to come.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Thanks, BB!
It’s been two years since I took over, while Metanorn will be four years old this May. It started with a bubbly aniblogger and then turned into a team blog later in 2010 after I took over. So, you’ve seen the birth of the real meta teamblog. ^^
POWUH: Occasional (51-75) with 58 comments
ahhhh Can’t wait to see what’s in this special post coming up, Kyo >w<
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
I tried to dabble in new things so you will know. <3 Also, did you get contacted by Crunchy reps?! xD
POWUH: Novice (36-50) with 50 comments
It feels like way more than just 2 years. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? Usually time flies by fast, but not in this case it seems! I guess it’s because of all the interesting posts (like game reviews and editorials) and awesome (and FUN!) projects like Anime Top Model and not to forget Met’Amour! I still can’t believe you guys made that, it is so cool and original 😀
For me this site has been way more than a blog that covers anime shows. I don’t know exactly when this happened, but I’m not coming to this site just to read about anime.. I keep coming back because of all the special features this blog offers and because of the writers I have come to like so much (OC, Anaaga, Fosh – don’t ever leave :P), and not to forget its AMAZING Boss Lady! Kyokai, you are the one who made Metanorn as it is today and I’m loving it to bits! Keep it up 😀
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
DAWW, Shey, so many compliments in one day. I think I am getting sugar overdose just from all your sweet comments. >< Thank you for staying put, coming back and keep following Metanorn. The things that you have said really touched me because that is the kind of experience I wanted to provide the readers rather than just another anime reviewing site. ^^
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Congratulations Kyokai! Two years already huh? AMAZING WORK! I am proud to be part of this amazing team with a great boss to lead us <3 <3 <3
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Thanks, Foshy! <333
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Thanks, Kyo, for such a wonderful place to land. I’m an old fart in comparison to many of my peers here, and it’s great that this place has a tone that is accepting, tolerant, and welcoming. That tone must have alot to do with you and your valued team members.
As for the 3 C’s Compelling is it’s own standard, and is a worthy one to reach for. Be careful thou, people like Glenn Beck have the same attitude; and for many his writing style is simply tedious; or at most, inflammatory.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Thank you for the compliments, skylion! And can I ask how old as I always end up thinking being the oldest around here… >.>
And I know 3Cs are a triple-edged sword because there are times you would do everything right but still, that ‘interesting’ quotient would be missing so definitely to be applied carefully.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
I was 8 years old when Space Battle Ship Yamato AKA Star Blazers was first syndicated in the United States. I was six the year Star Wars came out.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Oh Lordy! You are a legend! I’m just glad I won’t be all alone in the fandom love when I grow older. :3
POWUH: 700-799 and Horror Expert with 701 comments
Yay Kyokai!! ‘◡’ 2 years of aniblogging is amazing, and I hope there will be many more years to come! Thanks for all you do to make Metanorn as awesome as it is!
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Thanks, Hawt! <3
And here's hoping to see the team's continued yearly milestones as well! ^^
POWUH: Novice (36-50) with 38 comments
Only 2 years?
Just serves to highlight the difference between you and I. Can’t believe I’ve been in the business longer than you O_o
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Lol, it’s okay, Mushy. *pat pats*
POWUH: Novice (36-50) with 37 comments
You are so adorable, Kyo. Congrats on the two years here, it’s been lovely seeing you guys grow and cover so much and with so much fun. Looking forward to your up-coming posts, as always. 🙂
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Daww, thank you so much hon! >///<
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 83 comments
Congratulations Kyokai!~ It has been a pleasure seeing Metanorn grow and grow with you being one of the main driving force behind it! You’ve always been my role model every since I stumbled upon the anisphere! Long live Kyokai~ 🙂
On behalf of Daifuuku! we’re thanking you for shaping the aniblogsphere and setting and achieving such a high standard^^
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Oh Lordy, what to do about such high-handed compliments? To match up to the continued spiral of quality aniblogging as I’m just glad to be on the ride for having fun. So, all I can say is I’ll keep at it. Thanks, hon! <3
POWUH: iLurker with 2 comments
Congrats on the milestone! I’ve been lurking around Metanorn since Kanzie era and I certainly never thought it would be as big as it is now. You’ve done a great job as a boss lady 😀 Here’s hoping to many more years to come!
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Thank you, minoru, for delurking and the awesome wishes! ^^
POWUH: 500-599 with 543 comments
Wow.. two years.
I’m blown away by that. Two years of aniblogging must have been a lot of work. I’m very happy with Metanorn, seeing as I keep coming back, and it’s great to think that it’s really come this far. Can’t wait to see what’s coming this weekend 😀
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Thanks, Gecko! Seriously to me, these two years don’t seem long at all. And there will be three posts in total, which are brewing in drafts rights now. ^^