Anime Web Turnpike: Guests' Web Picks

The fact that I am writing to you is a pretty big surprise to me. For the most part, I have toiled in obscurity with regard to my work in anime. So it was a surprise to find out that I had been proposed as a guest, but that is life.

Those who have read my fan-fiction (all 3 of you) already know my involvement in anime. For the rest of you, I am the writer/creator of the fan-fiction series "" and "". Both these series are among the first of the kind published on the Internet. KOC was one of the first long-running fan-fiction sequel series having had it's start in 1992. BSSR was the first widely-published cross-over/mergers of "Ranma" and "Sailor Moon". In addition to the stories, we have produced doujinshi for the first few episodes of both series. These are still available via mail order from my .

For myself, my experience with anime started while I was in college. Although I was familiar with "Speed Racer" and "Battle of the Planets" as a kid, I didn't associate them with anime at the time. Andy Combs formally introduced me to anime while we were both attending the University of Texas at Austin. We watched "Dirty Pair", "Maison Ikkoku", "Kimagure Orange Road", and many other titles with several friends from the UT Anime Club. Like most fans, I progressed over the years from watching n-th generations fan-subs to purchasing professionally released titles in the US. Fan-fiction writing came later on a whim after reading the works of Christian Gadeken and Ryan Mathews and the first KOR Movie. In between anime, I play computer games, watch sports, and squeeze in a full-time job as a computer consultant.

If you've ever been to a major anime convention in the last 5 years, you've probably heard of Scott Frazier. One of the first non-Japanese to ever work for and later teach in the anime industry, his page is loaded with various anecdotes. I particularly recommend reading his life story. Many anime writers and artists, myself included, have had private (and not so private) fantasies of actually travelling to Japan and working in the industry that produces the stories and art we love so much. Scott's story helps splash some cold water on the harsh reality of what it actually takes to make it in Japan. Well-worth reading and inspirational in it's own way.

Putting this link is probably superfluous. I found out how superfluous when I asked the question "Who knows Hitoshi Doi?" and got several well-deserved scoffs and a reply "Who doesn't know him?" Nonetheless, for a variety of reasons, I include his link here. Not the flashiest page on the Internet, his anime pages is loaded to the gills with information and content. Among the massive amounts of well-organized and collated data includes the most extensive index of anime voice-actors/actresses available, synopsis, scripts and translations of several anime series, production information and lots more. If you are among the very few who haven't been here, it is well worth the trip.

If you are a KOR fan, chances are you already have this link. For those who are fans of other series and would like to see a fan site that lays it all out, go here. Rob has maintained this site for several years now and his site sets the standard on how to make an extensive fan site for a single series. Tons of links to all corners of the globe, well-crafted and a pleasure to browse.

For most anime clubs, putting their charter on the WWW is a case of limited interest. In No-Name's case, I will likely never visit one of their viewings, or ever become a member. However, I keep coming back to their pages for one reason. Megumi-toons. If you are a fan of Hayashibara Megumi and haven't seen them, go here post-haste.

Arguably one of the most important recent developments in video entertainment, DVDs have gone from being a high-end curiosity to mainstream entertainment media in record time. Along with the tidal wave of titles from the US, anime companies have taken notice as well. For those of you who are interested in taking the dive into DVDs from an anime point of view, this site is well-worth reading. Regularly updated with multiple reviews of anime DVDs, news of upcoming titles and releases, petitions to professional companies for DVD release, forums, and more, this site has it all.

Anipike not being responsible for Acts of God or the vaguaries of humans ;)
this column will appear 'as and when' articles come in. New articles will
be announced on the "New List" page. (So original, da yo..^^)

Would you like to suggest a guest? Write Nikkou.