We have our first round of winners of our ongoing letter contest! Your comments are the best indicator of our performance, so we here at EX urge you to keep that e-mail coming. Rest assured that we do read all the mail that we get.


From: Chris Sypal (csypal@radiks.net)

First off, EX has been one of the best English anime magazines I have read. The articles are intelligent, diverse (they focus on both import and domestic releases), and non-biased (especially to certain translation techniques).
Another big plus: no frames! Yes, there are intelligent people out there, who know how to design a page without resorting to an annoying, cheap gimmick. And boy do they know how design a page. They are simple, yet effective.
The reviews were extremely helpful. Birdy, Marie, and Maze were titles that I had a borderline interest in, yet I haven't heard any details. So getting some info on them was a great help.
One slight correction, if I remember right, JVC/Books Nippan's CDS have a SRP of $17.95. (Still, it's much better than the import price). Thanks for the info on their upcoming releases. I just wish they would do a little more promotion themselves, because there too many people out there that don't know they can get these great soundtracks, at these great prices.
The "Common Experiences of an Anime Fan", was simply hilarious. This is mainly because...it's all true!
Now my biggest comment/correction concerns the first issue (yea, I'm a little late on sending this), and one particular sentence in the TENCHI: THE MOVIE soundtrack review:
Released on 24 April 1996, this
soundtrack is the second Japanese anime
soundtrack done exclusively by an American
composer (the first being PROJECT A-KO), and
the only Japanese animated movie
soundtrack done by an American composer.
PROJECT A-KO was a movie, thus also making it the first movie soundtrack by an American composer. Also, I think that there are a couple of other shows that have had American composers ("JoJo's Bizzare Adventures" comes to mind).
Keep up all the good work, and I can't wait for the next issue (since I'm a biiig Production IG fan.)

(BTW, what's your submissions policy, in case I feel like reviewing something?)

Chris,

You're right. I checked with Books Nippan and the Standard Retail Price of the JVC CDS is in fact $17.95; the information we had received had an incorrect price. And more people should be aware and take advantage of these great CDS.
As for the whole "who is the first American composer to do an anime film", I'm afraid Christopher Franke is out of the running. Why? Because he's not American, he's German! Still, having a Western composer write the music for anime is still something of a novelty rather than a norm.
Thanks for the comments on the design and the content. We will continue to do our best.
And by the way, congratulations on being one of the first winners of our ongoing Letter Contest! You had something to say and you said it. And we liked it.


 
From: Jon Souza (NoDUI@worldnet.att.net)

Congratulations! I have just two questions-

1)How does one submit a article to EX?
2)Is there a style sheet you want to adhere to?

Well, I guess it's time to address the submissions policy. Meaning that I'll have to make one up off the top of my head as we don't have an official policy. Basically, if you are interested in writing something for EX, you should mail me (mughi@hacks.arizona.edu) expressing your desire to do so. Also, please be specific as to what you'd like to review. "I'd like to review the upcoming six volume Sailor Moon Perfect Vocal Collection Set," will be much more likely to receive a favorable response than, "I wanna write somethin' for you guys."
We encourage submissions from our readers; in fact, several of our readers have since joined the staff as writers or HTML crew. Please contact me if you would like additional information.


 
From: Xavier Guilbert (xguilbert@ubisoft.fr)

Hi! to all of you at Ex.
First thing to say: you E-Zine is one of the best I've encountered on the Net, with intelligent articles and adult thinking. As I've said, one of the best features dealing with anime and manga available on the WWW. So, keep the good work up! (Please forgive my English, it may be faulty sometimes...)
A suggestion to improve it: make it available off-line, that is, build up a Zip-file with all the HTML-pages, and let us download it. Because we don't always have the time (and Time is Money, even on the Net) to read the whole mag' through. Please.
One other little thing maybe... What about an Index Page, to know straight away if our favorite series is featured in this new issue.
I guess that's all I could find for criticizing... And I can't wait till the 27th of September.
See ya on the Web,

Xavier,

Thanks for the input. As of this time, we have no immediate plans to put up a downloadable file of current issues of EX. We will look into this matter and see if we can be more accommodating in the near future.
With the expanded Table of Contents page, we hope that finding your favorite shows will be easier. Perhaps in the future if time allows we will be able to provide a search engine to search the pages of all issues of EX.


 
From: Brian Barnes (bsfeb@aone.com)

Well I think EX is getting better with each issue. Number 3 was the largest so far. I think your coverage was good and I liked the mix of articles. I think you might even be competition for Viz's Animerica if you were on the same type of media. Of course, being free on the net helps.

Brian,

Thank you for the encouragement. Yes, Issue 3 was an unusually large issue with both the AIC articles and Fred Schodt's interview. As a result, this month's issue may seem a bit smaller, but I hope that it's every bit as good as the last issue.
Being "free and on the net" does have some advantages, but it also has some very real disadvantages, too. Not everyone has access to the world wide web, no matter what the folks at Microsoft will tell you, and that limits our audience. We rely on you, our readers, to inform others of our existence and help to spread the word.


 
From: Alexander Ko (grasshopper@globalpac.com)

When I first heard about your site through the promotional materials posted at Anime Expo 1996, I was a bit reluctant to go to your web site. I just didn't really bother visiting web sites with on-line news because of the amount of time needed and the enormous number sites available.
The only reason I visited the first time was because of the love and appreciation I have for Japanese animation. I have certainly changed my attitude (well, at least about visiting this site) and have continued to visit this site, and thoroughly viewed this site page by page. Whether it's the interviews, experiences, reviews, or columns, it really covers all the bases on animation news here and overseas that you probably won't be able to find anywhere else. I began visiting this site from issue one, and this site continues to evolve and improve itself issue after issue. Keep up the good work! And if you need anyone to help with proofreading, writing, or more letters, I'll be more than glad to help.
Now if only my Japanese was better...

Alexander,

Thanks for that very nice (and totally unsolicited!) testimonial. Comments like these are the reason that we continue to push ourselves to put out another issue. And, to be honest, sometimes it gets difficult. But this kind of mail quite literally makes it all worthwhile.
One of the strengths of EX is, I believe, the fact that we have such a diverse staff. We have representatives from the West Coast, the Southwest, the Midwest, the East Coast, and even Canada. And we are all at different stages in anime fandom. Some of us have been involved in anime and fandom for years, and some others are still new to the crazy world of fandom and the way it does--and doesn't--work.
It pleases me to be able to award you the first prize in EX's first contest--the Letters Contest. Please send me your snail mail address and I will send your Dragonball Z hologram card to you.


 
From: Donald Mathews (DMatthews@globeandmail.ca)

Just wanted to say thanks for putting together EX. I look forward to each issue.
Issue 3, though, was missing the 'Remote Access' feature. Now I don't especially need to know the on-air schedule for the new TV anime, but I really liked your capsule descriptions of the new shows. It's surprisingly hard to find this info elsewhere, in English anyway. I hope this feature will return in some form in future issues.

Donald,

Thanks for the kind words. I, too, look forward to each issue coming out because it means that I'll have a little time to recover before I start work on the next issue.
Remote Access was zapped for Issue 3 because we didn't have anything further to add. However, it's back in Issue 4, and Egan Loo has the scoop on many of the new shows that will be on the air in Japan this fall.
As these new shows begin airing, we'll do our best to keep you appraised of what's terrific and what's trash.


 
From: Tom Dary (icsmad@execpc.com)

To the point: Great looking web-zine. I found that your site and style was a good mix of images, pictures, and articles. The topics that you cover are just the kind I am looking for.

Keep up the great work.

Thanks for the kind words. We hope to be able to surprise you in future issues with what we've got planned.


 
From: Les Jenkins (Dream@cris.com)

Howdy.

Just wanted to take a moment and drop some general comments on your web-magazine. I'd heard about it from a fellow anime fan and stopped by and am impressed with what I've found. Although I thought some of the teeth gnashing with regards to dubbed anime was a bit much, I found the reviews to be fair and evenhanded regardless of whether the series was dubbed or subbed and the content worth spending the time to read. I especially liked the improvement in the layout in Issue 3.

Thanks for taking the time to read my comments.

Les,

Thanks for the compliment. We try and be fair about our reviews, and to cover the dubs as well as the subtitles.
I think it's only fair, though, to take a minute and explain some things about our reviews. Reviews are, in large part, based on personal opinion. Some people are perfectly happy watching dubs, and then again, some aren't. There are many possible reasons for this, as explained in this month's sure to be controversial RIAP Writes, as Chad talks about some of the factors that go into dubbing anime.
Personally, I am not a big fan of dubs, and often go out of my way to avoid them. The last dub I saw was Blue Seed Volume 3, and while it was ok, the voice acting was definitely not the same caliber as it was in the original. And voices are a large part of bringing an animated character to life.
Of course, a big problem for many longtime fans is that they associate a particular voice with a particular character, and it is usually quite a shock to hear a totally different (and often what is perceived as "wrong") voice come out of the character's mouth.
Subs versus dubs will always be a matter of preference, up to the individual. And, as long as that choice remains available to the fans, I will be happy (and I'll pick subtitled every time). :) 




One of the Dragonball Z trading cards. Unfortunately, the hologram doesn't scan...
Decision '96

Sub or Dub?

In the hoopla surrounding the campaigning for the Presidential election, we often lose sight of what's really important--anime! Thus, I am initiating the first EX survey.
I'm interested in what you, our readers, think. Which do you prefer--subtitles or dubs, and why? Write in with your answers, and we'll publish the results in the next issue of EX.
In addition, keep that e-mail coming. We still have a lot of DRAGONBALL Z cards to give away! These cards were donated by Books Nippan and are special hologram cards mounted on a cardboard backing. These cards are unavailable for purchase in the United States, so these are truly unique items.
Keep in mind that "best" is a subjective thing, and totally subject to the whims of the Editors. Flattery will not necessarily make you a winner. I can't give you specifics as to what will make you a winner, but I can share with you the sure-fire ways to get disqualified:

  • WRITE IN UPPER CASE. This will guarantee immediate rejection.
  • fail to use capital letters at the start of sentences or when using words like ranma and macross.
  • Use inane words and phrases such as 'Ranma sucks' or 'Robotech rocks'.
  • Use punctuation in an inappropriate and outlandish fashion !!!!??????
  • one-liners such as "Your mag rocks, gimme the cards!" will be disqualified immediately.
  • Profanity and personal attacks will also wind up in the trashcan.

In general, it's best that you have something to say. So let's hear from you!

Our Mail Policy:

We read all of the mail we receive. Readers who submit mail may receive personal replies via e-mail, a reply in the letter column, or in some instances, both.
All letters sent to EX (or any of its staff regarding the magazine) are eligible for inclusion in the letter column. Letters may be edited for clarity and brevity. If you don't want your e-mail address printed, please tell us. If you would prefer that your letter not be published at all, please inform us of this as well.