Today marks the day when Anime Viking has become two years old. Two years! It is hard to believe I was in my final year of high school when I started this blog. Certainly it does not feel like such a long time has passed.
Looking back at my older posts fills me with a rather weird feeling. Did really I write them? The same person who is here today? You could say that Anime Viking has sort of become a diary in that sense. It is possible to see how I have evolved as a writer over time, even if it is not by much.
But still. Two years of anime blogging. While I have taken a more relaxed approach when it comes to blogging, with perhaps a little less posts than usual, it does not feel like I can see any end to it. I now enter the so-called “Second Year Death of Anime Blogging”, yet I do not sense any worry.
I write because it is fun. In addition, it is a good way to keep my English and writing skills somewhat intact now that I no longer study those subjects. Not to mention that I become incredibly happy when I am able to share my posts on official anime websites, since that is the closest I will ever be to achieving my foolish dream of becoming a full-fledged writer.
Before I end this post I would like to ask a question to those of you who read the blog:
“Do you enjoy Anime Viking?”
You are free to answer however you want. Is there anything you like, dislike or want to be changed? Or is it something in particular you want to see on the blog? The only thing I am asking for is that you are honest.
But for now, it is time to continue this little blogging journey of mine.
Who knows how it will go?
Anime Viking 
Good luck and congratulations!
What really killed my blogging time wasn’t running out of ideas/excitement, but running out of time, when I began working full time. I even stopped watching anime for a while – that’s the problem with multiple hobbies, it’s hard to do – and Starcraft 2 overtook me. But then I began watching anime again, and “recently” (April 1st) blogging again.
I hope things go well for you, including when you enter the working world. I still have issues juggling multiple hobbies though, at least since I began watching over 12 shows a season >.>
And I don’t know your blog well enough to answer that question yet :3
Thanks!
Personally I feel that I will have more time when I am working rather than studying, but then again, I lack the experience so I have no clue. I mainly write during my evenings/nights.
And I suffer with you regarding multiple hobbies. It seems you also like video games, which is rather time-consuming when combined with anime 😦
Your blog is great. I’ve never commented before, but I like it. Even if we don’t always agree on everything (though I’ve noticed that our taste is similar more often than not), I think you present your opinions and such concisely and intelligently. You generally write with a respectful tone, and I greatly appreciate that. I hope you continue to enjoy anime blogging for many years to come!
The sense of time progression and “was I really like that!?” applies quite readily to me as well. Looking back on many of my old blog posts, I think “wow this guy is annoying, I hate him.” We’re always maturing, and it’s important to remember our roots to progress as writers, as well as our mistakes so that we can learn from them.
Please write about anime until you are tired of it. 😀
Oh, you also blog? I had no idea 😮
Now you’re flattering me! I cannot judge myself, but you are exaggerating a little, right?
With that said… thank you!
Ah, yeah, I share it with my friends and it’s not too popular, though (probably for good reason, our old posts were awful). We also do recordings of visual novels and stuff like that on YouTube. I saw you post the SAO 16.5 reading we did. 😉
I always exaggerate, it’s my personality. But I really do mean what I said!
HOLY CARP
First of all, congratulations! I hope you can continue doing what you like >o<!
Now, for this…
“Do you enjoy Anime Viking?”
I began reading this blog quite recently, but I find it really enjoyable to read and I like seeing your, and the visitors, opinions about the things that are posted. I really hope you can keep blogging and having fun with it, as I'll keep reading on an on!
Oops, forgot something~ I don’t know if you’re a fan of visual novels, but it would be cool to see your opinions about it (or about games you’ve played) from time to time c:
Afraid I don’t play visual novels except for Ace Attorney and Zero Escape for (3)DS. I’d like to try something else one day, though. Do you have any good recommendations?
As for games… I mainly want to write about anime. I thought about this a long time before I started Anime Viking, but came to the conclusion that letting the blog have a single focus would be for the best. Perhaps I might write about some game close to my heart (Pokemon, Recettear, you name it), but I wouldn’t count on it.
I could recommend you some classics like Clannad or Little Busters!, bot from Key (funny, and tearjerkers D:!), but it would be best to begin with something like Katawa Shoujo or Da Capo II. The first one is a western made visual novel (but it’s unique, one of the best out there), and the second is best known for it’s anime. You should try some D: I know a lot of people doesn’t really like them, as it’s a game where the only thing you do is reading and choosing options from time to time (there are some with gameplay, though), but they’re really amazing when you come to like them, it’s a really cool experience.
I see, it’s a nice mindset, sticking to only anime so you can be more focused on what to blog c: I was just wondering when I asked, I’ll keep reading anyway : D!
I’ve watched the Clannad anime and am currently watching Little Busters, so those are out.
Katawa Shoujo, huh… that’s one I’ve had my eyes on. It’s supposed to be somewhat more accessible to newcomers, I think?
You should play these two visual novels someday if you feel like it though! It’s a different experience, and more complete compared to the anime (as each route focuses in something different; I’ll always love Kotomi’s route or Kurugaya’s >uo<
You should play these two visual novels someday if you feel like it though! It’s a different experience, and more complete compared to the anime (as each route focuses in something different; I’ll always love Kotomi’s route or Kurugaya’s <3)
About Katawa, it's newbie friendly and it is, indeed, quite accessible! It has it's own page (I don't know if it's okay to post a link, but it's easy to find just googling the title) were you can download it for free. It even has options to skip the 'mature' content, for those who don't like the "kinky" side of visual novels, and it doesn't affect the history in any way : D
Sorry for the double reply, but the last post had some weird html issue (damn me for using the tag key as an emoticon xD)
Thanks, I’ll do my best 🙂
You are fresh, I like it a lot when you are posing questions, and I think you’re doing a great job keeping this house of yours up. So no worries; keep walking 😉
“Fresh”, huh? 😛
Fun to see that you like the “question posts”, since those are the ones I really enjoy to write (apart from posts with slight personal touch). But they are also really hard to write, hence why there are only a handful (two?) actually posted. The rest remains as drafts/ideas >_<''
I'll do my best and keep on walking 😉
Congratulations!
Your blog is one of the first anime blogs that I’ve come to read when I’m “kind of” researching about what kind of blog should I put up. Instead of intimidation, I felt more inspired to create one upon reading Anime Viking. I really love your writing style because you’re not arrogant which is welcoming to everyone.
Hope you continue this blog being the way it is, with some improvements, as I’ll always be reading your posts (though i don’t comment that much) 🙂
Thank you 🙂
Glad to see you being able to use Anime Viking when you want to write something. I tend to do the same myself with other blogs, so I can relate.
Anything in particular, or do you just mean in general?
I’m curious: out of all the posts you’ve written in your two years of blogging, which would you consider to be your personal favourites? In any case, congratulations, and I sincerely hope you keep up the good work 🙂
I’ll keep it up! And you too, I hope 😉
As for my favorite posts… it’s hard, to be honest, but here are three I enjoyed:
– https://animeviking.wordpress.com/2013/07/25/will-you-still-watch-and-enjoy-anime-as-you-grow-older/
– https://animeviking.wordpress.com/2012/09/14/anime-is-not-getting-worse-we-only-lack-perspective/
– https://animeviking.wordpress.com/2012/12/14/12-days-of-christmas-12-when-natsume-yuujinchou-said-farewell/
There are more I could mention, but these three are examples of what was not only fun, but also easy, to write (at times blogging can take too long). My hands moved at their own. I’d say that my last 10 or so posts have been enjoyable, actually.
Are there posts you enjoy a little bit more than normal here on Anime Viking?
The ones that stood out to me were a) the posts you researched for, like the series on fansubbing and the post about constructive criticism in the aniblogsphere, and b) the ones that felt very personal to your life. I especially liked your Psycho Pass post. Made me feel very wistful.
Ah, well, I like that Psycho Pass post myself too… but it was more as a way to relieve stress than anything else. I’ve never felt so good after writing as that one time.
Congrats on two years! I personally enjoy reading your editorials a lot and hope you’ll keep them up for many years to come!
There’s a question I always like to ask people who have blogged anime for quite a while, whether they blog episodically or in the form of editorials: how do you feel blogging anime has changed your view and enjoyment of it? Do you find it harder to enjoy in a pure form now that you try to look at it from a slightly more objective perspective? It’s always interesting to see how thoughts vary on the topic.
This reminds me I should do more editorials…
Thanks for the congratulations!
It’s hard to say if blogging has affected me in some way when it comes to enjoying anime, but I would like to say that it hasn’t. On the other hand, I’d argue that constantly talking about anime with people (e.g. on Twitter) might do that. If I see a comment on how the newest episode of an anime is bad, I will have that stored in my mind as I watch said episode. Now, this might make me more aware of what happens and if it’s bad or not. And so on. It’s rather rare, but it doesn’t bother my anime time that much (at least I think so).
I don’t feel like I have to like or dislike certain anime just because I blog, nor do I think that I need to look at anime from an objective perspective. I watch to have fun and that’s it. If something bothers me, I will point it out. If I like something, I will mention it. If I give an anime a low score it’s not because I feel like I have to be “professional” – that is nothing but silly – but that I simply didn’t enjoy it that much.
Something along these lines, I guess 🙂
🙂 Congrats…
Blogging is a personal thing and takes time and dedication… to keep it up even with infrequent posts for two years your doing very well 😀
I started a blog (almost a year ago) on a whim and then kept at it as I found it enjoyable and fun though time is an issue…
I think one of the other comments above is right, work and other hobbies do sometimes cause issues.
But well done, keep it up and keep enjoying it 🙂
Think it helps when you get people comments, opinions etc positive or negative as long as there constructive there usually good 😀
Blogging can be time-consuming, yes. And it seems as if you blog episodically, which must take even more time. I have no idea how you can manage!
And thanks 🙂
Doesn’t even have to be constructive (even if I prefer that)!
its okay… just that you post once in a full moon. you should try to start on writing at least 1 ongoing anime series.
how much do you pay for the server?
Last time I did that, which was the second half of Sword Art Online, it ended up completely eating my time away. Then again, I blogged it with another person which makes it take more time (but it was worth it; it was so much fun to do).
I just have to find a good anime to write about, one that I can talk about without forcing myself. These anime happen to be rare, too, so even if I wanted to write episodically it might not even happen in the near future. 😦
Hope you like Anime Viking anyway!
I don’t pay anything! I use WordPress.com, which is completely free unless you pay for additional services (such as a custom domain name or access to CSS).
Congrats, wow 2 years huh. I think im about to already have clocked 2 years as well.
I like Anime Viking its one of the very few good “editorial” blogs. Nothing against episodic blogging (i just dont like to be spoiled and im usually a few weeks behind)
Keep at it Bro 🙂
There aren’t even that many so-called “editorial” blogs left! 😦
I could write out more of them, though. Only 1/3 of all posts are that!
Thanks for enjoying the posts. Makes me glad. Will do my best to stay alive 🙂 (and you try to do the same!)
I’m a new reader too, and I like what I read 🙂 Had no idea you were writing this for 2 years though. I only wish I had the strength to watch more shows at once.
The one thing in anime blogging is that everyone is entitled to their own opinion of shows. Therefore I don’t believe in writing ‘safe’ posts to please the readers.
And something completely irrelevant, have you ever thought about your own domain name?
You wish you had the strength to watch more shows… I wish I had the strength to watch less! >_>
Good to hear that you like what you read!
Naturally, I’ve thought about that. But there are many things to take into account.
Anime Viking is not a huge blog in terms of visitors (roughly 10,000 views per month) and from what I’ve gathered using a custom domain (i.e. animeviking.com) would actually make the SEO worse.
But at the same time, having a custom domaind would feel nice. And it would be prettier to look at.
Plus, if I go with a custom domain, why not just go with WordPress.org at the same time? And that would be a pain. And cost a lot.
At the moment everything works well. I only have used 9% of the allocated media space, the SEO is good… there is no need as of yet.
When Anime Viking reaches 3 years I will give it further thought. Now, however, it would be unnecessary and risky.
I actually hit almost the 20% mark in my allocated media space, a bit faster than usual D: Still got a lot of space for now, but I might need to think of something…
20% in 2 years isn’t that bad. That means you could continue for 8 more years!
I just use Flickr and such :3
@Guy: Why would you use Flickr and stuff instead of WordPress? Or have you actually managed to fill all the space?
I never used the space, because the mere concept of having space I can run out of worries me, which isn’t a consideration with Flickr.
Also, IIRC that space used to be much smaller, like 50 MBs, when it was first introduced, and I got used to using Flickr back then :3
@Guy Indeed. Since I still got a lot of space left, it’s fine for now. But I may consider switching to flickr soon, lol. Also, out of habit, and perhaps paranoia with my space, I had been manually reducing the size of each images on photoshop, lol.
10,000 a month?!?! The best I’ve ever had is 51!!! I’m such a nobody!!! XD
That’s very little. Are you using tags, categories and things like that?
Marow is right, you need to use categories such as “Anime” and tags such as “Monogatari, Kyoukai no Kanata”, etc. which will allow people who look for others’ blogs to find yours. Also use the alt-text of images to use relevant terms such as “Anime – Monogatari 2nd season 3rd episode – Tsubasa Tiger” to help with the google results.
Sign up on animenano.com and antenna.animeblogger.net, it might not do much, but it’ll be a beginning.
Also, episodic reviews do tend to get less traffic on wordpress.com and more on tumblr when they’re on the shorter side, consider setting up a tumblr account and having your wordpress posts automatically send notifications there via “publicize”.
Congrats on 2 years =D Your post here just reminded me that my blog turned 7 years old about a month ago and I forgot all about it! I guess after you’ve had a blog/web site for so many years, the anniversaries become harder to remember =P
But anyway, keep up the excellent work!
Thanks! I really enjoy reading your blog, it’s one of my favorites, so at least try to remember your blog’s birthday! >_<
7 years, huh? That's a crazy amount of time, especially considering how often to write. Can you share your secret?
😀
Congrats on two years of coolness.
I like the fact you say it like it is and do not hold back whenever you post things. Here’s to more years of Anime Viking forum and blog pillaging..
No point to blog if you don’t want to say what you want, right? 🙂
And I’ll stay cool for hopefully many more years! Thanks, dood!
Just celebrated mine sometime ago, and kinda expecting yours to come out soon 😀
Anyway, congrats!
Oh, you’re right. Congrats to you 😀
And thank you!
“You are free to answer however you want. Is there anything you like, dislike or want to be changed? Or is it something in particular you want to see on the blog? The only thing I am asking for is that you are honest.”
This is easy: just try and post once a week you fooolllllll =p
Other than that and to make sure you look over your work (for misspellings and such, I’ve caught a few in your recent posts), nothing else needs to be changed. Just keep on blogging…and somehow make it to year 3!
I know, I know, I should try to write more often. But it’s nice not to feel any pressure 😦
And will do! I haven’t really done any proofreading for quite a while now (it took a long time since I can be nitpicky). I’ll try checking the posts a little from now on.
And I’ll make it to 3! 😀
Though i do not read anime blogs much, Anime Viking is one among the few blogs i read in past before i started blogging. Nice to see this blog is still going strong . *My best wishes *
Oh, that’s fun to hear. And this blog will continue going strong. Thank you!