Curtain Call: Animefringe Says Farewell
Join the staff of Animefringe, past and present, as we reflect on six years of articles and fond memories.
Yes, this really is the end. While this may be the final issue of Animefringe, all 72 issues will remain online in our archive. So we hope that you'll still come and visit.
As this is our final issue, the staff of Animefringe would like to express their final thoughts and offer up a few thanks to everyone that has contributed and supported us throuhgout the years. We're going to hand off the mic now to our most recent staff with Tim, Lesley and Shannon and work our way back to our oldest with Steve and Adam. You might even see a few familiar faces from days of old mixed in. We've strived to include farewells from as many Animefringer Team members from our six year history as we could contact, but we've had a lot of team members over the years, so any that we may have missed will have their farewells added to this page retroactively.
From everyone here at Animefringe, we hope that you've enjoyed reading Animefringe just as much as we've loved making it!
Dual Conclusions
by Tim Henderson (Staff Writer/Assistant Graphics Editor, '05)
...And so the road split into multiple paths, and with the slight drizzle of rainwater dripping rhythmically from his fringe, Tim stood at the daunting intersection and began to ponder.
"Why's that chipmunk eating that beach ball? Where did it get that beach ball? And does this all mean that I'll forever be known as 'the new guy'?"
There were, of course, numerous other things that went through my head as well. The key one was sadness, sadness of a very straight forward sort, uncorrupted, like the first time you heard Crowded House sing "Don't Dream it's Over" (you know, before it became obvious that it was one of the most over-played songs in history). The second was relief, relief that I was stupid enough to join the team part-way through an insanely busy year at University rather than do the logical thing and wait until December, when I would finally have free time. The third was distress, something that came with the realization that I would have very little to do just as soon as I would have the time to do it...that is, if it were there to do. You know. Perhaps I should have also questioned exactly what a chipmunk was doing in Sydney, but the thought simply didn't cross my mind at the time.
When I started to write for Animefringe and hang around with the staff earlier this year, I had no idea just how attached I would become. There has been a great sense of community within the magazine's monthly creation, and it's a little upsetting to think that, by the time you read this, we're probably all beginning to drift off in our own separate directions. Big thanks to Adam and Steve for bringing this together for all six years that it lasted, though, even if I was only around for the last of those. I'm certainly going to miss Animefringe as a reader, also. I love the monthly format and the priority on the actual stuff itself, and proper time given to reports, rather than rapid-fire updates, and I'm still unsure that there is anything out there that is ready to fill the gap.
The latter half of November has definitely been a landmark event for me. Everything in my life as I know it is coming to an end; I finished up with University for good, actually completed my first solo half-hour anime film, and wrote my last Animefringe articles all within this period of time.
Finally, thanks again to everyone. To all the staff for sticking together so remarkably well and creating such a workable atmosphere, and to all the readers who have kept us going and even sent the odd comment of encouragement. For now, I guess it's time to wait for an appropriate sunset, say something about space cowboys, and encourage you all to read through this super-sized last issue.
Ja ne, Animefringe!
by Lesley Smith (Staff Writer, '05)
I don't believe in final farewells, hence the reason I didn't use Sayonara, but it's only recently sunk in that this is the end of an era. I'm one of those people who lives in the 'now' and, while a part of me figured Animefringe wouldn't be around forever, I didn't see Adam's announcement coming. However it did give me the impetuous to pursue my journalistic career and begin freelancing professionally.
It was around this time last year that I started harassing Janet, Animefringe's Deputy Editor, to let me write for my favourite online magazine. Back then I was a fledgling journalist about to start a post-graduate course with a passion for anime. Having been a long-time reader, I sent her an article I'd written on Ai Yori Aoshi and the next thing I knew, I was working on my first article on Ah! My Goddess for the February issue. I almost fell over when I saw it was the lead feature, come April I'd somehow managed to do the same thing twice more and still don't know how it happened. Since then I've been able to cover series like AIR and Tsubasa Chronicle as soon as they began airing on Japanese TV as well as covering more domestic features, like the release of The Ring 2.
Has Animefringe changed me? Hell, yes, I've learned more about anime, manga and gaming in the last year from people who are twice as knowledgeable than me and I've also made some great friends. I still love anime and manga and have discovered various new series through interacting with the other writers. Yet I still get that rush when I hear that Ah! My Goddess has been renewed for a second series or that one of my favourite - but obscure - manga series has been licensed.
As I write this, in the wee small hours of the morning, listening to choral refrains featured on the Advent Children soundtrack and trying to finish my myriad contributions to our final, colossal cover feature, I've realised that life on the Fringe is one of the places where I've been happiest. Yes, it has involved more anime series than I can count, backbreaking hours of surfing and trying to translate the latest piece of feature-related news at three in the morning but I wouldn't have missed it for all the Pocky in the world.
I feel privileged to have been a part of Animefringe and would like to thank the rest of the team for putting up with my CLAMP and Ah! My Goddess obsessions and Adam for letting me prattle for hours via Yahoo! This has been a great year and I can safely say that without Animefringe, I wouldn't be half the writer I am today.
Domo arigato gozaimasu, minna-sama!
Night and Good Luck
by Shannon Fay (Staff Writer/Assistant Editor, '05)
I don't think I really can say goodbye to Animefringe since the effect it's had on me will always be with me. I only joined the staff this year in January, but in that time I learned so much about anime, manga and writing in general that it seemed much longer. When I e-mailed Janet with a review of Banana Fish Vol. 1 last year, I didn't think too much of it at the time. I never thought that it would lead to one of the most fun, rewarding experiences of my life. It saddens me that that experience is coming to an end, but more than that, I am extremely happy to have had it in the first place.
As assistant editor I proofread the articles for Animefringe. This made me read about a lot of topics that I may have passed over otherwise, whether it'd be a French animated film or an off-beat anime I'd never heard of. It's really amazing all the different things the staff brought to the table, not only in their different interests but also with their different perspectives. Working on Animefringe broadened my interests, but it also made me think about my hobby more as well.
If I can have one hope about my time spent at Animefringe, it's that I did the same for someone else. I hope that, from reading a review or feature of mine on the site, you tried something new. Something that you wouldn't have taken a chance on before, maybe it was a little outside your normal interests or comfort zone, but you checked it out anyway. It's little things like that, be it trying a new series or sending off an e-mail to an online magazine asking to write for them that end up becoming big things. I don't know if I would have gone into journalism if I never wrote for Animefringe, and I certainly wouldn't have learned as much about anime and the many topics related to it.
So thank-you, the staff and readers, for the online magazine that was Animefringe! Happy Holidays!
My Life at Animefringe
by Mandy Bevers (Staff Writer, '05)
This is not farewell, Animefringe, it is a beginning. I know it sounds cliche, but it works. Even though there will no longer be any new issues from here on out, I will continue to visit the site and read the archived issues that I have yet to read. After that, I will still continue to come back from time to time to muse about the fun I had working with all of you.
Though my time here was short, it was well worth it. I have had a great love of anime and manga for years now and it has only grown with time. A couple of years ago, I had the idea that I would start an online fanzine much like this one, but was never able to accomplish that goal. Then I stumble upon this place and was mesmerized by it. It wasn't until about a year later that I came back here and kept coming back here. I wrote to Janet asking how to become a writer for Animefringe. That question was posted in the next issue. Then I submitted a review and was welcomed to the team. It felt great. It still feels great. Not only have I loved anime and manga, but I have also loved to write from a young age. This allowed me to combine those interests into one. I have done a lot since I've been here, everything from a manga brief to a feature, I've even done a special. These were things I never thought I'd be able to do.
I've had another dream. When Newtype U.S.A. began its reign, I wanted to write for them. I have had a fan letter published and my comments about a couple of shows printed in it, but not an actual article. I find that it may be easier for me to achieve this goal because of Animefringe. I've told some of the anime-loving friends I know about this place. When they asked "what's that?" I would compare you to Newtype (something they all knew about), but I would add the phrase "only better" (sorry Newtype!). I think this idea stemmed from the atmosphere. Those who I have come to know over the past several months have made me feel comfortable and more confident even. It's been a sort of home for me, I guess.
Now that Animefringe is on its last issue, I hope to start my website and fanzine. It won't be as good as Animefringe nor will it have quite as much content, but I'll give it my best. I'll also try my hardest to achieve my dream of working for Newtype U.S.A. I believe that working here has strengthened my love of all things Japanese and I hope that it will continue to grow. I hope that Animefringe readers will continue to spread their love of anime and manga (and everything else). Don't give up because dreams do come true. Finally, my thoughts are with you all (the staff) and I hope life at the Fringe has been as wonderful for you as it has been for me. I hope to hear from you all again some day. Thank you all.
Game Over
By Joseph Luscik (Staff Writer, '04-'05)
It's crazy to think that I've actually been watching anime for roughly eight years now; however it hasn't always been like it is now. At first I hated anime and thought it was just dumb, and then I actually started watching DragonBall Z after track practice one day and thought it was awesome. Then I would say that I'd never watch any other anime, just DragonBall Z because that was cool and now all other anime was dumb.
The big jump happened one faithful Thursday night in December of 2001. I was home from college on Winter break and my brother told me about this thing called Adult Swim on Cartoon Network and how it had some funny shows and this one anime that he thought was called Cowboy Bebop. Well I happened to watch it and from that moment on anime became a big part of my life and has even lead me to where I am now writing for Animefringe and interning at an anime company. Who would have thought where that show that might have been called Cowboy Bebop would lead me today?
This issue will be my one year anniversary of having articles in Animefringe. It's almost hard to believe a year ago I was writing about Midori No Hibi, Inu-Yasha and what some anime characters would want for Christmas. Writing for Animefringe has been an incredible experience for me and has let me do some great things that I wouldn't normally have gotten the chance to. I wish it could continue, but it couldn't last forever.
I remember sitting at my desk in college one day trying to decide what I can do with my life and figured why not try writing about anime. So I e-mailed Janet and when I got a response it was one of the most exciting times for me. I can't finish this farewell without giving one more thank you to Adam and Janet for giving me this chance because it's something I won't forget. I know that I will probably always be watching anime, I mean heck, I kept watching it even after seeing Ninja Resurrection.
Most people like to close with a Japanese phrase or the classic "see you space cowboy," but I will leave you with a different line from that classic show Girls Bravo. I hope that this was a memorable experience for all of you and by memorable, I mean nasty!
Freebird!
by Chris Istel (Staff Writer, '04-'05)
Although I'm still fairly new to the staff (and I've sort of been M.I.A. for the past few issues), I really enjoyed my time here with the talented and creative minds of Animefringe, which allowed me more freedom in terms of both content and deadlines than anything I could ever think of.
Fan-based sites and media like Animefringe really are what keeps the American anime industry alive through their non-stop dedication to anime and manga, and I am glad to have been a part of Animefringe. I thank everyone on the staff for the opportunity, and hope they continue on to even greater heights in both the anime industry and in their own lives.
Happy holidays to everyone!
Change
By Andrew Chanthaphone (Staff Writer, '04-'05)
Change... Change is a word that should be included in the dictionary under vulgar language. When people utter the word change they freak out or get flustered. Why do people get like that? It’s because many people are used to the everyday things in life and to me Animefringe is something that was part of my everyday life. I never thought I would ever write for anything that would be published on paper or even the Internet. However, I was given a great opportunity and I have enjoyed it everyday.
I never thought that my passion for this great thing we call anime would thrust me into writing about titles, going to conventions, and meeting people in the industry who share my passion. Who would have thought that other people would read my reviews or my articles and agree or disagree with what I've written? The everyday joy of writing for Animefringe has been a godsend and I am much honored to have been about to be a part of something so wonderful.
I have met many people who enjoy what I write. They've told me that I make them laugh and have even prompted them to purchase the titles that I've enjoyed. That is a great thing for me. To have a great staff to work with and an editor who is very laid back and also takes time out of his normal life is amazing. I would like to thank Adam, Janet, Patrick, Steve, and the rest for a wonderful time and I wish the best to everyone.
Change again should be a bad word. How will things change without Animefringe to write for, read, or even look forward to? I don’t want to even think about it. This is not farewell but more of thank you for everything and I hope everyone has taken something from Animefringe. I know I have. Pfft and they said meatheads can't write deep stuff.
Oh yeah... no more screeners :(
Moving Along
by Maria Lin (Staff Writer, '04-'05)
Wait a second, what month is it? How long have I been doing this? You're kidding me!
When I started at Animefringe, I was impressed and inspired by the quality of writing that I was being surrounded by, but was confident in my own skills and didn't think twice about contributing. Now I look back at some of things I wrote at the very beginning and ask myself, why did they possibly let me in? But that's progress. Hopefully in a year or two I'll look back at what I'm writing right now and ask myself that question all over again.
Back when I was a high school student who didn't study and didn't do homework, there was a lot of time to watch anime, and Animefringe had me writing more passionately and carefully than any class the school could throw at me. I would look at the new releases on shelves and ask myself, "What can I review? What would other people be interested in hearing about?" The drive to do well for a production that was seen by so many people helped me out a great deal in growing some responsibility, even if I still forget the definition of 'deadline' once and a while.
And watching the way the site was run gave me a first hand course on professionalism. More than writing and getting feedback, or reading everyone else's articles at the start of the month, the thing I'll miss most about Animefringe is being a part of a very fine tuned machine that knew what to do and how to do it. Very rarely can people say that they took part in a group effort that was entirely satisfying, but the folks at Animefringe, from Steve and Adam who have been here from the start, to those of us who have only been around a few months, were the best people I have ever worked with. Every time I deal with a group of people, I find myself asking, "What would Animefringe do?" If that isn't success I don't know what is.
So thank you everyone, for being such interesting and awesome people, and thank you to those who have made my day with feedback and kind words. Even though I'm moving on, the spirit that this site has given me will never die.
Honey Flash!
by Megan Sutton (Assistant Editor, '04-'05)
Writing and editing for AnimeFringe was truly a unique experience! I met some really great people and had some fun conversations about everything and anything related to anime and manga. I saw anime and read manga I never would have otherwise, and read reviews of things I wouldn't want to see (Janet's reviews of hentai)! One of my favorite things I watched because of AnimeFringe was RE: Cutie Honey; Adam and I watched it at the same time and did a running commentary... that was hilarious (but we never brought ourselves to print it).
I discovered what a true otaku was when I saw pictures of Adam's room stuffed full of all things manga and anime, and came to understand what it means to be obsessed! I started to build my own collection, but I don't think it will ever be as extensive as Adam's.
I'm going to miss AnimeFringe!! Thanks for all the fun times, and good luck to everyone!
Farewell
by Aaron H. Bynum (Staff Writer '04-'05)
I've thoroughly enjoyed the two years I have been writing at Animefringe and the five years I have been reading Animefringe; as I have enjoyed the diverse commentaries and insights, interviews and editorials, and current events that the media journal has always published with the utmost favorable intentions.
My thanks go to much of the original creative team who, in the Online Magazine's earliest years, offered quality introspection and detailed analyses on television series and feature films, which would go on to further fuel my interest in the niche market and concentration of Japanese animation.
So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish
by Janet Crocker (Staff Writer/Content Editor, '03-'05)
I first stumbled across Animefringe in 2002, as one of the reviews was linked off of my university's anime club homepage as information on a series that we were watching. I may not remember the title of the anime, but I do remember thinking, "Wow. I will *never* be that hardcore otaku, writing about anime. I mean, those people must not have much of a life."
Except now we're here, and well, as we all know, I do write about anime. It only goes to show you that I need to use that mental duct tape on my mouth more often.
It's been a great two years; in fact, it feels like I joined the team only months ago. I've been exposed to some great titles that I would have never picked up on my own, and to a lot of nice *and* interesting people that I wouldn't have otherwise met.
I've discovered and fallen in love with the literary form that is manga, the addictive qualities of Katamari Damacy have been made clear to me, and I've had the chance to rub shoulders with creators and other industry professionals, opportunities that I would have never dreamed of when I offered to help out Holly in editing the issues in 2003.
In 2003, I had just immigrated to the US from Canada, and I was newly married and unemployed. Today, I have a great job with future potential, and a baby on the way. (Still got the gamer/otaku/geek husband too.) I've gained skills and confidence as an editor and as a writer, and I'd like to think that I've helped the various contributors over the years at Animefringe to gain skills and experience along the way as well. So much change has happened in my life, and I can't wait to see what's next!
I hope that you have enjoyed Animefringe throughout the years, especially the articles that I have written and those which I spent nights with blurred eyes editing to make that final deadline. I hope that their value will continue to be of use to you as excellent reviews of some interesting items for you to read or view (or as items to avoid at all costs; you've got to take the good along with the bad, although the good seems to be far outweighing the bad nowadays).
As my final thought, I'd like to encourage you to continue supporting the industry by trying out new titles. If everyone just picked up one volume of a new or lesser known manga series each month, one title outside of your usual selection of interests and series, we would have publishers giving us the opportunity to try even more titles that are left of center, and there is so much variety out there even now. Imagine what it would be like if we even got a tenth of Japan's selection domesticated, not including new OEL works!
Remember as well that anime is more than just perverted Japanese or children's cartoons, and try the fish! It's really good!
Musings of a Former Anime Junkie
by En Hong (Staff Writer, '02-'03)
What is it about Japan that facinates us so? Is it the cutting edge electronics? Cute pop idols? Ridiculous tentacle hentai? Perhaps we are simply in the thrall of their mind control devices. Myself, I was drawn to the schoolgirl outfits. I love those loose socks. Yes. Loose socks and a tight...
Anyway, freshman year of college, all I wanted was to go to Japan and bang some ch - sample the local culture. You know, visit some historical sites, take a poke into a holy temple or two. Buy some cell phones. But now, four years and a college degree later, I find myself worrying about getting into grad school, brake pads for my car, and health insurance.
What happened to me? Why am I not downloading the latest episode of "Super number 7 big breasted girl and kittens" while playing FFXI in a sweet dual-monitor setup? And more so, why do I no longer feel the urge for such wholesome activities? It seems as if I am entering the dreaded realm of adulthood and responsibility. Oh Narusegawa Naru, I have forsaken thee. I can no longer healthily entertain the utopian fantasy of magical anime land.
Yet, when I happen upon photos of Japan, or while reading the latest Murakami, I am caught by a tug of nostalgia. It puzzles me. I've never been to Japan. I only know a minimal number of Japanese people. Why should I feel nostalgia for a place I have never been? Perhaps there is still some magic there. Perhaps I should take another look at that JET application.
For all of you loyal Animefringe readers, no matter where you go in life, I hope you continue to hold onto that little bit of Japan in your heart. Hold onto those good memories, hold onto the warm feelings you had while reading my *wonderful* articles and most of all, hold onto that limited edition Rei figurine. So, farewell to you readers, farewell to Animefringe.
See you space cowboy...
Otsukaresamadeshita!
by Patrick King (Staff Writer, '02-'05)
It feels strange to say goodbye to Animefringe. As most readers know (and to the dismay of our beleaguered editors) I always have plenty to say about manga and anime. As I wrap up the final few articles, I have to wonder -- what, exactly, am I going to do with all of this spare time?
Some of our staff members will be making "professional" (read: paid) appearances as freelance or even staff writers in the industry. Others will experience the joy of new babies, new jobs, or perhaps (shock!) even new interests. Personally, I'd like to think that I'll keep on doing something related to anime, manga, or video games, but I have nothing in particular lined up just yet. In the meantime, I'll be enjoying my day job at the largest telecommunications company in the nation, where every week promises a new adventure!
For the record, I am still the anime and manga fan I was when I started contributing in 2002. I still prefer the Japanese language track to anything in English -- as much as I respected the talented people who do voiceover work over here. I'm still disappointed when I'm forced to not buy a manga I feel has not yet been domesticated properly. I'm still giddy as a schoolgirl (well, not that giddy) when I hear about projects that were only dreams a few years ago. For example, productions like the Ah! My Goddess TV series (which already has a second season in the works!) or the upcoming shiny and new Hellsing release.
So -- my thanks go out to all of our readers (especially those of you who wrote in!), to the companies that publish the stuff I love, to Adam and Steve for creating the site in the first place, to all of the editors who had to deal with long, comma-delimited sentences like this one, and especially to my fiancée/very-soon-to-be-wife who allows me time to not only watch anime and read manga, but to write about it, as well.
Finally, I'd like to officially thank the actual creators of the books and shows that inspired me to do this in the first place. Readers can do no wrong by checking out the works of Yukito Kishiro, Yuu Watase, Hayao Miyazaki, Rumiko Takahashi, CLAMP, Masakazu Katsura, and the Godfather himself -- Osamu Tezuka. When you're done with them, try everything else. It's all worth reading, watching, and enjoying.
Sleep Tight
by Danielle D'Ornellas (Staff Writer, '01-'03)
Oh Animefringe, where would I be right now if it wasn't for you? Well, I definitely wouldn't be freakishly obsessed with Asian horror cinema or comics (particularly Battle Royale and Tomie), I wouldn't have had the heavy exposure to Japanese cinema enough to help program a 'Japanese Horror Series' (Ichi the Killer, Versus and Uzumaki) at my school a year ago, and I wouldn't have met one of my best friends.
Live long, Animefringe, in our hearts and on the eternal web, hopefully the passing of one age of quality amateur internet journalism will inspire a new generation to take over. It could be YOU.
~ love from the quirky one, Danielle
Farewell, Animefringe!
by Wolfpac (Forum Mod, '00-'02)
While I'm not really a staff member (honorary one more like it), back in 2000, I was introduced to the world of Animefringe. On the 1st of August, Animeboards (an online forum) and Animefringe started a short lived partnership. But from the introduction of that day to now, Animefringe and its staff have given us loads of interesting articles, a few well-placed laughs and some seriously great reading over the years.
From the beginning, it was always fun--even if the cover did put me off... :-p
Well, not really. As I later found out, Animefringe's original mascot--Misaki--was cosplaying as Utena. Well, Utena is a sexual confused show as it is, so when I saw Misaki as Utena I thought, "Is she a guy?" This of course was met with lots of "no's," but still that was my first major interaction with the staff. Not a good way to start off a new partnership, eh? Bag on the mascot.
Throughout the years, Animefringe has just been a great magazine. While it has been strictly an online webzine, I still think that it's better than the majority of retail magazines out there. As an avid reader, I will miss Animefringe. If it be for the great articles, fantastic reviews or the ever so funny, yet short-lived, ADAMVISION, this magazine has been an unforgettable asset to the anime and manga community. To all of the staff who have ever had anything to do with making this great monthly magazine, "Thank you and good luck on further endeavors!"
A Profound Farewell
by J.P. Arevalo (Staff Writer, '00-'02)
A farewell from someone you don't know so well, doesn't seem too profound, does it? Well that's probably the case with this goodbye that I am writing out to you, the Animefringe readers.
I've contributed a few reviews and a report from E3 2002, since then, I've fallen off the radar, so to speak. I've been an anime and manga fan for ten years, back when Adam and I used to kick it on the Anime/Manga Forum on CompuServe. I've watched anime fandom in North America grow at an astounding rate these past years. Just go into any book store now compared to ten years ago, the manga section might have been miniscule to non-existent then, but now, entire sections are overflowing with translated and original manga. It might be something that new fans take for granted, but if I had that when I was just starting out, I'd probably be living in a cardboard box by now.
There have been times over the years where my fandom has dwindled, but I always seem to come back to it. Places, like Animefringe, have kept that fandom alive and strong; anime fans young and old, coming together to share a common interest. Really, any kind of fandom can bring people together, but anime is something special, and only those who watch and read anime and manga, really understand that difference.
In closing, the most important message I can send to you the readers out there, is to remember where you came from and keep watching anime, it can lead to great things! I am recently engaged, to my sweetheart of eight years, who I actually met on the aforementioned CompuServe Anime/Manga Forum. If it weren't for anime, I wouldn't have met the love of my life! How's that for profound?
A fond farewell, see you out there!
J.P. Arevalo
Growing Up
by Steve Diabo (Senior Design Editor/Webmaster, '00-'05)
Hey everyone out there,
I don't like thinking about the end -- not for something that's been in my life for six, technically seven years. This won't really sink in for me until the new year, when there's no more Animefringe work to do, no more end-of-the-month crunch...
For me and all of our staff, Animefringe has been an evolution, in many ways like a growing child. It makes me laugh to think of how we were way back when we started: collecting articles and putting issues together using e-mail and IM, months when we had barely any content at all and Adam having to pump out 4 or 5 articles at the last minute just so we didn't have an embarrassingly thin issue (can anyone notice anything about our third issue?)
But we grew with every single new issue we produced. We introduced a staff message board (and why we didn't do that from the start is beyond me), templates for submitting different types of articles, a style guide, issue outlines/brainstorming threads... before long it really felt like a well-oiled machine. Everyone knew their duties and knew their cue and the process of putting together an issue was just a beautiful sight. Our quality control was rigorous and every staff member, veteran or newbie, knew that any kind of contribution to Animefringe had to be of the highest caliber possible. In my mind, Animefringe has graduated, and what we've been able to learn from participating in this project has been tremendous.
We may have been kids when we started this journey, but even then I knew we would have to keep the 'zine going for a long time -- though, I couldn't have imagined we would be where we are today. Naively, I never even thought we would have a final issue, but all things must end sometime.
Now we're all grown up and real life is waiting for us. Animefringe has changed my life more than I could realize, and I know it's made me a lot more prepared for the road ahead. I can't think of anything I've helped create and maintain that I'm as proud of as this magazine. I'm going to miss it all very dearly.
To the readers and especially those who've written in to us: Thank you so much for taking part and keeping up with us through the years. There's no way we would have been able to keep it up this long if nobody was reading and letting us know how we were doing. I know we weren't the most well-known anime site going, but... we have well over half a million page views a month now and that's plenty for me!
Good luck to everyone in the new year!
Going Out Strong
By Adam Arnold (Editor-In-Chief/Layout Editor, '00-'05)
This farewell message is quite possibly the hardest thing I've ever written. I've known this moment was going to come ever since the news broke back in October, but now that it's here, it's just hard knowing that you'll have to be the one that turns out the lights and closes up shop. If this were TV, then I'd want all the other teary-eyed staffers to join me in a big group hug and we all shuffle our way out the door together.
"Team Animefringe" is a family. We might not always see eye to eye, but we're always there for each other and we're all dedicated to one thing -- putting out the best possible magazine we can. This might be the end, but we've done the impossible with this final issue -- we've put out our largest and highest quality issue ever and, if I may say so, it's by far our best. Think of it, our loyal readers, as our thank you to you.
I'm sure a lot of you would like to see us to continue putting out Animefringe month after month. It's a lovely idea, but I'm a big believer that you should never wear out your welcome. You have to leave people wanting more and if I had one hope for this final issue, it's that we accomplished that goal.
I could probably go on and on, but I think this touching image by Eliza captures the moment more than words possibly could.
Stay safe, friends, old and new.
