Ever Closer

Hello again my dears,

We are getting ever so close to the release of The Life Of Soul Thief. thelifeofsoulthief.blogspot.com
His story is going to be released on the last day of January 2016, so tomorrow. Tomorrow! I am pretty excited to see one of my literary (not that its literature at all) works entire the world. I hope it is well received and that you actually enjoy the crazy things that happen in my head. If all goes as planned I am thinking of cosplaying Soul and 2 of the other characters from the story at Yama-Con 2016! The theme is villians so obviously its meant to be. As far as the other days go I am looking at doing Maurgrim and The White Witch from The Chronicles of Narnia (Heiwa wants to be a witch ^_^)  and the last day is still undecided... I think... Actually I really want to hold a Butler and Maid Dance Café, but I don't think anyone cares about that :P

Back on track. After the release of my story I will continue writing here and on Soul Thief and on all of my beloved pages. I have a few anime reviews in the works at the moment so you can look forward to those, maybe. You might not like what I have to say at all. I also have a few plans regarding this years convention list so I might tell you about that as well. Really I am just writing this to remind you that I haven't forgotten any of you and that I am still alive.
Let us celebrate the month of January coming to a close and raise awareness in February seeing as it is Singles Awareness Month. If you are single be sure to represent us well! During February I am going to make a list of good animes to watch for single people, (not to say that couples cant watch them.) so look forward to it.

I hope some on this list of "Soon to come"s has peaked your interest! Be sure to check back often!

Signing out,

                   ~Aki Ame Okami  

My Little Monster

Hey Guys!!! I cannot believe how absent I have been lately! I am so sorry about that!

I kind of got sucked into an anime and forgot to tell you all what I was doing! But I've been watching "My Little Monster" like crazy and I absolutely love it.

How can you sum up My Little Monster in one sentence?

SHIP ALL THE SHIPS!!!! 

Seriously though. YamakinXShizuku. HaruXShizuku. HaruXOshima. SasaharaXAsako (Natsume). AsakoXMisawa. Shoot. HaruXNagoya (KIDDING!) Whatever, you get the point. It kind of leaves it open for shipping wars, but at the same time Aki and I 100% agree that we would be okay with whatever ships sailed. 

That is an awesome kind of anime! No fighting over who's ship is better, because every ship is perfect. I also like that it actually has a little more depth to it than your typical romance anime (no spoilers for those who haven't seen this anime!). That gives it more points in my book. I love Haru to death, because you never know what he's gonna do next. 

After I finish the anime I'll have to let you know why I ship each of the ships. But for now, just know that it is definitely worth watching and that I have not abandoned Ani-Maze-Me. I've just been Ani-Mazed. :) 

~Heiwa Kibo Hane  

Why I do what I do. (Mainly Admining)

 Hi there,

 For those of you who don't know I am an editor, cosplayer, seamstress, cobbler, writer, administrator, painter, model and a few other things (and that's just relating to this fandom) and I am writing this to tell you why I do it.
What inspired me to become an Admin? A long time ago (I think this year will be the 3 anniversary, so yeah not that long...) I came across an anime fan page for Naruto. It was right after I had really gotten into anime so I was in aww by how amazing the current admin was and how much everyone loved them but then one day I saw a fan that really needed emotional support and they turned to the page for help since it was totally anonymous. The page helped them and they still check back in all the time. That made me think that I could help people one day, even if just by making them smile and forget their troubles for half a second. That is enough for me.
So I became an Admin known as Temari (and eventually Temari Nara) however once the end "ships" were released the fandom kinda got torn apart, especially from my little pages point of view. Everything died out and I was left with a hole in my soul.

Where did I admin next?
Sometime right before the big Naruto Shipping War Avatar Legends of Korra hit it big and all of the pages suddenly got revived. I was an avid fan back in the day and deeply admired Toph, Mai and Zuko. (And Sokka for his sarcasm but that is beside the point) so I turned to a page (The Fire Nation) when I found it, it was already well known however I was made an admin do to my incredibly reliable and interactive track record. I went by Mai. After KorraXAsami started becoming a thing I became very awkward with fans because everyone started forcing their beliefs and opinions and you couldn't have a single decent conversation without it turning into a war. (Once again Shipping ruins my fandoms) So I became less and less active and only post on their occasionally as is. ( I also did a short adminship with The Earth Kingdom as June but the leader of the page banished and seeing as everything died with Korra I couldn't maintain the status quo while the owner was away.)

Why do I admin where I do today?

Currently I admin on Anime Feels Overload, <3 Anime Geeks <3, Anime Quotes, Ani-Maze-Me, Aki Ame Okami and Random Fandom. 
I didn't want to get into another show specific page because it seems that once the series is over most fans move on so I stuck with a genre based page requirement. 
I love the emotional support that these pages provide not only the fans but the admins as well. I have had to deal with a lot these past few years and the other admins have always been understanding and supportive of me.
Anime Feels Overload: There are so many admins on this page its hard to keep them straight. Occasionally we get into disagreements but over all its been a wonderful adminship and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I haven't really bonded with any of the admins specifically but I have been introduced to so many wonderful anime and people because of them that its only fair to say that they are part of the reason I am who I am today.

<3 Anime Geeks <3: This page has an incredibly high like number but has very little interaction. I developed my traditional "Anime Games" through this page. I also got to meet one of my favorite friend admins (Kanra) because of this page. Kanra and I have shared a many wonderful memories however school seems to have stolen him away for the time being.... One day he will be back. It is simply what Kanra's do.

Anime Quotes: This page was abandoned. The only admins left are Radical Voodoo and I. Radical Voodoo and I get along fantastically. I value their opinion and am glad that I get to share an adminship on such a fantastic page with them.  This page gives me range to hone my editing skills and has a decent interaction rate. Just recently I fell ill and it kinda put me in an emotional slump. (I hate being sick because I cant contribute and that makes my existence pointless...) However, One of the fans told me how much they loved my quotes and how much I encouraged and inspired them and wished me well. Those simple words brightened my mood in ways you cant even believe. Even if that one fan is the only one reading my quotes I will still post them. 

Aki Ame Okami: For obvious reasons I made this page devoted to my adminship and all that I do with it. All my quotes can be found there. This page gives me a voice in all fandoms. Just because what I have to say might not be popular opinion or relevant to whatever pages I am currently admining I can always speak my mind on my page.  This is also where I debuted my first cosplays.

Ani-Maze-Me: Well come on, we have a blog why not have a FB page? Seriously though, This is Heiwa and I's(?) hopes and dreams in pixels. We cherish the memories made through these pages and I cant even imagine the wonderful things they hold for us in the future.

Random Fandom: Because occasionally I get inspired to do something non anime related ^_^
This page has a lot of great fans and a lot of great admins and sometimes feels more like a family than a page :P One of the head admins was actually one of the first people to support my cosplay interest so I am really grateful for this page.
I have met lots of great people through this page though. It has a great admin bonding secret group.... but you don't know that cause its a secret... Shhhh.....


Basically my entire lifes story started with a single page and my ability to put words on a picture. I don't have much written for a lifes story just yet, but the pages are filling fast. These events leading up to where I am today (220 likes :D ) have encouraged me to do something I have wanted to do for years.
At the end of January 2016 I am releasing Soul Thief onto the world. He is something that has long lived in my heart, head and soul and I can't wait to share him with you. Support me with this project just by looking at his blog.. You don't have to say anything. I will know :)  thelifeofsoulthief.blogspot.com

So far the thing I am most greatful for is my adventure as press at Yama-Con 2015. I thoroughly believe that experience has pointed me towards the career I want in my future.

Thanks for the read~

~Aki Ame Okami

Aki's Taste In Anime: The Do's and Don'ts

     **These are my opinions and guide lines**

Anime. It can be a lot of things, lets take a look at all the genre's available. 

• Comedy

The name sort of explains it. These anime usually have a light hearted plot that can kinda be unpredictable. They draw in other genres to keep things interesting sometimes.  
Examples: Ouran Highschool Host club

• Drama

This genre features lots of emotion and is commonly paired with romance and adventure. The plot is generally well developed and the characters have a lot of "Personal growth" throughout the anime. Meaning they realize their faults and grow stronger for the one they love etc.
Examples: Vampire Knight, Seraph of The End 

• Action

These anime usually lack a strong plot line and character development, however they make up for it by being overwhelmingly exciting and constantly drawing in other genres.
Examples: Naruto, Bleach, One Piece 

• Adventure (There is a difference between action and adventure)

First thing that comes to my mind is...(drum roll)... FILLERS!!!
Sadly yes, Adventure series seem to go on forever! They are well worth the wait though! Adventure series usually give a sense of fulfillment at the end that is hard to find in some shorter one season animes. ( I Am talking to you, makers of Ouran HighSchool Host Club!)
Examples: FullMetal Alchemist, Pokemon (When is Ash going to grow up?), Attack on Titan

• Love/Romance

I don't watch a lot of Romance anime mostly because it ruins my expectations of real people, this is what I have gathered though.
Romance anime features a lot of complicated emotion that usually isn't tackled in other animes. You end up becoming emotionally attached to one character or another and you find yourself cheering on your favorite couple and feel a sense of achievement when they finally end up together! (Or totally crushed when you find out the ship has sailed.)
Examples: Again, Ouran HighSchool Host Club(Remember all those sub genres that comedy has? Yeah.)
Yahari Ore No Seishun Love Comedy Wa Machigatteiru

• Josei

This genre is very new to me, I haven't seen anything that is in this genre however I hear it is supposed to portray the realist side of relationships and life as apposed to the Shojo glittery eyes and fairytale themes.

• Horror/Gore

This doesn't actually mean scary, what it really means is blood and lots of it. Have you ever watched Sci Fi's Halloween line up? Yeah.
There is usually a good plot and decent characters however when they get in a fight and die they don't come back like in most anime.
In fact their death statement probably says "They found most of him".
Examples: Attack On Titan, Tokyo Ghoul (haven't watched), Death Note(More on the mystery side)

• Demons   

This may seem like it is a minor theme, which I suppose it is a sub plot but eh, its on the list! This sub plot genre is seen a lot in anime, everything from good ole Inuyasha to Black Butler. It just ends up being a plus to have a Demon with infinite powers that is really hard to kill, apparently. 

• Examples: Blue Exorcist, Soul Eater, The Devil is a Part-Timer

That is all I am going to cover for Genre's because I won't really be covering much else. I know that there are some more intense genres like Yaoi, Yuri, Harem and that type of stuff but I see no need for those. Sorry if that's your favorite type of anime, its just not my cup of tea.

Ok, Now for my anime standards!!! Yay, you get to look inside my brain! Be careful O.o

Do's

• Do have interesting characters and a good plot line.
• Do continuously show improvement in either the status of the problem or the characters.
• Do give me something to ship, it's not needed but it makes things a little more fun in the fandom.
• Do have a good ending.
• Do teach me something. I don't care if its something about myself that I didn't know before or if its some fun fact about Japan.
• Do be something that I am proud to talk about no matter where I am.

Don'ts

• Don't be cussing. I don't respect it or put up with it, I usually look for subbers who don't sub the cuss words but dubbing is getting worse and worse with it.
• Don't have trashy dressed characters. I expect people to have practical clothing. No one wins a battle in high heels and a mini skirt. If its all about accentuating the wrong things then I am NOT  interested.
• Don't go off and kill characters all willy nilly, (One word. Neji) If you kill off 20 characters and then bring them back how am I supposed to cope when you actually kill someone! Its like whack a mole. He's over there! Nope he is gone, Wait he is back. Nope gone again.
• Don't give me a bad ending. If its only had one season and that ended with a cliff hanger, you better finish it. I am an Otaku and I need closure!
• Don't play for the fans. If your heart isn't in it than don't do it. We love it because you love it.

So by now if you are wondering "What does this person watch?!" Here is your answer. I watch good wholesome anime, occasionally I might watch something that breaks one of these rules but that will usually be because I am cleaning and just turned something on. Or if I am doing a sponsored review and I have to watch it. Trust me, I don't always enjoy myself. :P

No matter what I hold myself accountable. So here are some of my sideline animes, Where I watched some but didn't finish because they broke to many rules.

• Blue Exorcist

This anime was good starting out, it was so entertaining and kept me on my toes. Then the red headed swordswoman got added to the show and they just pushed it to far. I love my twins, but that I would not watch.

• Naruto Shippuden

They didn't cuss in the early Naruto because it was aired on Cartoon Network and other kids stations. At the end and into Shippuden it grew into an unneeded and overused form of communication.

• Parasyte. Lets just say that one didn't last long at all -_-

• Tokyo Ghoul, Episode one and its already a failure.

• Psycho Pass really pushed its limits and something tells me if I go back and watch some of the episodes I missed, it would be at the top of my list of sidelines.

• Soul Eater, I love the art style **but** Tsubaki and Black Star really ran my standards into the ground.

• Deadman Wonderland, I have always had a fascination with prison/ camp related themes so I was interested in this anime. However Shiro's morph suit (given it is more covering than some, its just tighter than some) and the language swiftly doused the flame of fascination. 

• Durarara!!! is pending, its not even the language. Its Celty. Her jumpsuit is somewhat tight as well. There are slightly more suggestive themes (which is a no-no) and it is breaking the "Don't write for the fans" rule. IMO.

• Fairy Tail 

The first episode of this anime is an awful representation of this anime. For it to be focused on the guild and how much of a family they are the first episode really focuses on all the wrong things -_- 

Basically what I am trying to say is, don't think you have to watch the same anime as everyone else! You have options! There are classy anime out there. I recommend Howl's Moving Castle and Wolf Children, even though they are movies. They will give you the right feeling for what anime should feel like.

I am always here to help you find something new to watch, or to help you make what you watch now, better. 

I hope you learned something new today and that it got you thinking.

Also if I offended you, don't take it personally. I am really a nice person. (Sarcasm)
Honestly though, I didn't mean any harm.

Sincerely
            ~ Aki Ame Okami