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Topics - Tsubasa

#1
They're a regular part of any forum.  Most everyone has any combination of the three.  Since I recently changed my avatar, I've been thinking a bit about how people have so many different approaches to their avatars/signatures/personal texts.  And I suppose, for lack of interesting discussion topics these days, I might as well make one where anyone can give input.  So what does everyone believe about/like to do/want to do with these elements?  They effectively define your identity on a faceless internet (although I suppose the Faniforums aren't so faceless to many of us).  What is your purpose for choosing what you do?  What do you like seeing?  On the converse, what do you detest seeing?  Share any thoughts you have on them.

I will start out with my thoughts:

Avatar:
The basic unit of identity on any forum.  Perhaps it's my background in design speaking up, but I believe that the avatar should be treated like any other design piece: it should have a concept and/or at least be composed with thought.  Far too often I see avatars which are little more than bad images cropped with no thought.  I hate that.  At the very least, the very basic avatar should be an image cropped to create an interesting composition.  This involves considering some to all of the basic principles of composition: focal point, positive/negative space, contrast, color, readability (or nonreadability if that's the intent), etc.  Basically, a piece where visual composition is paramount.  A lot of my avatars tend to turn out like this.  If I feel like putting more thought into it, the next step up is a piece with concept.  What does this mean?  A piece with an idea/purpose/narrative.  Basically something that will tell the viewer something, not just "I cropped an image."  I often don't do these because I'm lazy or don't have any concept, but they've happened.

On the technical side, I like avatars that aren't just squares.  There are times and reasons to use a square composition, but I find it far too restrictive and boring.  That being said, taller or wider avatars are nice.  I lean heavily towards the latter.  In fact, the 100x60 avatar has become something of a signature of mine.  Image format is almost always PNG unless I need it animated.  Easily the ideal choice in image formats for an avatar IMO: lossless, well supported across browsers, optional alpha-channel transparency, and it can't possibly be a large file size for something as small as an avatar.

I dislike seeing: thoughtless crops, extra artifacty jpegs, LiveJournal icons (you know one when you see one), crops that should have a border but don't, images that are needlessly large (both dimensions and/or file size), unreadable text (when it's obvious it should be readable).

As a last thought, what's up with dimensions that are just a little off?  Every once in a while I check image info on avatars and I often see stuff like 100x97, 80x81, etc.  Is it so hard to make them round, even numbers?

Signature:
I do not believe in the signature image.  I think it's a bit presumptuous to ask someone to load an extra 50k because you need to tell the world your name again and/or whatever worthless information you feel like you "need" to say.  I reserve the right to make an exception if there's an image I want to use to unify my avatar with my sig in a worthwhile concept, but this has basically never happened.  Nor do I ever see it happening in anyone else's case.  Moving on, there should be a reason why any piece of text is in a sig.  Far too often I see blurbs, quotes, etc. that no one could possibly care about besides the poster with the sig.  People naturally tend to read text if it's there.  Save me the effort of reading your inane stuff.

Personal Text:
This is fairly SMF-oriented stuff here, so considering how I haven't been on SMFs much except in the last year, I haven't had too much time to formulate too many thoughts on personal texts.  I just tend to put some kind of text that relates to my avatar.
#2
General Anime Chat / Saimoe 2008
August 13, 2008, 05:46:57 PM
Saimoe 2008 prelims have just completed and the blocks are determined.  Who's going to win this year!?  Time for discussion!

Brackets @the main siteHere's the icon version, which gives little images of each character.

Notable characters for me:
Block A: Hagiwara Yukiho (IM@S), Kobushi Abiru (Zetsen), Ginga Nakajima (Nanoha StrikerS), Yami (ToLoveRu), C.C. (Geass), Yuzuhara Konomi (ToHeart2)
Block B: Nunnally Vi Britannia (Geass)
Block C: Vita (Nanoha StrikerS), Honami Takase Ambler (Rental Magica), Alicia Florence (ARIA)
Block D: Asakura Yume (D.C. II), Teana Lanster (Nanoha StrikerS), Iincho (Seto no Hanayome)
Block E: Takamachi Nanoha (Nanoha StrikerS)
Block F: Furukawa Nagisa (CLANNAD), Kusugawa Sasara (ToHeart2), Komaki Ikuno (ToHeart2), Yagami Hayate (Nanoha StrikerS)
Block G: Komaki Manaka (ToHeart2), Akabane Kureha (Night Wizard), Bell Zephyr (Night Wizard), Takatsuki Yayoi (IM@S)
Block H: Alice Carol (ARIA), Amami Haruka (IM@S)

Someone to look out for:
Block F - Hatsune Miku (Zetsen)

My top 3 picks for the tourney this year are as follow:
1. Takamachi Nanoha
2. Komaki Manaka
3. Vita

Manaka probably isn't going very far, as usual. ; ;  Nanoha or Vita could go quite far though.  Nanoha all the way!
#3
General Anime Chat / Summer Anime 2008
June 18, 2008, 07:19:39 AM
July is just around the corner and there's new anime looming on the horizon.  Below is a list.  It includes everything, including OVAs and movies.

RoboDz Fuunkun
Detroit Metal City Episode 01
Ikkitousen Great Guardians
Chocolate Underground
Gurren Lagann Parallel Works   
Telepathy Shoujo Ran
Ultraviolet: Code 044
Sekirei
Slayers REVOLUTION
Mahou Tsukai ni Taisetsu na Koto ~Natsu no Sora~
Scarecrowman the Animation
Seiyou Kottou Yougashiten ~Antique Bakery~
Hidamari Sketch x365
Strike Witches
Birdy the Mighty Decode
Yakushiji Ryouko no Kaiki Jikenbo -Ryoko's Case File-
Takane no Jitensha
Gakkou no Kaidan Anime Special
Zero no Tsukaima ~Princess no Rondo~
Neo Angelique Abyss -Second Age-
Choro-Q Deck System
Natsume Yuujin-chou
Mission-E
World Destruction~Sekai Bokumetsu no Rokunin
Koihime†Musou
Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu
Blade of the Immortal
Akiba-chan
Lupin the 3rd sweet lost night ~Mahou no Lamp wa Akumu no Yokan~

What're people looking forward to?

I, for one, am most looking forward to Slayers REVOLUTION. gg  Others that have piqued my interest: World Destruction, Koihime†Musou, Ryoko's Case File, and maybe Sekirei.  Hidamari Sketch x365 if I ever finish up what comes before it. XD;

I'll check out more depending on early feedback into the season and/or on a whim.
#4
First info and images released in this month's Newtype: scan

Hints seem to indicate that it'll be based on book 4: Suzumiya Haruhi no Shoushitsu/The Disappearance of Suzumiya Haruhi.

No airing date as far as I can find.
#5
Just announced on ZUN's blog.

Also somewhat related: Touhou 10.5: Touhou Hisouten ~ Scarlet Weather Rhapsody will be released in full @the upcoming Reitaisai on May 25th.
#6
General Anime Chat / Fall 2007 Anime
November 04, 2007, 09:27:45 PM
The board was down when we would usually make the seasonal thread, so here it is a tad belated.

What's everyone watching?  What do you think is good?  What's garbage?  Best OP?  Is your favorite seiyuu in something?  Did they butcher a perfectly good manga/game by making the anime?  Whatever you want to talk about, post it here.  Cause discussion is cool and we can't have a thread for every series.

Five weeks into the season, here's my status:

Series I'm watching (in part or in full):
-CLANNAD
-D.C. II
-Genshiken II
-Gosyusho​-sama​ Ninomiya​-kun​
-Kimikiss
-Myself; Yourself
-Night Wizard THE ANIMATION
-Rental Magica
-Shakugan no Shana Second
-Shion no Ou
-Sketchbook ~full color's~

Series I should get around to:
-Bamboo Blade
-Mokke
-Moyashimon

Series I would recommend: CLANNAD, Night Wizard, Rental Magica, Sketchbook.
Has promise: Shion no Ou
I like it, but it's not fabulous (at least not yet): D.C. II
Galge-based, so I watch some, but they'll probably be mediocreish: Kimikiss, Myself; Yourself
OK, and only watch if you've seen the first series: Shakugan no Shana Second, Genshiken II
Probably not worth it: Gosyusho​-sama​ Ninomiya​-kun​
#7
General Anime Chat / Comiket 72
August 18, 2007, 01:23:14 PM
Comiket 72 (Summer 2007) just took place.  Thoughts?  Discussion?

My thoughts:
-I have yet to check out doujin releases, just games.  Good Comiket for games.
-I want the Nanoha stuff from the industry booth.  Bad.  I'm gonna hit up Yahoo! Japan Auctions soon.
-Touhou 10: Mountain of Faith is, as expected, pretty cool.  I'm digging the music and the Aki's.
-Touhou 10.5: Scarlet Weather Rhapsody (demo) is quite different from IaMP.  It is also rather complicated.  I like what they're doing with it though.
-IOSYS's new CD is awesome.  I'm looping Usatei right now. :3
-Haven't touched Trouble Witches yet, but from watching Lisu play, it looks solid enough.
-I'm getting Nitro Royale right now. XD  I hear it's not that good, but I'll play it for kicks.  I'll rep Ein.  I hear Fate/zero Saber's in it.  Wow.
-The Mukashi, mukashi, aru tokoro​ ni​ totetsu​ mo​ naku​ naka​ no​ warui​ twintai no​ shimai​ hime-sama​ ga​ irasshaimashita​ to​ sa demo is fun stuff.  If only cause it's such a quirky Mario 2 parody.
#8
General Anime Chat / Summer 2007 Anime
June 17, 2007, 01:36:28 PM
Summer season's coming up.  Shows will start premiering in another 2-3 weeks.  I figure it's time to do some research and figure out which shows I'll be watching or at least checking out.  And why not make a thread to discuss with everyone?

First thing's first, moetron has a list of shows premiering this season.

Things I'm definitely watching (doesn't necessarily mean I'll see them through to completion):
-Nanatsuiroâ˜...Drops
-School Days (<3 Setsuna)
-Moetan
-Doujin Work
-Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai
-Zero no Tsukaima ~Futatsuki no Kishi~

I'll check out:
-CODE-E
-Sky Girls TV
-ZOMBIE-LOAN

Might check out:
-Mushi-Uta
-Kenko Zenrakei Suieibu Umisho
#9
General Anime Chat / Spring 2007 Anime
April 03, 2007, 11:37:35 PM
For discussion of series that have just begun airing this season.  There can't be dedicated threads for everything.
#10
General Anime Chat / CLANNAD TV
March 15, 2007, 02:18:29 PM
I'm sure word of the movie has spread by now, but they've just announced a CLANNAD TV series too.  Trailer

Key banzai! XD
#11
General Anime Chat / Favorite Insert Songs
July 26, 2006, 04:27:33 PM
Since we've covered OPs & EDs before, why not insert songs?  For those who aren't in the know, insert songs are vocal songs that are played during a series.  Whether that be actual characters singing, them listening to it, or even if its used as BGM.

The right insert song can make a scene with a lasting impression and I suppose that's their beauty.  So, what insert songs do you favor?  I'll start this off...

Anata no Ichiban ni Naritai - Minami Omi - Martian Successor Nadesico
God knows... - Hirano Aya - Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu
Snow Rain - Ueda Kana - Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha A's
Otome no Inori - Hayashibara Megumi & Suzuki Masami - Slayers NEXT

Those for now.  I may add more.
#12
General Anime Chat / IAD Seeks to Legalize Fansubs
September 19, 2005, 10:57:07 PM
International Anime Distribution seeks to open a pay-per-download service a-la iTunes for anime fansubs.  They are currently attempting to gain legal right from the anime producers to sell legal fansubs right after their airing in Japan.  They are also currently sending an open invitation to fansub groups who wish to fansub professionally.  They've opened up a main site and a sales portal.
#13
General Anime Chat / AnimeToonz 3
September 12, 2005, 11:02:13 PM
Kinda an old item from Anime News Network, but oh well:

QuoteKristine Sa and DJ Jinnai to Collaborate on AnimeToonz3: Kristine Sa

Nemesis Records has announced that Kristine Sa will collaborate on the third AnimeToonz remix album, "AnimeToonz3: Kristine Sa."

Sa will work with DJ Jinnai on the CD. Jinnai will remix several anime theme songs.

Partial Track Listing:

1. Inuyasha - "Every Heart" Japanese
2. Cowboy Bebop - "The Real Folk Blues"
3. Ranma 1/2 - "Jajauma Ni Sasenaide' [the Yapapa song]
4. Gundam - "Find The Way"
5. Urusei Yatsura - "Lum No Love Song"
6. Candy Candy - "Candy Candy"
7. Inuyasha - "Dearest"

AnimeToonz 3 will be available from Jellybean and Sony this October.
I don't know about you, but the name "DJ Jinnai" rings a bell.... :roll:  Congrats, man.
#14
General Anime Chat / Summer 2005 Anime
July 21, 2005, 12:06:30 PM
What do you peoples think of this new season's anime?

Kamichu!?  D.C.S.S ~Da Capo Second Season~?  Okusama wa Joshikosei?  Suzuka?  Amaenaide Yo!?  Kidou Shinsengumi Moeyo Ken TV?  SHUFFLE!?  Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid?  TIDE-LINE Blue?  Ichigo Mashimaro?  PaniPoni Dash!?  Okusama wa Mahou Shoujo?

I've seen a good deal of first episodes and here are my very brief recommendations broken down into very general "should you watch them" categories:

Watch worthy: Kamichu!, D.C.S.S. ~Da Capo Second Season~, SHUFFLE!, Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid, Ichigo Mashimaro

Stay clear of: Okusama wa Joshikosei, Suzuka, Amaenaide Yo!, Kidou Shinsengumi Moeyo Ken TV

Judgement still out on: TIDE-LINE Blue

Have yet to see: PaniPoni Dash!, Okusama wa Mahou Shoujo
#15
General Anime Chat / G.I. Joe Anime
June 25, 2005, 06:19:40 PM
Coming soon: G.I. Joe Sigma 6, produced by Studio Gonzo.  Pictures~.






#16
General Anime Chat / Comic Party Revolution
February 11, 2005, 09:27:54 PM
Anyone been watching this OVA?  I have been keeping up with it and by golly, it has to be one of my favorite game-based anime series.  Having played the game, I think the TV series sucked.  At least Revolution is based on the game.  Anyway, episode 3 was recently fansubbed and I think it's the best yet.  Baseball!  Asahi!  Ikumi! XD  It was originally planned for 2 episodes, but there's a next episode preview at the end of 3, so I'm pretty ecstatic.  IMO, each episode just gets progressingly better.  3 was freakin' hillarious.  Anyone else been watching it?
#17
General Anime Chat / Media Factory Legal Action
December 09, 2004, 06:56:19 AM
The Japanese company Media Factory has sent AnimeSuki a legal request to remove links to torrents for their series.  This is... different....  No Japanese company has ever presented anyone in the US fansubbing community with a legal request.  For now, we'll just have to wait and see what reprecussions on the digital-fansubbing community this will have.  A similar event occured about eight months ago in the scanslation community with SnoopyCool, which was contacted by Kondansha in a much similar fashion.  Since then, there have been no further developments with that.  However, knowing that, we cannot predict with certainty that the Media Factory case will be a redux.  Whatever happens, those who are following School Rumble, Genshiken, Gankutsuou, and Akane Maniax (among other things) will have a harder time obtaining episodes.
#18
General Anime Chat / Tsukihime
October 22, 2003, 03:53:51 PM
Anyone been watching this series?  Sure, there are only two episodes released thusfar, but it's really intriguing.  I'm getting a feeling for why the game was so popular.  Too bad for me, it's unbelievably hard tracking it down to purchase.  I've been looking for a few months.  The best I could do was play the offically sanctioned fighting game spinoff: Melty Blood.  But anyway, it's a fascinating series from what has been released, so check it out.  Episode one moves pretty slowly, but I think it picks up considerably in episode two.
#19
I'm helping my sister get something.  She wants a stuffed Kirara.  You know... that fuzzy thing from Inuyasha with multiple tails?  The thing that's always with Sango?  Yeah, that thing.  Anyone know where I can get one?