In the recent months, there is something nasty that has spouted out from the Aniblog Tournament, although this debate has been going on in the blogosphere for a long time. It’s the battle between editorial vs. episodic blogs to decide which one is better. For me, I feel that the debate is pointless since it shouldn’t matter for reasons I will explain below. (Image Source)
One of the reasons why people tend to look down at episodic blogs is that some people still use outdated writing styles. Back in the early 2000s, synopsis and screenshots were a lot more useful back then since streaming did not exist and only the tech savvy knew how to download episodes from IRC and other file sharing technologies. Also, fansub releases wasn’t as fast compared to now. Therefore people who could understand Japanese could watch and give their first impression before it gets subbed. Now, we have various sites like Crunchyroll that made Anime a lot more accessible, thus the old episodic writing style started losing it’s purpose. If you see episodic posts today, most of it is focused primarily on analysis of various stuff and opinions. However, this doesn’t mean that episodic blogging is obsolete by any means since people want to share their enthusiasm for a particular show they watched.
On the other hand, editorial blogs tend to have a bigger audience because it focuses on various topics. This can range from themes of a particular show, opinions or about the fandom. The reason why these posts tend to have more popularity is for the fact that they take a good amount of effort and creativity. Although posts about the fandom and personal experiences are a lot easier to write about, theme related ones take more thought and research. In some of my editorials like one on Hourou Musuko, which focused on the difficulties that transgendered people face from society, it took hours to write all my thoughts down. Even so, these types of posts tend to give a more rewarding experience and don’t require a constant effort like the former.
As for the debate in the blogosphere, some people believe that all episodic blogs sucks and they should die. I disagree since they are still relevant if done correctly. It depends highly on the writer themselves to bring something interesting or enjoyable to the post. For instance, one can use it to flesh out themes or things that people tend to overlook in a particular episode and analyze them. Not only that, maybe someone just wants to share their thoughts on what they saw and Twitter’s 140-character limit won’t allow them to accomplish it. The point I’m trying to prove is that episodic blogging is still relevant even with new mediums to watch Anime. It just has evolved into a mini-editorial post.
Overall, I think this is a pointless debate since neither editorial or episodic blogs have a clear advantage. The reason people follow blogs is to read interesting content. Sure you can make an editorial, but if it has tons of grammar mistakes and/or lacks anything worthwhile, the blog can still fail. The same goes for an episodic blog, although it happens more often since it’s easy to start up. However, bashing anime blogs and telling people to kill them from someone who shall not be named is not only unproductive, but only excites rage and unwanted feelings in the blogosphere. After all, I think we are forgetting the main purpose of Anime Blogging: to share the passion for the medium. I firmly believe this up to this day that keeps me going.
While I don’t care to read most episodic blogs, I have nothing against them. Coming up with editorial topics and specific themes to write about in anime can be tiring (I speak from experience! XD) so episodic writing gives bloggers a steady flow of consistent things to write about. I’m a holistic-minded person so I’m better at writing things on a holistic level, meaning I prefer writing a full review of an anime series rather than try and come up with things to say for each episode. But looking at the sheer number of blogs that write episodically in the Aniblog Tourney, obviously quite a few people prefer the episodic style. I think people should write in whatever style they most enjoy, whether it’s editorial or episodic.
For me, If a specific idea comes into my mind, I just write about it. But yes, time is an enemy when it comes to episodic blogging as one has to keep up to date with their stuff. Sure it’s easier to write about as you mentioned, but when people’s lives gets busier with real life stuff, it’s not so viable.
Then again, it comes down to preference, which is why I do a mix of the two along with other content not strictly related to video games like Let’s Plays and podcasts. Other blogs are also implementing new ideas to give more content outside of these posts.It’s a win win if implemented properly though.
Wait…something nasty sprouted from the Aniblog tourney? Say it ain’t so…
As for editorial vs episodic anime blogs, I’ll stick with my current position. All anime blogs suck.
Kima out.
Please do not communicate with me anymore. You have been mean to me and say such negative things to the point I had it, especially the repeated abuses of defollowing me for no apparent reason.
Also, nice to say such hypocritical comments considering that you also run a blog.
For some strange reason people like to think that if you have an episodic blog, you can’t be interesting, which is a complete lie. The bottom line, as you mentioned, is that if your content is interesting people will read it. Anyway, if I’ve noticed anything from the tourney, it was the episodic blogs that lasted the longest…
As for me, I like reading editorial, but episodic can interest me, too. I can read ten different episodic blogs and each one of them will give me a completely different opinion on the same episode, which I always enjoy reading. There are quite a few episodic bloggers out there, but as long as the posts are unique (and interesting) they can stand out just as much as any editorial blog. Also, everyone has their own opinion on what they like to read, so determining whether one style is better than another is, as you said, just pointless.
I think people got that mentality since long standing blogs like Random Curiosity established that sort of format. But I do agree that episodic blogs can be interesting due to people having different opinions. People will have different views on things since reviews are subjective. It depends on how people share these options through the use of analysis and personality.
Although I read mostly editorial blogs, I subscribe to a few episodic blogs and even check out posts sometimes if I come across something interesting. But at the end of the day, it’s pretty much up to the person’s preference.
I agree with you that it shouldn’t matter as well because I enjoy seeing both! Sometimes having episodic contents is useful and it’s always really refreshing to read editorials. I think it’s always interesting to see what an individual think, because you can have the same episode, and two people deconstruct it in a completely different way and say completely different thoughts. So it’s really important I think to be able to see multiple opinions about the same thing! I agree it’s SOO mean to just bash blogs and say those nasty things. I hope you continue your blog no matter what, cos it’s awesome to see these cool anime blogs!
I agree… People’s opinions are subjective, so its fair that people will always have different opinions. Still, bashing blogs is counter productive as it only insights rage. If you seen the drama around this blogosphere regarding Whiners.Pro reviewing blogs and telling them to jump off the cliff, it’s pretty nasty and doesn’t really help anyone since it’s not constructive criticism.
The bottom line, anime blogging should be a fun experience to share our passion for the hobby, which is why I’m still doing it up to this day.
Yes sooo true! No, I haven’t really heard much about the Whiners. Pro review but yeah, bashing a blog completely doesn’t help at all. I think there’s ways to criticize to really help and others who are ignorant and just make people feel stupid. I don’t know about others, but whenever I feel stupid, I tend to give up easily. I find the best type of criticism to give is saying what they could attempt to do to improve.
I’ve never been a fan of the competition and ‘best blog’ thing because I think each have their strengths. A person many not be the best designer, but they could be one amazing analyst.
I agree that blogging should be something fun and what that person is passionate about, sharing ideas and thoughts which are based on them as an individual, that’s why I enjoy coming to different blogs and reading them because they’re all unique and have their own perspective.
I’m really enjoying reading all your various blogs :O I disocvered it a few days ago on another blog (AnimeYume) and there was a link to it 😀 It’s really insightful and hope you continue writing because they are really enjoyable to read 😀