For what it’s worth, I only came across this blog today. Having caught “Claymore fever”, I started looking around for what people are saying about it. And certainly that’s one thing that would draw a reader like me to a site, if they’re discussing a topic that interests me. The other requirement is that there should be a recognizable point of view or ‘personality’ behind the writing, something that I can connect to. (That’s why I don’t usually read episode summaries unless I’m curious about something I’m not watching myself or if I am confused about something I _did_ watch and want someone else’s perspective.) Based on that, here’s some positive feedback: I really like the Thinkbox sections! That’s where it gets interesting, with opinion and insight into an episode or a series or a genre. And from what I’ve read so far, you have interesting things to say. Keep it up!

I agree that it will be hard to compete for readership with blogs that employ more than one blogger and are therefore able to cover more series and topics. I think there’s also something to what you say about the insiders’ circle of bloggers posting comments on each others’ blogs; I’ve noticed that myself. But I hope you continue; it’s worth doing.

Oh yeah, and about Claymore: I’m not usually a fan of shounen action series, but I gave this one a shot. First couple of episodes had enough promise of character development in between the fighting scenes to keep my interest. Then episode 5 came out, and I’m watching it thinking “that waif’s eyes look awfully familiar”. . . yes! It’s a surprise flashback to Clare’s origins. Now I’m hooked. Episode 6 was even better. I’m really wondering where it’s going to go from here. It doesn’t look good for Theresa, but…in the opening animation, don’t we see a brief shot of Clare and Theresa crossing swords? It could be a spoiler for future developments.

P.S. If I were one of those bandits I would have probably tried to ignore her “thing” on her chest and tried to approach her anyway. Heck, she’s one smoking hot Claymore. :)

I’m hurt by the fact that ‘friends’ play a huge role in all of this. If you know the one who wrote the entry, you can catch their drift more easily and also be more motivated to reply. Also, if you’ve gone missing, your friends will keep asking for you. Most people say, ‘we write for fun’, but that’s because they have friends, readers that share their fun as well. I can’t really pretend that on my side. I’m really not the ‘friendwhore’ type of blogger who goes around posting his blog link in every comment field and redirect users towards here. I feel like stealing users from other sites, and that’s really not how I want it to be. And either way, once the readers have settled down with one or more blogs, they won’t have any more extra time to check the noobs’ blogs.

And, other blogs that announce and recommend me? o___o Now that would be news. Is the church still standing??? No, seriously, that won’t happen. They also have their ‘pride’, have they?
It’s exactly the same phenomenon I encounter on the wallpaper sites, where I occasionally submit a wallpaper. ‘Proud’ people are not supposed to view the noobs’ wallpapers and to comment it, to give advice, and stuff. They only do that for their friends, because that’s the ‘elite’. And once you voice your anger, you get oppressed. It’s that easy. Someday… Someday I’ll overthrow all of them whores. I’m sure of that ;)

Until then… my blog still needs lots of work. If it wasn’t for these router issues here at dorm, I’d already have installed a few interesting plugins that might enhance this page a little bit, for instance, a thumbnail viewer, so people aren’t restricted to looking at those tiny pictures. And other things… maybe a new theme, who knows. This color scheme doesn’t please me much nowadays, and a wider column for writing might be of advantage for readability (also makes it look as if I wrote less).

And, Mentar: freakin’ awesome job on Claymore. Didn’t expect someone from Eclipse to check by my blog (already checked in IRC)… I’m honored ^^ Außerdem ein Deutscher. Wenn das kein Zufall ist :P Love your subs so far ^^ Just watched ep 6, entry should be done in an hour or two.

On a technical point of view, your blog is pretty amazing ;) … very well done. I’d say the main question is what your primary goal is: To increase the page visits as quickly as possible, or to have fun while doing all that. I wouldn’t say it’s mutually exclusive, but… it’s two different things.

I’d say those blogs whose authors are clearly having fun, who don’t take things too seriously and who poke some _positively_ silly stuff every once in a while tend to attract the most replies. When you get the impression that the author is “giving his best” and “working hard”, for some reason the hurdle to comment is higher :) … now everyone has his own style, just some food for thought. Write when you’re having fun, not as part of a hardworking schedule. Also, roam other popular boards and crosslink to your blog - some positive air should help. Finally, getting befriended animeblogger sites to announce and recommend you would also benefit you.

Just food for thought.

And I hope you continue with a bit more enjoyment than you seem to feel lately ;)

Well thanks guys. Mentar, I still have hope that things are going better for this greedy bastard. I am not discouraged yet, but… all the little annoying things around this blog built up to make a huge pain in the neck, and all of this is really making me lose my time in proportion of the feedback I receive.

As for the summary part, I know it’s a bit of a waste summarizing already subbed episodes, but since Claymore wasn’t that far ahead I just thought I’d catch up to the most recent episodes so later on I could be on the front as well. For Gundam SEED Destiny, I only write my thoughts about it, since it’s old already.

Controversial topics? Hmm… I always hoped for people to react to things I write because I am controversial by nature, and when I’m not happy I really tend to become sarcastic and stuff, as you might have noticed here and here. I’m sure of it, people would have reacted to this if they even had noticed in the first place. Impz for instance, only got to that post by chance (as I was ranting in the #ab channel), and he’s the messiah that finds it an injustice as well, or at least that’s what I get from reading his blog from time to time… Whatever. I guess if people don’t know me, they won’t take their time to read such long complain posts. Why they won’t go “too long; didn’t read”, is a mystery. And many replies, for now, never helped. In my last rant topic, I did ask my ‘readers’ a lot of things, but same thing as above. Once again, I have placed expectations on them while it’s supposed to be the other way around…

And finally, the poll does have an option to add custom answers, no? If nothing fits, you could always add yours there.

Thank you for the support nevertheless.

Seriously though, that’s the crux of blogging: It’s always a certain step from reading to comments. The problem with your poll is that there isn’t really any option to pick. Technically, I like your entries alot - none of the options you listed would apply to me.

If I’d give a piece of advice, it would be shorten the summaries (these only make real sense for shows which are not subbed almost immediately), and to increase your comment section. Write what’s on your mind about the show/episode, and if you’re smart, write something controversial (to generate initial comments). Or ask your readers about something. For some reason, there’s a major hurdle to make the very first comments. Once the second is in, people tend to reply much faster.

So, I hope you’re not discouraged, I really like your entries alot. Even though I didn’t vote (lack of option applying to me) and hardly commented yet!

Also, on the Claymore front, I’m anticipating this arc and the awesome battles to follow very much.
*slight spoiler*
4 on Teresa fight action is win for all.