The document discusses issues within the anime and anime music video editing communities. It describes how some anime music video editors are criticized for overusing popular anime clips or effects. It also discusses problems with large anime music video sharing websites like criticisms of new editors and focus on popularity over skill. The document provides opinions on subgroups within the anime fan community and criticisms of behaviors like treating anime as a religion or speaking Japanese words incorrectly.

1. A RANT ABOUT THE AMV AND ANIME COMMUNITIES
Writing about the communities of both anime, and music videos that follow the anime, is a tricky business to discuss. It is easy to piss an anime fan off and
definitely easy to piss off an editor of an amv. First allow me to explain what this long rant is. This is a rant about how the minds of editors and fans of anime
work. There is a level of psychological problems going on with the communities of editors and anime fans and I’ve noticed it. Therefore, I decided to write about
it. If you don’t like that or think I’m wrong, then I advise you to write your own.
I have broken both sides of the argument into two groups. The anime fans and the anime music video fans and editors. Basically, I want to talk about what
people do in a reaction to something else or what goes in their minds.
ANIME MUSIC VIDEOS
One of the most basic principles of amvs is the term “whored.” A basic idea to whoring is that something has been used by so many people that it is
“whored” and therefore a bad idea to use it. The problem with this concept however, is that while anime such as Bleach, Naruto, Dragon ball z and One Piece are
“whored,” the only unoriginal thing about it is the editor. It’s actually a bit humorous because the only person whoring is the whore, which in this case is the
editor, NOT the anime. There are a lot of great scenes from the anime I mentioned that are never used by the editor, and rarely see the light of day. Another form
of whoring is “effect whoring.” This is where a video looks extremely messy because of how many effects were used. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but if you
intend to whore effects, be prepared to be shot down a lot. Effect whoring is looked down on in the amv community.
Another problem with the editing community is the idea that by editing you are somehow less of a person socially. I have gotten comments saying I’m a
loser because I like editing and because I sit a lot. This is such a stupid and pointless argument that I have given up even arguing over it. Editing was never a
contest to see who could be more social and I’m not sure where that idea came from.
RAW EDITING VS EFFECT EDITING
“You didn’t use that effect the way I want you too.” This statement is heard so much, and it’s very annoying to see. There are many, MANY different
ways of manipulating and applying effects, and not everyone does it the same way. When an editor steps on another video for using an effect the “wrong way”…it
just becomes a complete mess. Raw editing has become a form of editing that is looked up too. For some reason it’s hard to do, and people think that if you edit
raw you must be a good editor. This however is complete bullshit. Think of raw editing as the baby steps and effects as running in track. You can be on that track,
and attempt to run it…but that doesn’t mean you will win the race. You have to train, practice, run on a treadmill, and learn the BABY STEPS until you’ve gotten
a good distance mark. Then, when you’re body is fully prepared, THEN you run the track and hopefully win that race. But what happens if you never try track?
What happens if all you ever do is run on that treadmill? You’d get bored. You’d never get anywhere. It works the same way with editing raw and editing effects.
If you jump start into effects too fast then you’ll overdo it most of the time and not make the kind of video that people enjoy watching. Instead, you should begin
with just simple and basic clips. Simple and subtle wins the race. When you’ve finally got emotions and timing and conceptual editing down, then it’s good to go
forward and edit effects. You’ll find that editing has become a lot easier for you and you can stand tall as an editor, rather than attempting to hide you’re effect
whored amv.
ANIMEMUSICVIDEOS.ORG
I’d like to call it “the problem” rather than “the org” at times. This large community that was built from scratch shoots down new and upcoming editors
through trolling, flaming, dissing, and any other way you can think of. Chiikaboom, an editor who was known for editing HER way, was shot down and trolled
straight off org and has been known to be quite straight forward about her opinions and views on the org and editing as a whole. Org has been known to shoot
down videos with biased or mean opinions and are usually quite elitist and egotistical. The reason it’s “the problem” to me…is basically because no one DOES
ANYTHING. No one has attempted to stand up and fix it. Instead they act like nothing is wrong and don’t attempt to help out. The few that do are usually trolling
in a completely different way or are just trying to be nice. Some of the nicer editors on org are shinnie04 and all of re-evolution studios. People go to amvs.org
thinking they will find a nice and accepting community, only to be blatantly pushed away and looked down on. It puts a very negative image on anime music video
editors.
YOUTUBE
YouTube is a mess. There is no better way to describe the editing community on YouTube. Basically, this is how YouTube works.
Said famous editor edits a popular amv with a rare anime or just a good source and a catchy song. Editors who are subscribed to that said famous editor are
then inspired and edit with the same song and possibly the same anime. Then all hell breaks loose and EVERYONE edits with those sources and it’s basically a
whole sperm bank of random videos by bland editors. The main problem with the editing community on YouTube is that is solely based on popularity and not
skill. There are several incredible editors who are not known due to the simple fact that no one knows about them. Popularity is based on what anime you used,
what song, and how many people want to watch it. If you use unpopular anime then you’ll have fewer subs, which means you’re less known. The issue at hand is
that because of this, editors attempt to copy “said famous editor” but he may not be as great as people think. Therefore, the editing becomes less than what it could
be. Another issue with YouTube is the commenting system. Comments range from “Awesome!” to “Gay.” Org looks down on these comments, although it’s
much better than the way they treat their members in my opinion. YouTube can also work like this: Said anime releases a new episode with an “epic battle scene.”
Said famous editors who are subbed or watch the anime then go on to edit said episode. Said subscribers then edit said anime episode, but with almost no original
concepts or ideas to make it any different from anyone else’s editing with the episode, and then it becomes a sperm bank yet again. Also, when something is
“whored” and is no longer considered something valid for use (which is of course untrue, see the whored section of this rant) the editors who are really good at
editing refuse to edit with it, but the really bad editors tend to use it nonetheless. Thus, instead of good and original editing being done, it’s the new editors or
editors that aren’t very good who are editing with the said episode. Then, of course, the org disses YouTube for having bad and unoriginal editing. The drama is
catastrophic. YouTube also has an ego problem, possibly even worse than the org’s. People assume that having many subs makes you a better editor, but on the
contrary it’s the editing that makes an editor. This should be common knowledge but it appears that no one can figure it out. Another problem is social status.
YouTube is mostly taken by editors aged from nine to twenty. Anyone older than that is also a member of the org and has a social life. Again, editing has nothing
to do with you having a girlfriend, going to school, getting a job, and living your life. That’s your business and will most likely never impact anyone, but if
someone says you need those things, remember…he or she is an editor too and probably a teenager. They probably don’t have those things either. There’s also the
problem of people’s attitude toward new editors who are just learning. Many people refuse to give out song names, or help a newbie out because they hate noobs
or just are mean enough to do so. Noobs will mimic this behavior later on, and become mean people due to the communities influence on them.
AMVNEWS
This is a Russian website dedicated to hosting amvs. While it is very difficult to navigate if you do not understand Russian (which is almost all Americans)
the website does have a few positive points. The first positive thing is the ability to link to YouTube, The Org, etc and not have to upload directly from your
computer. Another nice thing about amvnews is you can upload and people watch it, even without you posting in the forums, unlike The Org where unless you
posted to the forums…chances are no one will care about or watch your amv. The main issue I have found, other than the fact that without Google
Translator…amvnews would be useless to the majority of Americans, is the critics. These people are mean to those who aren’t in their editor hotlist. If you didn’t
make an amv with their song/anime taste or you are not their friend, then they will purposely put you in a bad category, or rate you really low. Their points are
easily debated as biased, harsh, and just plain mean.
AKROSS-CON
The newbie noob contest for noobs. Akross-con is an excuse to poop out as many “original” after effects videos as possible. Noobs who just learned how
to use after effects will almost always attempt to enter this all-too-popular contest and almost always fail. The winner of the contest is usually a famous editor or
someone who actually knows how to edit with after effects. Common effects that are used are Twitch or Camera tricks. Bleach and Naruto are popular candidate
anime for Akross-con.
THE NOOBS
The main issue I see with the newbie editors is their lack of effort or motivation. “What’s the song?” “What do you edit with?” “Where can I get after
effects?” All answered by Google or Bing, or any other perfectly good search engine. The song lyrics are easily obtained and then entered into Google. The
program should be obvious depending on the video’s effects, timing, and quality. However, if needed then asking is fine. Where to get certain programs is easy and
fast. Just type it in Google and you’re done. Also, people never try things on their own. They’ll come to me or other editors for help with very simple things like
how to split a clip, things they could easily figure out on their own. When I first started editing, I never asked for anyone’s help unless I really needed it. Instead I
watched tutorials, watched amvs that used the same effect or technique I wanted to do, and attempted to do it just like them. Eventually, I became so good at doing
this, that I was ripping amvs almost perfectly. I now can practice editing by trying to replicate techniques in Vegas, and then manipulating it so it’s more of a
custom thing that I can use later. This all took a lot of effort and motivation on my part…but it was totally worth it in the end and I’ve never stopped benefiting.

2. New editors also tend to expect too much and give very little. I will have a new editor come up to me, not even say hello and just ask for stuff. It’s extremely rude
and shows how little effort they put out.
PROs
The original concept of “pro” was that it meant a “good editor” or someone who was on top of all the rest. It quickly became a “noob term.” Basically
people said that you couldn’t be “pro” because you’re not paid to make amvs, you’re not “professional.” However, I believe in using the term to mean “proficient”
or a good or decent editor. This idea is being used more often, but it is still a noob term to use unfortunately. “Pros” tend to be creative and original, mask a lot,
edit decent raw amvs, or of have lots of subs. They’re quality is also extremely good usually and they use after effects or premiere. Pros are also know for
submitting to Akross-con or other big conventions/contests and get famous faster that way.
ANIME
In some ways…the anime community is much better than the amv community. However, they can be even worse at times. There are several different
levels of anime fandom, different terms that people have to understand to become part of the community and reasons why anime fans can totally suck sometimes.
NARUTARDS
These groups of people are like rats. You can easily step on them...but they just won’t die. Narutards are Naruto fans to the extreme. They have Naruto
posters, Naruto action figures, and the worst part is that they think they are anime fans. They are very wrong, because they cannot be anything but a Naruto fan.
They’re knowledge consists of the many ninja jutsus and special attacks from the series, along with exact fight scene narrations. Narutards can also coincide with
the anime music video community when they make “fan-videos” with linkin park songs playing to an episode of Naruto, really bad windows movie maker editing,
or a slideshow.
POKEMON FANS or POKENERDS
Sometimes anime can branch out to a younger audience and this is one of those times where you wish children would just go die. These annoying little
children will suck you into playing a Pokémon game for the first time…and once you’re hooked, you will never ever go back. These games are like drugs for high
school kids and younger. Once you’ve won a game or two…you’ll begin to notice something. First off, playing Pokémon is a “kid’s thing.” After you hit 13 you’re
told you should stop playing these “child’s games” and play things like Final Fantasy. However, that has nothing to do with you and you really don’t care because
“POKEMON FUCKIN RULES!” In the end though, it IS just a video game out to get your money by putting out a new glob of Pokémon every year. Another
thing about Pokémon is the fact that almost every child on the planet now has a game shark or an action replay and will brag to you for hours on hours about his
hacked Level 100 Arceas that he has.
DEATH NERDS
These are kids who dress up as their favorite death note character, sit like L and think they are awesome, and will talk to hours about what “could/would
have happened” if L hadn’t died. Again, their knowledge consists of only death note information and below, thus making them not otaku or anime fan material.
Female Death Nerds tend to dress like Misa, or wear outrageous gothic clothing. Male Death Nerds are known for sitting like L, pretending to write people’s
names in a death note or actually carrying around a replica death note.
ANIME FANS
These are the scariest kind of anime fandom and unfortunately they are the most prominent. These are the people who are so obsessed with “anime” that
they think they are awesome. First off anime fans will spit out random Japanese words, usually with horrible pronunciation and terrible “anime style” accents.
Words that they randomly say are usually things like “Baka!” or “Kawaii!” or “Nyuu!”
These words are of course…never said in Japan normally. Some advanced sentences are occasionally heard and you should give them props for actually looking
Japanese phrases up and not basing their knowledge of the Japanese language on anime. Another problem ive noticed with the anime community is their hostility
to those with different opinions. A troll can easily get a reaction from an anime fan by saying things such as: “anime sucks!”, “You animu fag!”, “You wee boo!”
And many other ridiculous phrases. The reactions end up being so ridiculous it makes true anime fans or otaku look bad. People post videos where they rant at the
troll, explaining why anime is so amazing and why saying it sucks is like insulting them as a person. Anime to anime fans is a like a religion and people can get
carried away with it just like they can with religions.
OTAKU
This is the pinnacle of anime fandom. If you don’t believe me, try telling a true otaku that anime sucks. He will most likely agree that some of them do and
not continue the debate. An otaku knows what he or she is doing when it comes to anime. Most otaku have seen over 100 anime and understand that not all the
popular anime such as Bleach or Naruto are really as good as anime such as Neon Genesis Evangelion. Calling an otaku a wee boo though is more than an
insult…you’re insulting him/her as a person. Otaku tend to have a lot of pride, understand a lot about Japanese culture and the language, and have been to Japan at
least once. They will own several anime action figurines as well. Otaku know where to go and how to go about buying anime, manga, and anything else. They are
the ultimate anime shoppers. If you need to know how to get something at a decent price, ask an otaku and they tend to have the answers. Otaku are looked down
on in Japan however, and thus their pride level becomes even higher over there. The funny thing about being an otaku is that usually you have to originate from a
narutard or death nerd and watch new anime until you are at otaku status.
THE HATERS
Anime haters consist of people who could care less, trolls, and just downright mean people. The trolls are the nastiest out of all of them, but not the main
problem. The reason trolls aren’t a big deal is because the only way they can attack an anime fan is by saying anime is bad. Your average anime fan may become
enraged at such a thing, but most otaku do not and therefore the trolls do no damage. The anime haters that don’t care about it are usually not trying to hate anime.
Instead, they just don’t want any part of it and avoid it at all costs. When an anime fan boy or fan girl comes rushing at them and begins splurging all this anime
knowledge at them, it can cause them to really not enjoy or care for anime at all. The downright mean people are usually almost trolls, but aren’t considering
themselves that. They tend to mutter under their breath, or make fun of anime fans from afar. The difference between trolls and anime haters like these is that they
will never attack you directly. Instead, they will make fun of you with a friend from a distance, or talk about you behind your back. It’s a very sneaky and mean
way of hating on anime and anime fans. The funny thing is…a few of those haters will turn around, go home, and watch anime. They are sometimes secret fans.
CONCLUSION TO MY RANT
I think occasionally we need to take a step back and look at our progress as both people and as a community. If you have finished reading this entire thing,
then maybe you have just taken your step back. With so many flaws, how can we call ourselves a community? We fighting, losing to trolls, making fun of
ourselves, hating on others because of simple, small, useless things…
IT’S JUST NOT RIGHT!
Since when was it okay to act like little children? Even on the internet, there are levels of maturity and I think that if you want to fight with other people
then you should do it with yourself. The Anime Music Videos and Anime community need to change…or at least develop a better perspective on things. Change
can happen, but it can’t just be one person. The whole community must change, somehow, with efforts from many. I think that, if one person reads this, then
perhaps I have helped that change happen a little bit faster. Thanks for reading my rant, and best of luck to you, your family, and your friends.