Now that the summer holidays have begun (well, for me, at least), I found it a good time to start wondering whether Star Crossed can be improved somehow. It’s been ages since I changed something on this blog, and I’ve basically been using the same blogging format for two years now. This is why it seemed an interesting idea to run some sort of reader survey. Perhaps some nice idea will come from it. Let me start with the following question: which part of Star Crossed do you like best?
 |
Which part of Star Crossed do you like best? |
| Episode Posts | |
| Series Reviews | |
| Quick First Impressions | |
| Monthly Summaries | |
| Season Previews | |
|
|
| 21phen.com weight loss | |
I’d also like to ask a number of questions, for which you can leave the answers in the comments:
1). What do you think of the amount of series I’m blogging at the moment? Is it too large, too small, just about right? Are there too many popular series?
2). Those who’ve looked at the archives probably noticed the huge amount of dead or botched-up pictures. Three image-hosts after each other turned against me, causing me to lose more than a year’s worth of screenshots. I’m currently slowly trying to re-upload these pictures, but how important is it to have these pictures back online again?
3). Is there something about Star Crossed that you’re missing? Is there a feature you’d like to request? Is there something about Star Crossed that you don’t like?
4). Regular commenters know that I’m not someone who replies to every single comment that gets posted on this site. I read every single one that gets posted, but I only reply if I feel inspired. Do I need to reply to every single comment? (apart from the ones like “where can I find subs of show X”, perhaps?)
5). Is there something else you’d like to add, but which I forgot to add to this survey?
Thank you for taking the time to read and reply to this. 🙂
1. Just about right in my opinion…and you are not blogging the most popular ones, (you blog crystal blaze, RD, etc) Thats a plus!
There are like 20 blogs doing code geass R2…
2. The present is always more important, those screenshots can wait I think
3. Actually there is something I miss…before (and only for a short time) you were doing this while blogging episodes:
e.g: Seirei no moribito ep 3
“Short Synopsis: The first big battle in the series ends with both sides getting hurt. A lot.
Good: Excellent fight, even better aftermath.
Bad: Nope. No bad points.
Overall Enjoyment Value: 8,5/10”
I really liked that.
4. No..but if someone puts a well asked question in a comment, I belive that you sould answer
5. Thanks for your hard work, keep it up! 🙂
1. I like it the way it is, honestly. What is important is which titles you cover, not the number of titles you cover.
2. I don’t really look at pictures unless they are what the blog is about, so no it doesn’t bother me at all. I am not sure where you stand financially but hosting is pretty cheap and paying for it is a smart thing to do if you take your blog seriously. But then again you are still on blogsome so you probably don’t care that much :3
3. If you are missing something, I wouldn’t know what it is. (Odds are if there’s a thing I’d like to see and that is missing from your blog, some other blog is doing it.) The thing I love to hate about your blog is the way you put a score for the series. It’s wonderfully helpful but at the same time very inconsistent and gives the wrong idea about a series. May I suggest experiment with other scoring systems that is less precise and less like a test score?
4. Not commenting is fine, but it is important to establish a presence on the blog’s comment section so people know you read it.
5. You should have a “Don’t care/I like them equally” option in the poll.
1) Just about right, and if it fits into your schedule, I’d actually love to see more. On the other hand, I think you are blogging a lot of series already compared to most others.
2) When I go back watching an old series, I do like to look up other people’s postings, but if it’s a lot of hassle to re-do the pictures, then I’d advise you not to.
3) I guess I’ll skip this question because nothing comes to mind.
4) I find it very helpful and nice when people actually reply to my comments, but of course you shouldn’t force yourself if you don’t have anything to say about your comments.
5) Ditto for question 3
1) seems about right to me. You update very frequently.
2) It would be nice to have them back, but you shouldn’t feel like you have to kill yourself doing it.
3) Not really.
4) Nope. I don’t think it’s fair to expect you to do that.
5)Is this the best anime blog on the internet?
To which the answer is hell yeah! 😀
1). Just right. Of course, this season, it’s less than before, but that’s understandable and you’re still blogging a lot more than others.
2). Not that important. I think you should only do it in your free time and not worry about it too much. (though just having 1 screen cap for the old ones would be good)
3). I did miss what Bruce said, but once again, it’s totally understandable why you removed it.
4). Only if it’s relevant, though answering questions posted is usually pretty good.
1. This is just~ right. Personally I think you are so awesome in ep. posts of Daughter of Twenty Faces and also Real Drive, just because almost no one else even wants to care about these two very underrated series. I mean, you are talking about Aya Hirano’s different and, in a way, mature role and a Production IG series by the same creator who made Ghost in the Shell, Ghost Hound, and Appleseed. I’m glad you actually take the time and bear with Real Drive, so keep it up. 😀
2. Depends… if I remember what a certain ep. was about, I don’t think pictures are really that necessary, but I guess it doesn’t hurt to try and recover all of them…
3. I doubt it. You have a wide range of variety from non-thinking to heavy-thinking series, if that makes any sense. I see Ergo Proxy in your archive, so I request Texhnolyze if you have time please. Posts are too short???
4. Not necessarily, if there’s something you see that you’d like to respond to, go for it. Otherwise you could just answer questions, I guess. (Anyone who asks that shitty question lack common sense on what not to ask…)
5. Are you into Touhou games, or the characters of Touhou? That’d be something different besides anime, as a suggestion, 😀
1) Seems just right to me. My only complaint for the moment is that you’re blogging Soul Eater : it is by no means a bad anime, but I don’t think it’s worth blogging, there’s nothing to say about it, you really have to see it for yourself.
It’s the first time I felt you’ve picked the wrong show to blog, it’s not that it bothers me or anything (it’s your blog, you do what you want with it), but yeah, I just wanted to point the fact that your Soul Eater are unfortunately not as interesting to read as your Kaiba posts.
2). I think these can wait.
3). As stated above, your rating system. I can’t make any difference between 83 and 84, and reading what you have to say about the show doesn’t help at all. I think you should give ratings for each category (Animation, Story, Characters, etc.), and explain in your actual review why such a category doesn’t affect much the final rating. For example, does the show really need good animation (Crystal Blaze), good characters (Death Note), good story (Gurren-Lagann), etc.
Also, I think you should try to write more in your series reviews. I think you don’t want to scare the reader with a wall’o’text, but I believe you have sometimes to cover certain points of an anime longer. You can have examples to support your points, for instance.
4). I think you should just try to show that you read the comments by commenting once in a while, if you feel inspired. Otherwise, don’t force yourself : we’re already reading what you have to say in the actual post. 😀
5). I don’t see any.
1. i think u blog enough series right now and a reason why i visit this blog is because you don’t give that much attention to the popular animes there are already many who write reviews about the popular ones so it is nice to see someone giving us a look into the more neglected series
2. it is not that important for the moment but it would be nice to see the pics back since also many people like to see images of the anime they want to start
3. i think it would be better if you would try to write the final review of an entire anime a bit longer,a more complex analyze of the series,you try to avoid spoilers so much sometimes that the review can suffer a bit but still that is also a good thing since i can read it without worrying that i might read a spoiler but still it would be better if you could try to combine the both and try to recapitulate better at the end all the pros and cons of the anime
also i think writing from time to time posts of different themes like the partial one with the animation was … it could be interesting
4. if you feel inspired write a reply if not …anyway i can’t say it bothers me 🙂
and i think that is kinda all anyway great blog one of the ones i visit the most often so keep the good job
1). I think that the amount of series that you’re blogging is very large, but nog too large, since you’re doing quite a good job on keeping up with those series. I also like the fact that you tend too blog popular series like Soul Eater and Macross F, but also unpopular series like Porfy no Nagai Tabi and Crystal Blaze. And I think you should keep doing that.
2). Well, actually I don’t think you should put your time in re-uploading those images, since I don’t look at them that much. If I really need to see some screenshots and I can’t find them here, I’ll look ’em up at another site or blog.
3). No.
4). I like the way you “ignore” the comments that don’t have a real question included. So I don’t think you should reply to everybody.
5). Maybe you should do something about the huge amount of series that you have listed in your Categories-bar. I have to scroll about 5 seconds (not that I’m a very busy man or something :P) before I can the search function.
1) I think the current ammount is perfect. This is my most frequently visited anime blog due to the fact that you discus and review series that many other blogs seem to forget entirely.
2) If these really are a hassle to you then i say just disregard them. Although people do like to get a feel for the visuals of a series, especially since this is an anime blog… I like Lika’s idea about having just 1 screencap for the old posts.
3) I love when your random reviews of older series pop up, but i would love to see a more in-depth analysis of the show, just as those above me have requested. I agree with Wind that you should reflect upon the different aspects of the series, but you could be more subtle than just splitting everything into catagories. I also agree that i can’t really tell the difference between an 83 and 84. But also i am aware that if you change your rating system dramatically it might make your huge archive of past reviews obsolete.
4)You shouldn’t need to reply to every single comment just the well written ones. (i.e. there’s no need to reply to immature comments like: “yur blog is dumb how can u giv a faggy show like this a higher score than Death Note”)
5)More random editorials! I’ve only seen one so far and it was one where you were ranting about Code Geass’s (cough) elegant plot twist (cough). I’d love to see more of you’re opinions on these kinds of things, as well as anything else you feel like writing about.
1. Kudos to blogging way-out-there, under-appreciated shows like Daughter of Twenty Faces, Real Drive, Amatsuki, and Himitsu. Without your blog, I wouldn’t even know these great shows existed (though I really wish the subs for them came out faster they do now). You keep a good consistency between the popular and the more obscure series, so no complaints here.
2. I’d just update the old screenshots as time permits, but definitely keep the more recent stuff up to date.
3. Maybe include some sort of spoiler code to your comment section?
4. Nah, people have lives to lead, why should you be any different. It’s understandable if you only reply to those pressing questions or issues that require more attention to detail. I wouldn’t sweat the small stuff.
5. Nope.
Let me start by saying I voted for the first impressions but the episodics are the real meat and potatoes of star crossed and the rest are all dandy and very useful.
1. I think the number of shows you blog is great (more than most blogs). In terms of popular series: definitely not, I enjoy the mix of the popular and the obscure and bits inbetween.
2. Not too important this, I wouldn’t bother with old episodic posts but the reviews and first impressions should probably be re-uploaded sometime as visual style leaves a big impression.
3. I really like the style of your posts (straight to point of view with little summary) and that you don’t have to ‘jump’ to see whole posts. The only thing I can think of is that you could have one of those boxes on the side where it shows who commented last on what. Also I guess for this to be effective you’d need to make the top box smaller (collapse finished series maybe).
4. I do think sometimes that when you ask questions and try to spark little debates in the comments section you should try and discuss your views a bit more. Discussions seem to peter out a bit too quickly in comments and you could help keep them going. again not essential and you’re a busy man.
5. maybe something about the scoring system but all in all it seems everyone is happy with what you’re doing.
1) the amount of series is quite fine if you ask me, it really comes down to what you personally have time with, if you can review more series its really only a plus
2)its not overly important, but then again, if you feel you have time to do it it is a good thing
3)i would have said no, but upon reading bruce’s comment, a score/synopsis thing would actually be quite nice
4)demanding you to respond to every comment would be quite ridiculous to be honest, sometimes people are quite general in their own oppions and i see no reason for an answer, on the other hand, if someone asks you a direct question in a polite manner, its always nice to get an answer. really boils down to if you haev time or not.
5)not that i can think of right now, no.
1). Just about right. Dunno about popular series but the ones u are doing, some seem very unknown to people though they are really great. Though if u can blog some more, thatd be pretty great. And most of the series ur doing is just wow, i wouldve never seen Simoun if it wasnt for you! Kudos on that part ^_^.
2). Though it doesnt seem important, I kinda really like to see some of the pictures.
3). Hmm not really missing anything, i like how it is.
4). No i dont really think so, itd be pretty dam ridiculous.
5). None ATM :]
1. Series you’re blogging
I’m very pleased with the series you’re blogging right now. No change needed in that department
2. Lost pictures
I don’t think it’s a really big deal. Considering you lost quite a lot of pictures and that they don’t really do much maybe you could out that on hold.
3. What this blog needs
Frankly I don’t think this blog needs much improvement since you’ve pretty much created a standard for yourself. Maybe a little change of layout once in a while would make it feel more warm. xD
Although, changing your rating system a bit would be nice. Maybe instead of using numbers go with a more subjective system? You know, ‘good watch, interesting watch, mediocre watch” that sort of thing.
4. Replying to comments
Well, not necessarily. Maybe try the mass comment replying method? Don’t force yourself though, the best comments are made when you’ve actually got something to say.
5. Anything else to add?
Nothing really, just keep up the good work! I do enjoy reading your analysis of the many series you watch.
Sorry for the double comment but
Maybe a comment editing system would be okay (if you’ve got the time, I’ve heard that these are hard to make)
Or maybe a latest posts section would be nice too. It could help people navigate a bit better! Sorry for the double post again. >_
I’m one of your new readers. I think the amount of anime you blog about is just about right. One thing I suggest is somehow to make a link or list of all your 273 anime reviews. I had to go through the whole list to see if you said anything about some of my favorite anime. I also think the pictures back would be nice, because I tend to read the posts with pictures and skip through the rest. :p
For me, I voted the first impressions since I always take your opinion before doing my own blogging. In a way, you influence my writing at THAT.
I also heavily made use of your season preview as a starting point for THAT’s own season preview. So it’s definitely awesome. ^_^
Joline, there is a list of all the anime he reviewed, it’s called “Review Index” and it’s right under the OVA section.
1) I like the fact that you are blogging so many shows. Judging by your monthly summaries you’re watching even more shows. The one about blogging to many popular shows is a joke right? I like the fact that you’re blogging other things then other bloggers out there. That you give more obscure and unpopular shows a chance.
2) If it is to much work then there is no need. I would like having them up again. When I am watching an older show that you have once blogged, I would prefer seeing the pictures next to the entry.
3) I second the “More random editorials”-request. I would love to see more of those. There have been quite some comments about the length of the reviews. I like the short reviews. If there would have been a synopsis I would have just scrolled over it. So, no complaints there.
4) If there is no direct question, then there is no real need to reply to them. Also, if the question is some complaint like “OMG, how dare you to insult insert popular show”
There isn’t that much need to answer it.
5) Nope.
Does somebody have the link to the Code Geass editorial ?
I can’t find it through the search function.
If it was indeed as awesome as they say, you may have a +1 from me for random editorials, psgels. 😉
That search-function continues to puzzle me. One time, it works perfectly, the other it doesn’t do anything… :S
Anyway: http://psgels.net/2007/03/28/some-thoughts-on-code-geass/
1) Just about right. ^_^
2) I like seeing screenshots ^^; Plain text bores me or doesn;t catch my attention. So yeah, I wish they were back up ^^; Hope you get a better image host soon.
3) More screenshots? They don’t have to be in high quality, but I really like seeing pictures. Ehehe.
And I recommend a new layout? Ehehe. I dunno if it’s just my pc, but to my eyes it looks . . .errr . . .squished? ^^;
And if it won’t be a bother for you, when you do series/movie reviews (as in completed/finished ones), could there also be character (with pic) descriptions? ^^; Aside form the story, characters also attract me in watching something. Ehehe.
What I didn’t like is the spam blocker. Yes, I udnerstand why it’s there. But I often get mistaken on the numbers because the “1” and “7” on the pic look similar to me ^^; So I needed to submit multiple times. It has been a hassle to me ^^; That’s why I don’t comment that often. Ehehe.
4) It’s not really necessary. It’s not your obligation. Ehehe.
I love reading replies though, but I guess it won’t matter since I won’t be alerted if you do reply to my comment (I don’t check out entries where I’ve commented more than once or twice ^^;). If I could receive alerts on your replies through e-mail, that would be nice. Hehe.
5) Can’t think of any.
I like your episodic summaries much more than overall summaries.
1) Just Right. There’s enough for me to check here now and again and see a new post. Plus, you cover a big range of obscure shows, which is great.
2) I think you should use only ONE picture for old articles. It’s less work and it still lets people differentiate between articles.
3) No – it’s fine how it is. But if you have any random thoughts or information that people may find interesting, it wouldn’t hurt to post them.
4) Unless someone is asking you an important question, you shouldn’t HAVE to answer comments.
5) Nope. Good job.
my 2 cents:
You’d improve if you limited spoilers on episode summaries. All the rest is fairly OK
That separation between reviews, anticipations and episodes listing is just pointless. I will not pick up any choice.
Your blog is monothematic: anime, anime and much anime. It’s not that you write about music, seiyuu or games so that a preferred thema or genre may arise.
About the quantity of anime to review: You manage what you feel like to blog, we just read. I don’t dare asking you other 1225436 series to blog.
I just say quality is better than quantity. And those who stops by Star Crossed fell quality in your job.
About communication. The blog is a bad place to start discussions. It’s sad to say but that’s it. It’s not required to answer every single opinion. Wanna convert Star Crossed in a forum? Uhm… not sure it’s a win move 😛
Sorry 3rd cent;
I was forgetting the pics!! They are indeed important. A good photo gallery ‘shows’ the ‘show’! People would like to watch to some image after reading about this and that of a serie. It shows design quality and hepls remeber who’s who in unwatched series.
The eyes are importante as well 🙂 I know i started Fairy Akazukin because i read it in your blog and watched the shots, and thought it was nice. I don’t know if i’d started it based only on words…
1).Just about right I would say :). Not too much to make one panic. The series that are reviewed are well-chosen and they are well likes by the majority ( at least i think so )
2)The pictures are important but i think you don’t really need to get back every single picture that you lost. I think your reviews worth a lot more than the pictures.
3). I realised that some animes that you review are not very popular, ( I dont understand why coz they are pretty darn good ). so sometimes i have trouble trying to download those good ones. may be state the erm availability of the anime>?
4). I dont think so. Its your choice really. Replying to every single comment can be rather time-consuming. Some questions are just plain dumb and pointless anyway.
5). Keep up the good job. I got to know a lot of nice series thanks to your reviews. 🙂 This is the only regular anime review site that i visit.
Sorry for the late comment, I haven’t come here in the last couple days, and so much has happened!!
I guess I’ll start with this survey (voted for Series Reviews), but I’ll make this quick. I apologize if there’s any bad spelling or grammer, since I’m in a rush.
1. It’s perfect at the moment.
2. Pictures are good, but they don’t need to be top priority. Take your time regathering them.
3. What Bruce said in the first comment. Those were nice. It’s also like a rating for the episode itself. The other thing I would have suggested has been implemented by the looks of it (new review system).
4. It’s your choice when it comes down to it.
5. You’ve been getting some flak lately because of your style of blogging. Don’t worry about those ignorant fools that don’t even bother to take a proper look around the site. Keep up the good work.
1) I get the feeling that if you blogged any more series, they’d be ones you weren’t interested in. That’s a vote for “just about right.”
2) Not important, a 5-second google image search gets me the same result without all of the work you’d have to put in every time an image site went under. I appreciate the four images for new episodes, especially so I can tell if I’ve seen already without reading potential spoilers, obiviously this doesn’t matter for the older stuff.
3) Nope, great job keeping me up-to-date on what’s new in the world of anime.
4) Absolutely not, don’t want to see you to get burned out responding to every little comment.
5) Not sold on the 7-star-scale, a “school grade” would make more sense to me (A-B-C-D-F), and you can throw in pluses and minuses to boot. I’m not super interested in the sub-scores as well, I won’t watch a poorly scripted, badly voice-acted, and shoddily animated series if the music is great.
And you’re probably sick of hearing this, but great site, and this is the only place I go for anime reviews.