Good evening everyone, and happy Wednesday.
On Saturday, September 19, Anime Herald celebrated its sixteenth anniversary. Exactly sixteen years to that day, we kicked everything off with a simple, two-paragraph post introducing ourselves to the world.
Looking back, I can’t help but feel humbled when I see how far we’ve come, both as a publication and as a community. In those early days, anime was in a vastly different place. The industry was recovering from a crash that caused a seismic shift across the greater landscape. Stalwart organizations like Central Park Media and Geneon Entertainment had shuttered, as ADV Films, the former industry leader, breathed its final gasps. Funimation moved to amass immense power in the vacuum, while Crunchyroll was quickly becoming a new darling among fans and licensors alike.
In the years that followed, we were fortunate to have grown and evolved within this new world, working with writers new and old alike. We’ve grown from a scrappy solo operation, to a full-fledged publication with a talented team, united in our mission to elevate the voices of anime fans everywhere. However, we don’t walk this road alone; our readers, friends, and colleagues have all continued to offer words of support, and given us the drive to bring our very best, day after day./
Most recently, we took our first steps into a new frontier. Anime Herald Magazine, our new print publication, launched its first issue in December. We introduced ourselves with ten new articles by living legends like Daryl Surat, Lynzee Loveridge, and Erica Friedman, all brought to life through fantastic layouts by Katy Castillo. José Salot (Pepegraphix) drew the stunning cover art that ties everything together.
The entire book felt like an impossible dream, come to life. I’m still floored that we made it happen, to this day. To date, more than eight hundred people have enjoyed this inaugural issue, and I’m just grateful to everyone who’s put their faith in us, once more.
We launched our second issue just last month, bringing ten all-new articles by incredible writers like Coop Bicknell, Caitlin Moore, and George Horvath. Katy Castillo returned to breathe life into the publication with her outstanding layout designs, and Tim Eldred crafted a gorgeous cover art piece that elicits a summer festival vibe.
I still don’t really know how to express how thankful I am that we’re able to do this. That we’re able to publish a print magazine that stays true to our values, while bringing so many immensely talented people together; while paying fair rates to everyone; while doing the same online.
I’m genuinely grateful that, all these years later, we can keep writing and publishing stories that make you think, or just put a smile on your face. Whether it’s a dissection of Train to the End of the World’s themes and commentaries, or a history of Uma Musume character Oguri Cap’s real-life inspiration, I’m proud of the fact that we’re still sharing the work of the talented writers and editors in the community, and paying them fairly.
In 2012, I first said that without you, there is no Anime Herald. To this day, I still hold those words close to my heart. Without your energy and your support, we’d be just another voice echoing into oblivion. Your friendship and passion give us reasons to continue day after day, as we look into the future.
While I’m unable to predict what will happen tomorrow, let alone ten years from now, I sincerely hope that we’ll be able to keep producing Anime Herald as a publication that you enjoy and trust, for as long as I’m able to hold a pen. Even as the industry undergoes another seismic shift, for better or worse, I intend to stand beside you, as you have for us over the past sixteen years.
I’m eternally grateful for your support, and I hope you look forward to what we’re working on over the coming year.
