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Interview With-
Auzzie-Phoenix
Auzzie-Phoenix: Well, it's a simple thing, really. I created the Shaolin Anime Club, because I wanted to have an anime club where anyone could join, free of charge, regardless of age, gender, or location. I feel that distance should not limit a person's ability to communicate with others who are interested in a shared interest.
Auzzie: Are there any membership dues, fees, or charges?
Auzzie-Phoenix: Absolutely not. The Shaolin Anime Club was created free, to be free to anyone who wishes to be a member. There will never be any dues, charges, or fees. I don't even link to websites that charge fees.
Auzzie: Who is eligible to become a member of the Shaolin
Anime Club?
Auzzie-Phoenix: Anybody who is a fan of Anime or Manga.
Auzzie: What is the largest obstacle that you face with the anime club?
Auzzie-Phoenix: The largest obstacle would have to be member participation... I try to get people interested in submitting content, using the message board, etc... but there's such a large amount of apathy coming from the members...
Auzzie: Why did you make the Shaolin Anime Club on the web?
Auzzie-Phoenix: It was in my personal opinion, that if a club was to be started, that invited anyone to join, regardless of location was to be successful, the medium involved could not be anything else other than the internet. This is because the internet reaches every corner of the globe. I feel that it is much more effective than any other means of supporting this type of club.
Auzzie: Are there any future activities planned for the Shaolin Anime Club?
Auzzie-Phoenix: Yes. I am planning a free anime convention sometime in the future. It won't be anytime soon, though, mostly because of financial reasons. I'm looking for it to be at least 2 years away.
Auzzie: Two years at least? Why?
Auzzie-Phoenix: Well, basically it's really simple. I have to save up enough money to be able to put the anime con together, and then there's all the planning involved with it. And cons are expensive... this is pretty much coming straight out of my pocket.
Auzzie: If it's so expensive... then why are you even going to hold one?
Auzzie-Phoenix: I like anime, other people like anime. I can't go to cons because of time restraints and pricing. In my opinion, commercialization of anime is the reason behind the high prices. And, like myself, there are people who can't attend cons because of this reason. Anime is meant to be enjoyed by many people, not just those who can afford it.
Auzzie: What is your favorite anime?
Auzzie-Phoenix: I don't have a favorite. I haven't seen all anime in existance, so how would I know if I like one better than one I haven't seen? But, if I had to choose, I would definitely pick Oh My Goddess!
Auzzie: What is your favorite Manga series?
Auzzie-Phoenix: That's tough. There's really 2 basic categories that I place manga in. Japanese based, and manga style... Japanese based would be titles like New Dominion Tank Police, by Masamune Shirow, and manga style would be like Gold Digger by Fred Perry. My favorite manga title is: Oh My Goddess!, and my favorite American manga title is: Gold Digger.
Auzzie: Fred Perry is a member of the Shaolin Anime Club, correct?
Auzzie-Phoenix: Yes, he is.
Auzzie: How did you get a well known comic artist/creator to join the Shaolin Anime Club?
Auzzie-Phoenix: Well, I was using IRC (internet relay chat), and I was connected to the Espernet network, chatting in the Fred Perry Fan Club chatroom (#fpfc_chat on espernet). Fred stopped by for a chat while I was getting people to sign up for the anime club. I asked Fred, and he said okay. Simple as that.
Auzzie: Has Fred seen the site?
Auzzie-Phoenix: I have no clue... I'll have to ask him if I ever see him in chat again.
Auzzie: Do you think Fred likes the anime club's website, if he's seen it?
Auzzie-Phoenix: I hope so... I put a lot of time into the website. When someone signs the guestbook and says you're doing a good job, it makes it worthwhile... like what you're doing has some sort of an impact.
Auzzie: What about other people who look at the site, do you care what they think about it?
Auzzie-Phoenix: Of course I care what they think about it. I love to get feedback on websites that I work on. If I'm doing a good job in their opinion, it's good to hear about it. If they don't think I'm doing a good job, I'm open to constructive criticism, so long as it's not outright slamming such as saying "Your site sucks!!! Come here instead: http://blah blah blah...".
Auzzie: What are your favorite parts about anime/manga?
Auzzie-Phoenix: My favorite parts of anime or manga would happen to be storyline, and artwork. If I like the storyline, I'll watch the anime or read the manga. If the artwork is good, I enjoy it even more.
Auzzie: You seem to have negative feelings towards Dragonball Z, Sailor Moon, and Pokemon... why is that?
Auzzie-Phoenix: For this question, I will have to give specific reasons for each anime...
1.) Dragonball Z- To me, it lacks an actual storyline, and certainly lacks when it comes to originality, variety, and artwork. All the episodes are the same, but with different bad guys, the artwork isn't all that great, and as for storyline... there is virtually none.
2.) Sailor Moon- I don't like sailor moon. One reason is that it's annoying, the second reason is that it is so commercialized that many people only relate to sailor moon when the word anime is mentioned. It's more original than Dragonball Z, and seems to have more of a storyline to it, however. It's not my type of anime, so I don't watch it. But I still think that people shouldn't relate all anime to Sailor Moon... there's much more anime out there, and a lot of it is much better than Sailor Moon.
3.) Pokemon- I really don't like this anime series. The artwork is worse than that of Dragonball Z, and it's way too commercial. I used to have to stock shelves with those electronic talking pikachu dolls... talk about annoying. You see pokemon everywhere you turn. The storyline is pretty weak, too, but at least it has one, unlike Dragonball Z.
Auzzie: As my final question for you, what was the first anime that you've ever watched?
Auzzie-Phoenix: That would be Robotech: Macross Saga, during the first season of Cartoon Network's Toonami program. That was back in 1997.
Auzzie: I would like to thank you for doing this interview.
Auzzie-Phoenix: You're welcome.