Vinland Saga an Anime Worth Watching!

Vinland Saga an Anime Worth Watching!

Vinland Saga and the Age of Vikings.

Vinland Saga is one of the most popular anime of 2019. The first season of this anime got a lot of mixed reviews from the anime community.

I personally believe that the first season of Vinland Saga had a lot of problems, but I still think that this anime is a masterful work in the making.

Today, we are going to take a closer look at all of the different aspects of this anime. Before we get started, let’s take a look back at the plot of this anime.

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In this anime, we follow the story of a young boy named Thorfinn. Thorfinn used to be a naïve boy, and he lived in a village in Iceland. Thorfinn was living a relatively peaceful life, but then his father was killed right in front of his eyes.

The boy got enraged and swore that he would get strong and avenge the murder of his beloved father. Thorfinn embarks on a very dark path as he becomes a mercenary to get his revenge. Being driven by revenge, Thorfinn starts to forget his father’s teachings.

The plot of this anime does seem pretty intense, but it is not very impressive. Plot-wise, Vinland Saga seems like a pretty one directional show. And yes, the first season of this anime is hugely one-directional.

The entire first season just gives us the revenge-story of this naïve boy, and it gets extremely dull as we keep on watching.

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Viking Quote:

Robert Low

“Man without a sword is still a warrior, but one with no shield is just a target.”

If this anime is this one-directional, then why am I calling it a masterful work in the making?

Vinland Saga’s story is going to develop with every new season! According to the manga readers, the story of this anime is going to evolve in more ways than one. Of course, we are still going to follow the story of Thorffin, but Thorfinn will slowly grow up.

Whilst watching the first season of this anime, we all forgot about the main thing that this whole show revolves around. It is Vinland. Vinland is a fertile land which has never known war. This peaceful land will help Thorfinn create a new life for himself.

In the next season of Vinland Saga, Thorfinn is finally going to understand the true meaning of his father’s teachings. Another thing that was disliked by the viewers regarding Vinland Saga was the fact that this show did not really focus much on the side characters.

Vinland Saga has some of the most brilliantly written anime characters, and I believe that all of those characters got proper screen-time. Yes, the show mostly focused on Thorfinn’s story, but the show also introduced us to the stories of all the important side characters.

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I believe that Vinland Saga is going to become one of the top. The show has brilliant animation, amazing characters and a beautiful premise.

The writing was not the most original beginning in the first season, but it is going to evolve as Thorfinn starts to become a more diverse character.

All of you should watch Vinland Saga as this anime gives us a bit of everything. Even the first season of this anime is exhilarating to watch, and I would give it a rating of 8/10.

Below are a few manga’s that also carries a great story, action, and world building.


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Written by Zorez

18-year-old Zorez is a talented writer, and yes, also an anime enthusiast. Skilled in research, he has been working as a freelance writer for some years now. When not writing, Zorez is a guitarist by hobby.

Is Attack on Titan Worth the Hype?

Is Attack on Titan Worth the Hype?

Attack on Titan Season 4 release date Fall 2020.

Attack on Titan is one of the most popular action-shounen anime in the world with Season 4 stated to be the last and final chapter. It is seen by many as an absolute masterpiece in terms of animation and even story.

Though, there are those who call this anime overrated, I’m here to argue against it.

Personally, I believe that Attack on Titan deserves all the love that it gets!

Bear that this is my opinion as a anime fan and you have your own right to believe differently. With that out of the basket, let’s begin!

Yes, this anime was not the best at the start, but it became better with time as each new season uncovered more and more of the rich story.

Attack on Titan’s story developed in a brilliant and unique way with a special blend of complexity that breeds conspiracy theorist. We learned of the trials each character undertook, but their past, who they become, and the history of the world is what drove home.

Let’s take a closer look at all the different aspects of this anime.

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Anime Quote:

Hajime Isayama

“Someone who cannot abandon everything cannot achieve anything.”

First the Plot *Slight Spoiler*.

The plot of this anime is set in an alternate universe in which humanity has been sent to the brink of extinction. Giant man-eating monsters known as the titans have dominated the entire planet! The remaining humans live behind three huge walls to protect themselves from these ferocious creatures.

We follow the story of Eren Yeager, who hates the current state of his people. Eren believes that humanity is not safe behind these walls, and he was right.

One day, the titans suddenly break through the walls and kill hundreds of innocent people. Eren’s mother also dies as a result of this attack, and this boy swears to kill every last titan in the entire world.

The plot of this anime sounds quite unique and exciting, but also a little too straightforward. However, this plot evolves as the story progresses. Attack on Titan is actually an incredibly complicated show which evolves with every new season. More info on this would spoil it for you.

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Next is the Animation.

The art and animation in this anime is top-notch with a style that have slight influences from Claymore!

In fact, the animation is one of the significant strong points of this anime as this show feels like a breathtaking rollercoaster ride. Every scene is drawn in the most fluid and beautiful manner, and the transitions between scenes are also done just right. Wit Studio has done a remarkable job with this masterpiece.

Did I mention Characters?

The characters in this anime are all very diverse and realistic in terms that you can relate with them and even understand decisions made. The characters are not just represented by a single trait, and their personalities also evolve over the show’s run.

You can’t help but fall in love with all of the different characters in this series as they can be extremely relatable. This show pays a lot of attention to both the primary and side characters.

Lastly is the Soundtrack.

The soundtrack of this anime are both extraordinarily emotional and epic by all proportions. They are produced in the most heavenly manner, and the transition between them and how they are implemented in the series is just plain beautiful.

Final Thoughts…

The first season of Attack on Titan is decent, but not my favorite. It does not make this series a masterpiece, unless you continue watching the seasons that come after. The best thing about this anime is the fact that the story gets better with every new season.

If we consider this series as a whole, then I would definitely call it a classic masterpiece.

Aside from the complex, yet rich story. It also involves some very intricate topics like politics and war that can stir the mind. In the end, I have respect for it and highly recommend it. This hyped-up anime deserves a watch by every member of the anime community!


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Written by Zorez

18-year-old Zorez is a talented writer, and yes, also an anime enthusiast. Skilled in research, he has been working as a freelance writer for some years now. When not writing, Zorez is a guitarist by hobby.

Fantasy Strike Sets a New Standard For Fight Games

Fantasy Strike Sets a New Standard For Fight Games

How Fantasy Strike is Setting a new Standard?

It’s frustrating to be a part of the fighting game space. A genre that was once popular with gamers of all stripes, it’s now relegated into the land of niche communities. Many would claim it was the advent of first-person shooters that knocked fighters off their throne, which may well be a contributing factor.

Another reason for this fall from grace, however, that often gets ignored by both the fighting game community and brawler devs is stagnation. There’s a distinct lack of risk-taking on the part of development companies who are likely trying too hard not to lose the hardcore fans of the genre. Very few are daring to improve their titles both in terms of player approachability and feature functionality. 

Fantasy Strike, an indie fighter designed by the legendary David Sirlin, has recently come out of early access and into the realm of free-to-play to demonstrate that fighters can evolve.

Easy to Learn, Hard to Master

As any fighting game player worth their salt will tell you, the true beauty of the genre lies in its mind game based strategy. Defeating an opponent by unravelling their gameplan and crushing every option they have is a feeling that is hard to come by in other competitive games. Getting to that point as a new or more casual player, however, is mired by the genre’s obsession with mechanical execution.

Fantasy Strike does away with the elaborate motions and foregoes the complex frame-perfect combos and puts you straight into the heart of things. Every move has its own button or combination of a direction and button, meaning you don’t have to spend time outside of the actual gameplay to play. What’s interesting is that Fantasy Strike gives you the option to assign jumping to a button instead of the up direction, effectively turning it into a move you have to consider. It’s a neat little psychological trick when you consider that jumping is a risky commitment in a lot of fighting game situations.

This all isn’t to say, however, that Fantasy Strike is an easy game to get good at. While the simplicity of its controls makes it an approachable game, the winner will always be the better player. Every tactic, every move, every trick your opponent throws at you is ‘A’ and like a detective, you have to find the right solution. Battles in fighting games are like intricate puzzles of figuring out your opponent’s tendencies and what makes their character strong. The difference in Fantasy Strike is that applying the pieces to this puzzle isn’t a frustrating battle with its controls. All you need to do is focus on the match in front of you.

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Fantasy Quote:

Dr. Suess

“I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living.”

Quick and Smooth Online Experience

Fighting games at their core are multiplayer games, this is undeniable. The lion’s share of players out there don’t pick them up for their storytelling prowess and AI battles. It’s all about testing your might against human opponents. All the more baffling how most fighting game devs refuse to implement good netcode into their games.

Fighting game netcode has been a solved problem since the first stable release of GGPO – a middleware for playing fighters online – in 2015. The creator of GGPO, a fighting game player himself, employed a technique called “rollback” which effectively make online matches feel more like their offline counterparts.

Fantasy Strike employs a proprietary version of the rollback netcode which delivers an incredibly smooth experience. I have played several matches with players from various parts of the world and can attest that for the most part, they have been both playable and enjoyable. What’s more, Fantasy Strike makes finding matches incredibly easy through a one-click-queue system.

Pick your character for casual and team for ranked, click a button and you’re queued up for both modes. You can head into training mode or view any of the character spotlights while you wait. It sounds like something not worth mentioning. However, I have elected to spend plenty a short downtime to get a few quick matches thanks to how quick and easy it is to do so.

No More Hidden Information

Possibly one of the most frustrating aspects of fighting games is their tendency to hide crucial information. Whether through vague UIs or lack thereof, there are details hidden behind the seams that oftentimes leave players scratching their heads. Take frame advantage, for instance. Without any clear visual representation for why your opponent can continue to hit you, you’re often deferred to reading long spreadsheets to find gaps in their offence.

That is, gaps in their animations as fighting games are heavily dependent on them. Fantasy Strike uses colored hit and block sparks to indicate if you are at advantage or not. A move that lands with a blue spark on your opponent’s block means you are clear to keep going while a red spark signifies the end of your offence. It’s a simple idea that brings such an important piece of information to the forefront.

In the words of one of the greatest fighting game players of all time, Tokido, fighting games are something great. They are extremely rewarding because of the sheer amount of concentration and skill they expect of you. The frustrating part is how the space itself has refused for years to open its gates to more people by creating approachable experiences.

At the same time, publishers are making up for perpetually locking their games in a niche status by riddling them with microtransactions, including DLC characters. Fantasy Strike’s features coupled with its approach to free-to-play that makes all characters available without paying a dime are more than just a gaming package; they’re a call for a better fighting game standard. One that can potentially bring the genre back to its glory days of yore.

Wish to start playing now? Click here!

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Yannis is a veteran gamer with over 25 years of experience across the spectrum of genres. He enjoys spending time with his family, livestreaming on Twitch and occasionally dishing out unsolicited dad advice. Also catch him on IG.

The Tale of the Lapsed Destiny 2: Beyond Light Player

The Tale of the Lapsed Destiny 2 Player

What has become of Destiny 2?

I’ve always loved the Destiny universe. Ever since Bungie revealed the game back in 2013, I knew it was the type of shooter I would be playing for a long time. Something about being a Not-A-Power-Ranger is space appealed to my primal instincts, and despite some of the broken promises during the game’s launch—I stuck around. The combat was fluid and flexible, experimenting with load outs and abilities was addicting, and participating in raids with strangers was some of the best fun I’ve ever had in a game. I ended up sinking over 1,000 hours into the original Destiny.

So, you can probably understand I was quite excited at the prospect of playing Destiny 2, and played it at launch, but something was off about it. The familiar and smooth combat was still there. As well as the core of the game I enjoyed so much was intact. Everything else, however, felt lacking. It was as though the 3 years of improving the original game never happened. I ended up quitting. I can’t exactly put my finger on the exact reason. Perhaps having a baby in the interim had something to do with it, or maybe it wasn’t as familiar a game as I’d hoped.

I continued following Destiny 2 news hoping for some updates that may grab me, and grab me eventually it did. Bungie’s most recent livestream outlining a Destiny 2 future minus Activision’s shackles struck a lot of positive chords. I jumped back in as soon as the Season of Arrivals began and then it hit me.

The amount of catching up I had to do was, to say the least—paralyzing. After picking up the new season content via Eververse, I figured I should hit up the new content. After all, it’s right there on my map pinging for my attention. That was a mistake. Upon landing on Io where the new public events were taking place I quickly realized I wasn’t just under-leveled; I wasn’t even so much as tickling the enemies in front of me. After several one-shot deaths, I knew I had to take a step back and do some leveling.

But where do I even begin with that? Reminding me where I had left off before my early retirement wasn’t something the game was willing to do. There were so many quests in my log with no idea which ones would give me the loot that I need to increase my…light level? Power level? Don’t get me started on the naming of stuff in Destiny 2. Frustration led to me going for the one thing I could always count on: Strike binging.

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Game Quote:

Ghost – Destiny

“Welcome to the last safe City on Earth—the only place the Traveler can still protect. It took centuries to build. Now… we’re counting every day it stands..”

Destiny 2: Beyond Light

 The expansion to Destiny is scheduled to be released on November 10, 2020!

I queued up for the normal Strikes playlist and hoped for the best. Matchmaking came smoothly and I was sent off into a Strike I had never done before. What’s more, I was greeted by two teammates with shinier looking gear than mine. We blasted through that sucker in less than 15 minutes with the boss fight ending before I could even land a few good shots in.

The shower of loot that followed was glorious, though. All pieces that made my power jump several numbers. I knew I had hit the jackpot. After nearly 2 hours of doing Strike after Strike, my character not only had become more powerful but I had a lot of fun in the process. It was the same kind of fun I remember having during Year 3 Destiny 1 where you could do anything in the game and still be rewarded for it.

Destiny 2 had once again become a fun game for me. As an always tired adult who juggles between his day job, a family with a toddler, game writing and being a wannabe Twitch streamer, it’s the kind of casual fun I crave when the opportunity presents itself. I’m not shackled to do anything specific before granted the privilege of doing actual fun activities. If I feel like blasting other people in the face, I can head to the Crucible.

If I just want to mindlessly end waves of AI enemies, there are Strikes. And if I just want to torture myself by dying repeatedly, there’s Iron Banner and Gambit. Regardless of what I do, I’ll still be able to progress my character and that’s always been one of the best things about Destiny. Having a blast on your own terms.

Wish to play Destiny 2, especially with Beyond Light around the corner, give it a try? Click here, or check out titles that could be just as fun below.

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Yannis is a veteran gamer with over 25 years of experience across the spectrum of genres. He enjoys spending time with his family, livestreaming on Twitch and occasionally dishing out unsolicited dad advice. Also catch him on IG.

Summer 2020 Anime

Summer 2020 Anime

2020 Summer Season of Anime

There is definitely a lot to look forward to!

The Summer Season of Anime has just started, and it plans on giving us some of the best and most-awaited titles of 2020. Whether it is the newer season of an already aired anime or a completely new series, this summer season is totally packed, despite state of events in the world!

Of course, just like every other season, there are also some not-so-good titles coming out this season. If you are not an avid anime watcher, then you might get a little confused as to which series you should be investing your time on. Today, I’ve compiled together a list of the best anime that are releasing in the summer season of 2020.

Now, without further ado, let’s get started!

The God of High School

First of all, let’s just address the elephant in the room! God of High School is the most anticipated upcoming anime of summer 2020. This anime is going to be one of the most important shows of 2020 as it is not the adaption of a manga.

The story for this anime has actually been adapted from a South Korean manhwa written by Yongje Park, and serialized by Naver Webtoon. You can read it now in english at Line Webtoon. The plot of this anime follows the story of a young boy named Mori Jin, who is a specialist of a new type of Taekwondo called Renewal Taekwondo. Our hero’s tale begins when he decides to take part in a fighting tournament which involves the inhabitants of three different realms.

The first realm is the Human Realm, mainly composed of humans and mirroring our own Earth. It’s one the weakest between the Sage Realm and the Heavenly Realm. These two realms we will learn much from, but it is heavily influenced by our mythology and the Gods across the world from various cultures.

This is a anime that has had a huge following, and it’s just growing.

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Anime Quote:

Roy Mustang, Full Metal Alchemist

“The world isn’t perfect. But it’s there for us, doing the best it can . . . that’s what makes it so damn beautiful.”

The Misfit of Demon King Academy

A unique isekai anime is also coming out in the summer season. The Misfit of Demon King Academy takes a brand-new approach towards the isekai genre.

The protagonist in this anime is not just an average person, but a demon lord. The guy was getting tired of being the strongest being in the entire world, so he decided to travel 2000 years into the future.

So far this title has sold over 850,000 copies of the light novel series, and thus expectations are high on this one too.

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Rent-a-Girlfriend

Rent-a-Girlfriend is going to be this season’s best rom-com. Rent-a Girlfriend also has a manga version, written and illustrated by Reiji Miyajima, which is fairly popular.

The anime gives us the story of Kazuya Kinoshita, who only recently got dumped by his girlfriend. However, there is nothing to worry about as he can just rent a girlfriend to feel better about himself using this online app.

He rents Chizuru Mizuhara, but she seems too perfect and her rating shows it too. Thus, Kazuya writes her a low rating, and her seemingly too perfect personality goes right out the window. Things spin out of control, and what comes after is worth watching.

Deca-Dence

Deca-Dence is a highly anticipated original anime that will finally air in the summer season. This anime has a very unique plot which is set in an alternate universe. Humanity is sitting at the brink of extinction thanks to the sudden appearance of the unknown life forms, Gadoll.

From the trailer, we can easily tell that this anime is going to have breathtaking visuals, so the whole anime community is impatiently waiting for this release.

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New Anime Seasons To Look Out For!

Re: Zero Season 2

Re: ZERO Season 2 is one of the most awaited anime series that are coming out this summer. In this season, we will finally find out some more information regarding Subaru’s incredible yet deadly power. Expect it broadcasting in July 8th, 2020.

Sword Art Online Alicization

Sword Art Online Alicization War of Underworld Part 2 is going to be the final season of the Alicization series. In this season, our boy Kirito will finally wake up and hopefully, win the war. Expect this epic to be out on July 10th, 2020.

Fire Force Season 2

Fire Force Season 2 is going to be just as amazing as the first season. This sequel will bring back all of our favorite characters and also introduce some new faces. Guess what?

This baby started airing July 3rd, 2020! If you missed out on season 1, I highly recommend you give this a shot.

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Written by Zorez

18-year-old Zorez is a talented writer, and yes, also an anime enthusiast. Skilled in research, he has been working as a freelance writer for some years now. When not writing, Zorez is a guitarist by hobby.

What Makes Kaguya Sama: Love is War so Good?

What Makes Kaguya Sama: Love is WAR so Good?

Kaguya-sama: Love Is War

The second season of this anime is currently ranked number 22nd on MYANIMELIST.

Not only that, the manga sales of Kaguya Sama: Love is War have hit over 9 million copies in print as of December 2019, and the numbers will only continue to increase from here on out, if the series keeps doing what it’s doing.

Now this brings us to the question . . .

What makes Kaguya Sama: Love is War so good?

The answer to this manga is simple and it begins with it’s high level of storytelling. The more it goes on, the deeper it gets, and the more we learn about the complex personalities of the characters. It allows the readers and viewers of the series to become easily invested.

This may not seem very different from other manga or anime that also follow a complex high school setting, but it is.

The very fact that Kaguya Sama: Love is War goes deeper is when portraying the personalities of the characters as its strength, but of course, that’s not all there is to it.

Let’s just break it down and see what makes it so good.

Plot:

Now here’s where it gets interesting. Even though the manga already has hundreds of chapters and is currently on-going, the plot of this story is very simple.

Two characters have made it a point in their heads that whoever confesses first to the other, loses.

See?

If it weren’t for the great storytelling, this manga wouldn’t have lasted more than a year. In other words, the plot is the foundation of this manga and it is what moves the story forward, but that’s only the basic structure.

It is just as I said before, the real strength of this anime lies in the characters.

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Manga Quote:

Ai Hayasaka -Aka Akasaka

“If you don’t put on an act, you won’t be loved.”

Characters:

Back in the first season there were only four main characters, but with the release of the second season, we got to see a new main character.

This made the show way more interesting than it previously was. No wonder fans are claiming that the second season is better than the first one. Not to mention, how good it is ranking on anime sites.

The addition of one more main character doesn’t always work, but in this case, it has.

Suggestions fall on the narration, and how each character is unique yet easy to understand.

I am not just talking about the main characters either, even the supporting characters are fun to watch and observe.

Well I guess, it’s just the nature of Kaguya Sama: Love is War to make us feel connected with the characters.

Art and Animation:

The animation of the first season wasn’t half bad, in fact, it was above average. At least until the second season came around which quickly surpassed the first one.

Kudos to everyone from studio A-1 Pictures who is working on this anime.

As for the visuals, they are crazy good and pleasing to the eye. Even an amateur can tell that this anime is some top tier stuff judging from the visuals alone.

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Voice acting:

Kaguya Sama: Love is War is one of those anime where a narrator does the job of sarcastically explaining everything that is happening in the anime, and if it weren’t for his brilliant voice acting, the narration could have even ruined the anime.

It’s not just the narrator either, all of the voice characters have done a splendid job. You even can hear their voices speaking inside your head when you try to read the manga, that is the level of competence we are talking about.

Another thing that makes this anime great is the fact that Kaguya Sama: Love is War tells us right away, who is the main couple. That’s why there are no love triangles or any of the other cringe stuff that is typical for the genre.

The second season of this anime will end soon and it’ll make many fans turn to the manga to find out what happens next.

We are about to see some very interesting developments in the last two episodes.

That’s all folks!

Below are a few manga titles that you may also enjoy to read . . .


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Written by Talha Ahmad

Talha Ahmad, has a knack of anime, manga, and everything nerdy. He loves writing stories and creating illustrations. He plans on creating an original work of art too, someday.

The Most Popular Anime of Spring 2020: Tower of God

The Most Popular Anime of Spring 2020

Tower of God

What is the hype behind this Webtoon?

It’s no wonder that Tower of God is the most popular ongoing non sequel of Spring 2020.

The source of this anime is a Korean Line Webtoon of the same name that has been around for almost a decade, and as of February 2020, this Webtoon has gained over 4.5 billion views worldwide.

You and I both know that this is no ordinary feat.

Thus, it was only natural the anime would gain traction by attracting Webtoon readers.

If you haven’t watched this anime yet, now is the best time. Especially, with the anime reaching its climax in a week, and with all the fuzz going around the internet . . . you could get spoiled anytime.

This series has a lot to offer and if the next season gets announced early then nothing would be stopping the anime from becoming a major hit.

There are over 400 chapters of the Webtoon and it is still ongoing with each chapter pulling in more readers. That’s around 300 episodes worth of material for the anime.

For now let’s talk about this anime and the hype about?

Plot:

The story revolves around a common goal, which is to reach the top of a tower, and anyone who gets to the top can get anything they desire.

Be it honor and pride, power and influence, money and riches, revenge or to transcend all such things . . .

At the top of the tower exists everything in the world.

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Comic Quote:

Tower of God, Ja Wangnan

“I’ll become the King of this Tower! And I will destroy it all! Even if, I have to hold hands with the Devil!”

Though the plot is all about climbing a tower, this tower is more like another world with limitless possibilities.

As a matter of fact, the strength of the story isn’t the plot itself. It’s the world building, character development, and adventure.

Just like One Piece, Tower of God is also all about an ever expanding story

that will only continue to get better and deeper as it goes on.

Characters:

The two most popular anime characters of this season are both from Tower of God: Khun and Endorsi.

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Khun is a calm and judgmental type. From what we have seen so far, there are possible hints of a troubled past, but it’ll still be a while before we learn what actually happened to him.

Endorsi is a smart and cunning lady who knows what she wants. She doesn’t seem to care much about those around her, but does she? I guess, time will tell.

Even though both of these characters are the most popular, there’s hardly anything that we know about them. We can try to elaborate on what we have, but it still leaves the question unanswered, what are their ambitions? Pasts? Personalities?

That’s exactly what Tower of God is about. In this story, we start with the characters from the beginning and gradually discover the world together with them. Little by little, their pasts also come into light and before we know it, we start feeling an emotional connection with the characters. This brings us to the main character named Bam.

For a long time, he had only known darkness.

He didn’t know human language, customs, and traditions. Bam also didn’t even know how to love or hate, and because his character is so bleak, fans seem to dislike the fact that he is the main character, but even if some fans hate the main character now, they will come to like him. This is just the nature of the story we are getting ourselves into.

Now that we are talking about Characters. Crunchyroll has announced an illustration competition for all the Tower of God fans.

The deadline is 22nd July, 2020 which is only a couple of days before the final episode of the anime.

Link below:

Crunchyroll Contest

Well, for Crunchyroll to arrange something like this was expected since it is Crunchyroll who licensed the anime, but even so, not every anime gives fans this sort of opportunities to share their talent with the entire fanbase.

As I said before, the first season of this anime will end in a week.

The best case scenario would be for the second season to get announced immediately, but even if that doesn’t happen, we have another Webtoon anime adaptation coming up in July to look forward to . . . The God of High School.

And the hype around that title is also very real. You do not want to miss out on this one too.

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Written by Talha Ahmad

Talha Ahmad, has a knack of anime, manga, and everything nerdy. He loves writing stories and creating illustrations. He plans on creating an original work of art too, someday.

What is a Beta Reader

What is a Beta Reader

Beta Readers are Vital.

What is a BETA reader? It’s a question I frequently hear in the author community. The Oxford Dictionary gives a to the point definition that reads, “A person who reads a work of fiction before it is published, to mark errors and suggest improvements, typically without receiving payment.” This definition is accurate, and as an author, BETA readers are an essential piece to the writing process and every author’s journey.

As an author, you should have a firm understanding of the benefit of having multiple BETA readers, and what effects they have on the success of a manuscript. BETA readers are the first to look at a revised manuscript. Even before the document goes to an editor, Beta readers will go through chapter by chapter and deliberately break down the story. They’ll read the manuscript for typos, plot flaws, confusion in dialogue, flaws in character consistency, and more. It would be embarrassing to publish a manuscript that has the main character as a blond on line one, and as a redhead online fifty. Moreover, because BETA readers read from the point of view of the average reader, they can catch these little yet critical flaws.

So how does an author find such valuable assets? Fortunately for today’s author, they can find almost everything they are looking for on Facebook and Twitter. Finding BETA readers by searching for groups on Facebook and Twitter using keywords, such as Fantasy as your genre, add BETA groups. Follow other authors who write in your genre and some who don’t. You can find excellent BETAs who follow Dean Koontz, and also enjoy David Baldacci. You can also use reading-related hashtags to help draw attention to your search.

Some groups meet in person. You can find group posts in libraries and bookstores, as well as dedicated websites with the intent of helping you connect with BETA readers. Some authors, myself included, will put a call to action in their newsletter, asking their established audience to BETA read their new work. Once an author has located a BETA reading group, they should introduce themselves, including the genre they write. Start a conversation offering to BETA read for others in the group.

It is essential that authors not have a personal connection with their BETA readers. Not having a personal connection allows the reader to give a sincere critique without fear of damaging a relationship. However, starting conversations and growing healthy professional relationships with BETA readers is vital.

Some authors choose to have a single BETA reader. The majority of authors recommend having multiple BETA readers with various backgrounds and skill sets. Changes will be suggested, allowing the story to be cleaner and more precise once the author is ready to send the polished manuscript to the editor. Having a manuscript, BETA read often results in faster editing times and possibly lower editing costs.

READ GLACIAS

Reader Quote:

Ursula K. Le Guin

“The unread story is not a story; it is little black marks on wood pulp. The reader, reading it, makes it live: a live thing, a story.”

Once you have decided how many BETA readers you want (3 to 10 is ideal) to work with, it is wise to set up a private group to communicate with BETA readers. There you can post files with documents explaining what the author’s expectations are—having a clear written agreement and a list of expectations. Listing specific items you want, a few examples are (a) Did the story hold your interest from the very beginning? If not, why? Was there a point at which you felt the story lagged, or you became less than excited about finding out what was going to happen next? Where, exactly? Giving your readers specific questions to focus on will help them to focus on the overall plot, pacing of the story, continuity, and tone. One recommendation you can make to your BETA’s is to write down a list of questions they have about each chapter, and see if the end of the story answers them. If the questions on the list remain unanswered, or they have new questions about your book.

Including a clear NDA allows transparency between the author and readers. This type of information is an important detail. Seasoned BETA readers know an unpublished manuscript is not for the general public, but having it in writing, and having detailed items, protects your work.

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Once you’ve formed your group and sent them the manuscript, be sure to have a posted due date. Typically, an author will post single chapters, or several chapters at a time, depending on the length of the novel. Giving each section a due date helps BETA readers schedule their time, and know that they are staying on track. At the end of each section, have a questionnaire available for BETAs to fill out. Giving them the ability to express their thoughts while they are reading, and once finished a place to express their final thoughts and any suggestions. Beta readers help strengthen an author’s manuscript. After all, we write for our readers, so who best to help us give them what they want than readers.

Learn to love criticism. One of the best things I have learned from BETA readers is to find learning moments in negative feedback. Sometimes, your BETA readers come with heavy hands, and honesty can be hard to hear. But if you look at what your BETAs are saying and don’t agree with their feedback, you don’t have to use it. However, always remember that they are part of your target audience, their critiques, even though sometimes harsh, have value to them. If, for example, the majority of your BETAs do not react to a specific scene in your story, you might need to reword it. Don’t be afraid to rewrite a scene or even an entire chapter to achieve your desired reaction.

Finally, be sure to show BETA readers appreciation. Thanking them can be done in so many ways. Offer to BETA read for their own stories, give an electronic advanced reader copy, or gift card if you so wish. Whatever the author chooses to do, let the BETA readers know that their hard work and time is appreciated. Let them know they are a valuable asset, a real treasure in author life. Because when you do, your BETAs will stick with you through your incredible author journey.

We hope you enjoyed this article by Dana Gaulin Writes! Below are a few titles that should be read at least once in your life time.

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Written by Dana Gaulin Writes

Dana Gaulin, author of The Awakening Love Eternal. Living her best life in sunny Arizona with her husband, four children, and Oink, her Alaskan Malamute. She loves writing books that are stimulating, entertaining, and leaving you wanting more. She loves wild treasures of the earth and chocolate macaroons.

Best Social Media Platforms for Authors

Best Social Media Platforms for Authors

The platforms and their best uses…

Which platforms would you use to gain the most exposure? That really comes down to you and what you’re willing to do. Let’s cover the major ones typically used by authors. However, if you have not read PART ONE of this article, please feel free to check it out too at the button below.

PART ONE

WORDPRESS:

Creating an author website is the first step. When people hear your name for the first time, they are going to do an internet search. So be searchable. Let your website be the top link when the search results populate. Think of your author site as the foundation on which you expand out into the fast web. Your site doesn’t need to razzle and dazzle people, but it does need to look smooth, be easy to navigate, and constant the following information:

  • Your author photo
  • Your author bio
  • Links/Purchase options for your book(s)
  • Newsletter sign-up
  • Contact info

Optional items on your site can be…

  • A blog
  • Upcoming events
  • Merch store

WordPress is one of the more versatile options when it comes to creating an author website, but there are others out there such Squarespace, Weebly, Godaddy, and so on.

  • Pro: Everything about you is found in one place!

  • Con: You have to manage the site and pay for all fees related to web hosting. If you opt for a free option, you will lose out on some of the professionalism typically found in the paid for service, so do so at your own discrission. Track your expenses for tax season.

  • Blogger Advice: You will be inclined to find the perfect theme which represents the essence of who you are as an author. Stop that. Pick one you like, can easily work with, and move on. There are other more important things to do than to try and figure out if Serif Old Style or Sans Serif Grotesque font represents you better.
READ GLACIAS

Fantasy Quote:

J.K. Rowling

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?”

NEWSLETTERS:

I mentioned newsletters as part of your author website, which I know some of you may have scratched your head at. The reason why I mention it is because people who sign up for your newsletter have an invested interest in you. Most folks don’t like to get junk in their mailboxes, so the fact they gave you your email is a pretty big deal. This is a direct line of communication with others, so make sure to foster it.

  • Pro: Direct access to an individual who are invested in you.

  • Con: Getting people to sign-up. You will have to provide some incentives for why folks give you their precious email address. Also, if you use a service like MailChimp or Privy, you’ll have to learn how to use it in order to get the most out of it.

  • Blogger Advice: Have newsletters come out monthly, not when you have something to sell. Let your subscribers have the inside scoop of what you are up to or the behind-the-scenes info or covering upcoming events. This is your special club, so give them a few perks no one else gets.

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PODCASTING:

I frequently say I am not a podcast person, but I have found myself listening to them when I am driving, cleaning, or doing anything that doesn’t require my full attention. You can find a podcast on just about any subject out there from grammar to new developments in genetic science.

  • Pro: If you aren’t big on writing a blog, a podcast may be more in line with your preferences since it allows you to get your message across without worrying about typos or sentence flow.

  • Con: Hosting a podcast can get hairy if you are not used to it. And then there is purchasing the equipment for it: sound dampeners, editing software, etc. Also, no one will listen to your podcast if they don’t know it is there, so you still need to get the word out via other channels.

  • Blogger Advice: If you are going to do a podcast, do it about something you are passionate about. If you are in this simply to get followers and are picking up topics others are doing, you won’t have fun. This is a time investment, so spend your time doing what you enjoy. Keep your theme consistent regardless.

TWITTER:

Twitter is a great tool when it comes to networking and having a direct line of communication. If you enjoy writing profound or witty messages in less than 280 characters, then Twitter is for you.

  • Pro: Very easy to meet other people and establish a network.

  • Con: Hashtags have to be included or others will have a hard time finding you. Also, tweets happen fast and it can be easy to miss things if you aren’t paying attention.

  • Blogger Advice: Try to avoid following people just to have them follow you back. Tweet about things you like and reach out to the community. #writingcommunity #amwriting #amediting will be your friends on Twitter. Engagement is important since you are looking to build up a community. If people notice you are in it for the numbers, they will drop you.

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FACEBOOK:

Pretty much everyone has a Facebook account these days. Regardless of what your views on Facebook are, it does have some features in it that will make it easier to work with groups, fan pages, clubs, set-up events, reminders, and network in general.

  • Pro: Being connected with your audience and friends via a network the majority uses.

  • Con: The algorithms of Facebook constantly change and sometimes it posts things in chronological order or in the order of most engagement. This can cause whatever post you create to be missed.

  • Blogger Advice: I enjoy using Facebook for clubs, the team helping spread the word of your book, and events. Since the majority of folks have this, it makes arranging those easier and I would recommend utilizing Facebook for that purpose when you can.

YOUTUBE:

Just like Facebook has a huge reach, so does YouTube. There are a ton of people who use YouTube either for tutorials, funny cat videos, news, etc. More than one author has an “Authortube” channel in which they talk about writing, the coming events, or happenings within the writing community. Plenty create vlog videos, share recordings of speaking at panels, updating their fanbase on how their current project is going, or may even talk about other books they are reading. I engage with a group of lady authors who live stream daily while they write.

  • Pro: This can be very rewarding once you are used to working with this platform. It makes easy communication and the fact you can embed the videos into pretty much anything makes it very versatile.

  • Con: There are strict guidelines being enforced which can cause your video to not be popular in search results. Just like you need equipment for podcasting, you’ll need that and more for creating YouTube videos since people will also be able to see you. You’ll have to worry about the location you film in, make sure you brushed your hair, and create a video that is visually engaging.

  • Blogger Advice: If you are a socially awkward person, you may not like sitting in front of a camera and talking to people you can’t see. But, once you get a system down, recording and editing videos is painless.

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INSTAGRAM:

If you’re the type that enjoys the idea of “a picture is worth a thousand words,” then you will likely enjoy Instagram. Of all the social media options, my favorite is Instagram because I am a visual person. There is also a feature built in where you can share your images with Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr, so you don’t have to worry about reposting. It’s been changing where people can upload videos and broadcasts. I am curious to see where this platform will go in the coming years.

  • Pro: Get to visually present content to your audience.

  • Con: Very little visibility without the use of hashtags and if you post too often, you can get whitelisted.

  • Blogger Advice: You can only post so many pictures of you sitting at your keyboard writing. There is nothing wrong with mixing up your author life with other things you enjoy such as hiking or selfies with your dogs.
Honorable Mentions…

These are honorable mentions because I haven’t seen these produce great results for authors, but they can be fun to work with.

GOODREADS:

GoodReads allows you to have the option to create an author account and claim your books. It is also a place where readers can reach out to you and ask questions allows you to do giveaways for your book. The reason I have it in honorable mentions is because the site is primarily for readers, not for authors. When you see someone posted a negative comment about your book baby, the temptation to respond to them is strong (and can damage your career).

TUMBLR:

I haven’t visited Tumblr since the TOS changed last Dec in regards to what is allowed to be on the site and what isn’t. The reporting system which labels content as “explicit” is still wonky. It is a good site if you want to have a blog without the hassle of maintaining a website. Some folks enjoy posting their free samples on there, which can work and allows others to share it.

PINTEREST:

I’ve heard of Pinterest being used by authors, but it is more in the line of being used as an aesthetic board. I created a board myself for the purpose of creating my cover since I wanted to have a collection of reference images to give to the designer. As an author, it doesn’t do a lot for me outside of that.

Best practices with Social Media…

I’ve given you a list of possible platforms to use, but you are not required to use all of them. I’d say pick two or three you feel are easy to work with and stick with those (unless your publisher tells you otherwise, then you do what they say). If you try to do all the options out there in the web, you will be spending more time working with that than actually doing what you want to do: write.

If you do decide to juggle multiple platforms at once, make sure you have a good time management system in place and an idea of what you want to post in the future. As someone who learned the hard way about what to do with social media, I promise planning out the next one to three months will do a world of good. It also doesn’t hurt to have a service like Hootsuite or Buffer to help you set up your social media ahead of time. I’ve also seen a team of people utilize Trello to organize and prepare their social media.

Engagement will be important as you progress. People are looking to talk to you, hence why it is called SOCIAL media. A good rule of thumb is to spend about twenty to thirty minutes reading what others have shared, talking to them, or leaving comments. This is another reason why I advise against juggling too many platforms since the time adds up fast. I’d avoid comments such as “Great stuff, go like and subscribe to my page, please” since that leaves the impression you don’t care about the person, just that they follow you.

A word of caution…

Impressions are important and the last thing you want to do is create a less than appealing image of yourself. Just like the job industry will look you up after submitting your resume, publishers will scout your social media to see what face you are showing the public.

There are authors who have lost out on contracts because of how they conduct themselves on the internet–antagonizing people, insulting others in the industry, or posting controversial statements. What you decide to do with your social media is up to you, but if you think that it may ruin your chances of getting published, consider not hitting that submit button.

You will be approached multiple times by various groups to help “increase your influence” and “expand your follower count.” These are individuals looking to sell you a bot service which will give the impression that there are more people following you than there are. Do not engage in this. These bots are not going to purchase your book and it looks really bad when your follower count takes a nosedive when the bot accounts are terminated. Focus on forming relations rather than building numbers.

My personal experience…

Nov 2018, Eight Little Pages Publishing offered me a writing deal. I was thrilled, excited, and giddy for days. When my contract was sent for signing, I read it over with my husband and he pointed to the part which made my stomach clench–my requirement for my online presence. There would be a website, a newsletter, and I needed to post on whichever social media I chose at least three times a week (which actually isn’t bad).

At the time, my Instagram following hadn’t even hit a hundred. I didn’t understand the importance of hashtags and the idea of doing anything with Twitter left me dizzy.

I had to do it, but I didn’t know how. So, I did what any overachieve grad student would do and research the living hell out of the topic for a week. I watched every skillshare video, read endless blogs, listened to multiple podcasts and even bothered my friend who worked in marketing. Books on the topic piled high outside beside my bed and soon became littered with my scribbled notes and highlighter. On top of that, I also studied the pattern of several successful YouTubers and influences to see how they engaged with their audience.

Since then, my connections on social media has jumped up, I’ve made multiple connections with various people around the world, and I enjoy popping onto Twitter to see what folks are doing.

My followers didn’t jump up into the tens of thousands overnight, but you shouldn’t go into social media for the numbers alone. Followers come in time so long as you are active and engage with others. One piece of advice I heard repeatedly is to focus on the connections you can make before your sale.

Final thoughts…

Social media is intimidating. Every platform has its own environment, pitfalls, and various methods to engage with others. Regardless of what you select, don’t approach it as just another part of your “job.” Looking at it as a way to connect and befriend others will giving you a lot more satisfaction than seeing it as something you have to do.

If you are someone who frequently engages in social media, what is a suggestion you can give to those looking to engage for the first time?

Interested in learning more about social media? Here is a list of six great books to start from:

Written by Carrow Brown

Carrow Brown, author of Queen of Swords and Silence, is a military vet living in sunny Arizona with husband and dogs. She devoted to writing that both entertain and invoke thoughtful questions. She is bribed by tacos and always looking for a book recommendation.

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The Importance of Social Media for Authors

The Importance of Social Media: For Authors

When does an Author start doing Social Media?

So, you got this idea for an awesome book! You’ve taken the time to outline it (or you’re gonna pants it), flesh out your characters (especially the antagonist), did your research for the various elements of your story, and definitely made sure to give your character flaws to overcome throughout the book. You’re even excited to write this epic tale and tell your friends who are equally excited! That’s awesome! Good for you!

At this point, you may think that the hardest part is overcoming the occasional writer’s block or engaging in the query trenches once your book baby is written and polished. However, those will not be your greatest adversaries in this writing journey. You’ll write your book, edit it into perfection, and set forth to publish only to realize you missed a key factor.

Social media.

“But Carrow, my book isn’t even written yet, so I don’t have to worry about social media until then.”

The average marketing expert will say that you need to set up your author platform(s) at least two to three years before your book is published. The major reason for this is because you want to build up a community of people who are as excited about your book as you are. An author can spend thousands of dollars on advertisements, but nothing sells a book faster than word of mouth.

Social media can be very intimidating for new people, which is why I wanted to share information in hopes to show how feasible it is. If you already have several accounts and find yourself struggling, you’re not alone! Many authors are introverts and frequently struggle with tackling social media. However, once you get use to it, it’s easier to navigate.

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READ LUNORA

Author Quote:

Virginia Woolf

“The real novelist, the perfectly simple human being, could go on, indefinitely imaging.”

Why an Author needs Social Media?

Bad news first: If you think your publisher is going to handle your website, marketing, and social media, you’ve made a bad assumption. More and more authors are expected (sometimes required) to manage their online presence and have a bigger hand in marketing their book to others.

In fact, my advice for many of you is to assume that even if you are going to be traditionally published, you still need to market yourself like any other entrepreneur. Let’s cover the major reasons why.

One, if you are not willing to market your book, why expect anyone else to? Treat your book the same way grandparents treat their grandkids. Talk about it and show folks you’re proud! Be excited! This is your book and you worked hard on it! Don’t let your blood, sweat, stress and tears go to waste.

Two, you can’t expect your publisher to pick up the slack for you. Kim Craft, who spoke at a panel in 2014 for self-publishing, commented that when she asked for help with various marketing strategies, her publisher came back with, “We only do that for the bestsellers.” She went on to further explain about how publishers will typically put more time and effort into the 10% of published authors who are guaranteed sales for the company and require other authors to sell their books on their own. It sounds dire, but that is how the industry works. Even if you intend to go the traditional route, I’d encourage to take the time to watch Kim’s panel as a lot of good information about the industry.

Three, some publishers will only sign you on if you have an online presence and have something bring to the table. There are a number of authors who have been published not because their work was revolutionary, but because the publisher knew their 10,122,072 YouTube followers would buy their book.

This is why social media and building up a platform are important. Authors need to network with each other and their potential readers to help build up that hype. If you seek to learn more about which platforms are best to use, and what each one can offer. Click the Part Two button.

PART TWO

Interested on books that go into the nit and grit of each social media platform? Here is a list of eight great books to start from:

Written by Carrow Brown

Carrow Brown, author of Queen of Swords and Silence, is a military vet living in sunny Arizona with husband and dogs. She devoted to writing that both entertain and invoke thoughtful questions. She is bribed by tacos and always looking for a book recommendation.


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