About Us

What’s The Anime Blog All About?

We’re the anime blog who knows that anime isn’t just about awesome action, superb storytelling, or jiggly fan service…it’s a way of life! We want you to get involved with your anime beyond watching it – we want you to live it!

Proud Member of the 9rules Network!

At The Anime Blog, you won’t just get the latest reviews and news on anime and manga – you’ll also get info on the culture that spawned the phenomena we all love. Recipes, snacks, music, fashion, cosplay, commentary, history, fan art, and more…we’ll keep you informed on the anime culture and beyond! Come see why our motto is: “We Go Beyond Anime!”

Who Contributes To The Anime Blog?

We have both regular and guest contributors. If you’re interested in being a contributor, please contact us!

Regular Contributors to The Anime Blog:

• Rachel – Owner, Writer, Editor, Administrator
• David – Marketing Communications and Design, Writer
• Mochi – News and Odds & Ends

Guest Contributors

• Curiosity – Lolita Fashion
• Codi – Ask A Lolita
• Kuro Roku- Aristocrat and Lolita Fashion

Contributor Details

Rachel Bigler
Owner, Writer, Editor, Administrator

• Birthday: September 24, 1976
• Lives In: St. Louis, MO
• Fave Anime Series: Azumanga Diaoh, Hellsing and Cowboy Bebop
• Fave Anime Movie: Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children
• Fave Non-Anime Movies: Kamikaze Girls and the Matrix Trilogy

I was exposed to anime as a child while living in Germany after watching the Japanese version of Hans Christian Anderson’s the Little Mermaid. In high school, a classmate in art brought in Akira as an example of Japanese art. I wasn’t very impressed with anime at the time, but my re-exposure to it in 2000 thanks to Escaflowne had me hooked for life.

After sorting out what I liked about anime (great stories, beautiful animation and epic battles) and disliked about anime (big boobs, angst-y 15 year-old kids, most mecha, sports stories and style-over-substance), I got into it with a vengeance.

I do love almost all aspects of Japanese culture and try to be involved with it as much as possible. I have no problem admitting that I incorporate a lot of Japanese trends and traditions into my life as I modify them and make them my own. Anime is a big part of that, along with all the sub-cultures, past and present.

David Bigler
Director of Marketing and Design

• Date of Birth: November 3, 1976
• Lives In: St. Louis, MO
• Fave Anime Series: Chrono Crusade, Ecaflowne and FLCL
• Fave Anime Movie: Metropolis
• Fave Non-Anime Movie: Edward Scissorhands

I love anime. Specifically, series involving any of the following things: weird fantasy elements, super-powers, robots, aliens, wicked humor, crazy villains, horror, ninjas and samurai. I guess that means I like a lot of anime. I am pretty particular about the quality of animation and voice acting. If the character designs and animation quality aren’t of über-quality, I quickly loose interest.

The first anime-related series I ever watched was Battle of the Planets – otherwise known as Gatachman. The first true theatrical anime feature film I saw was Akira. My first exposure to manga was later in life when I read Osamu Tezuka’s Astro Boy.

There are so many incredible elements of Japanese culture. Some of the most exciting to me are the style of design and storytelling. I’m a web designer & illustrator, and I find myself looking to Japanese design for inspiration all the time.

Anime blogging has taught me even more about Japanese culture and anime than I ever expected, and I continue to learn more every week. In fact, I’d love to travel to Japan. Rachel and I hope to visit sometime within the next few years.

Mark (Mochi)
News and Odds & Ends

• Date of Birth: October 22, 1957 (no I did not transpose the last two digits…call me an elder)
• Lives In: North Florida
• Favorite Anime Series: Pre-time skip: Kimba, The White Lion and Prince Planet — Post-time skip: Crest/Banner of the Stars and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
• Favorite Anime Movies: Tenchi Muyo in Love 2: Distant Memories & Cowboy Bebop: Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door
• Fave Non-Anime Movies: To Kill a Mockingbird, 2001: A Space Odyssey, & Tampopo

When I lived in South Florida, I remember watching Prince Planet and Speed Racer on TV. Also, the local Japan-America Society would have monthly screenings of, mostly, “dorama” from Japan with subtitles. These would be presented on 16mm film. Usually at the end of the reels would be an episode or two of Astro Boy and Kimba, the White Lion…also subbed. It was a bit challenging reading the subs on a gently undulating projection screen (due to the fans cooling the room).

By the time I started high school, my interest in anime had waned. The local TV stations were airing very little and the monthly screenings had stopped except for an occasional holiday event. I basically lost interest for the next 25 years or so.

Fast forward to the year 2000…I happen to catch Blue Submarine No. 6 on Cartoon Network and shortly afterward the Tenchi Muyo! OVA…my interest was revived.

I tend to watch anime that has more of a science and technology feel…I hesitate to call most of it Science Fiction since, because of my science background (graduated college with a degree in physics/math), I have a rather strict definition of the term Science Fiction. But I still enjoy stories which speculate with what-ifs using science and technology.

Since I am of Japanese ancestry (yonsei…actually between sansei and yonsei), I have always had an interest in the culture. Also, I was fortunate enough to marry a Japanese…though she does not share my enthusiasm for anime. She does enjoy “dorama” especially those produced by NHK.

History of The Anime Blog

Rachel: “I started TheAnimeBlog.com in October of 2005 while I was living in Carbondale, Illinois to lend a helping hand to fellow fans in need. While I started the blog to be a resource in a dinky college town, but when I moved to St. Louis, Missouri I decided to keep it up, even though I was in a decently-sized city.”

“I feel that I can search out all sorts of info for local fans who are tired of getting their Pocky and manga online. I think it’s nice to hold the crisp pages of a newly published title and it’s good to sniff the aroma of a Pocky box before you buy it. Plus, you’re supporting some local businesses (yes, I know Borders isn’t local, but Star Clipper is).”

“I’m a big fan of anime and manga, and my love and interest for the medium only gets stronger (this cheesy moment brought to you by Hallmark™). I support almost all aspects of anime culture (except non-consensual violent glompings, rabid fangirls, and otakus with little or no social skills – sorry) and want to share with St. Louis fans as many opportunities to discover and enjoy this awesome sub-culture as I have.”

“So, peruse our blog, read my reviews and rants, and if there’s something you’re curious about and want more info on, lemme know by contacting us and I’ll track it down and post it. If I can’t find what you’re looking for, I’ll find someone who does. ”

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