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Anime for Beginners: Blake’s Take on ‘Sirius the Jaeger’

Anime literally means “animation” in Japanese and the multi-faceted world that has been created over the past century is arguably the most vibrant, complex, and exciting in all of fandom.

Anime for Beginners: Here’s a ‘Heavy Metal’ Place to Start!

So with so much out there where to begin?? Luckily our very own Anime team takes us through the world of anime in mini bite-size videos to help even the newest of newbies break into this amazing art form!

Starting with BlakeKoala‘s take on Sirius the Jaeger.

This show is set in the 1930’s and is centered around vampire-hunting Jaegers. There’s also a werewolf, tons of action and so much more.

Check it out! And make sure to check out more recommendations from Blake!

Did You Know? Anime Yu Yu Hakusho almost never made it to America!

Many Anime fans in the US would be shocked to discover they almost missed out on ever getting to see Yu Yu Hakusho – especially on the back of the news that there is a live action series coming soon on Netflix!

Our very own Yaseenthatguy tells the whole story below!

@yaseenthatguy

Did you know the anime, Yu Yu Hakusho, almost didn’t come to America? Crazy when a live action is in the works #yuyuhakusho #hxh #anime #TikTokTaughtMe #TikTokPartner

♬ Storytelling – Adriel

For more Anime facts and news follow Yasin and our Anime page!

Anime Onlies – A Platform To Challenge The Anime Community’s Biggest Problem

The mock logo’s for Anime Onlies

Imagine this. You’re a TikToker making videos about various anime facts just trying to figure out how to monetize or make this your actual job.

But, in a matter of a month, a crazy business idea comes to mind, gets green-lit, and in that same month — you announce it to your audience with only an idea in mind. 

“Challenge the toxicity that exists within the community.”

That’s my story. So far, that’s the story of Anime Onlies, the newest addition to the Nerd Initiative Network

@yaseenthatguy

The Anime community will never be the same after this announcement #anime #animetiktok #animes #animefan

♬ Lo-fi hip hop – NAO-K
Founder Yasin “yaseenthatguy” Muhammad’s announcement of anime onlies

The Challenge The Anime Community Faces

It’s been a month since the announcement, and I’m still in shock over the response. Over 117,000, 27,000 likes, but most importantly, over 800 comments — all excited for this initiative.  I’m beyond humbled.

Why? Because the community has had enough. Fandom should be a place where you feel accepted and safe. A place where you should be able to be 100% yourself 100% of the time.

However, the anime community isn’t that. We face sexism, racism, and personal attacks because someone has a different opinion on an anime. That’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Imagine not watching something because the fandom is too much to handle. Imagine as a creator, not talking about a moment you truly connected with because your comments will be filled with “Mid,” “L,” or worse.

An example I’ve seen all too well — receiving a comment that you shouldn’t cosplay a character because they aren’t that race. (For example, you’re a person of color cosplaying a white character.)

Overall, we need a change. Anime Onlies will make that change.

The Solution Anine Onlies Will Provide

At the time of writing, Anime Onlies is only a month old with only a few articles posted on Nerd Initiative.

Despite that, we already know what needs to be addressed and how we proceed forward. Like Nerd Initiative, for creators, it is “Create without fear.”

For the casual viewer, it’s “Consume without hate.”

Here’s how we do that.

1. Create a Safe Place for Creators and Viewers Alike

Develop a zero-tolerance policy for toxic behavior defined as when constructive commentary veers off a discussion about a fictional topic and into a personal attack.

This also includes racist, homophobic and sexist comments just to name a few.

2. Give Creators Their Voice Back

The core idea behind Nerd Initiative is to allow creators to speak freely about the fandoms they love.

Anime Onlies will follow suit, giving creators a platform to share their work without the worries of an algorithm or toxic speech. We welcome creators of all mediums and all constructive opinions.

3. Evolve

Unfortunately, no matter what, we can’t challenge toxicity in the fandom as a whole.

We can only control what’s on our platform. However, we can continue to adapt to the community needs to make this the “SAFE PLACE.”

That said, Anime Onlies will also look to outreach to already popular spaces and events like Anime Expo to collaborate and discuss ways we can address this concern to a mass audience that con has.

More: Did You Know? Anime Expo is Bigger than EVER!

How Can You Get Involved?

It comes down to four words – Speak up and speak out.

Tell us what problems you have faced in the community. The more we know, the better equipped we are to take on the massive issue screaming in our faces.

If you’re a creator, and this sounds like a space you want to join please reach out! We would love to have you! Lastly, keep looking out for any updates about Anime Onlies. Things are building slowly but surely.

A Beginner’s Guide To Comic Books | Independents

A Guide To Help New Readers

A Beginner’s Guide To Comic Books | Batman

A Beginner’s Guide To Comic Books | Spider-Man

Are you new to the amazing world of comic books?  If so, you may be feeling a little overwhelmed looking into what to read. With so many titles and characters to choose from, I understand it can seem like a huge obstacle to enter into this wonderful hobby. This is the purpose of this weekly article series.

I want to introduce new readers of all ages and interests to this amazing community we call comic books. The community can only grow if we make the fandom accessible to new and old readers alike. So, I’ve made it my mission to expand this community with helpful tips and a little bit of positive energy sprinkled on top.

A Beginner’s Guide To Independent Comics

The superhero genre of comic books may not appeal to everyone. You may find the whole concept uninteresting altogether. But what if I told you that there is a whole other side to the comic book space? Independent creators and publishers are putting out quality artwork and stories more than ever before these days!

No matter what genre or format of media you enjoy, there is a comic book out there to go along with it. Everything from adult oriented horror and drama books, to kid friendly characters on magical adventures, there truly is something for everyone. In my character specific articles, I narrow my recommendations down to 3 options. This time, however, I wanted to give a broad variety of genres to appeal to everyone. So here are my top 5 independent comic book recommendations for first time readers!

Something Is Killing The Children

Something Is Killing The Children Issue #1
© 2005-2020 BOOM! Entertainment, Inc
  • Written By: James Tynion IV
  • Artwork By: Werther Dell’edera
  • Release Date: 2019
  • Publisher: Boom! Studios

Since its release in 2019, Something Is Killing The Children has become an instant hit among the horror community. With its mixture of supernatural horror and classic slasher movie action, this series quickly became a fan favorite.

Children have been disappearing in the small town of Archer’s Peak. The few that are found are barely recognizable. Mangled and torn apart like some wild animal had gotten ahold of them. Or was it something else? As yet another group of kids goes missing, a young woman named Erica Slaughter shows up in town, and she seems to know more than she is letting on at first.

Just a quick warning to parents, this series is NOT kid friendly.

SHORTBOXED STEALS – Something is Killing the Children 1

Paper Girls

Paper Girls: The Complete Story TP
© 2022 Image Comics, Inc.
  • Written By: Brian K. Vaughn
  • Artwork By: Cliff Chiang
  • Release Date: 2015
  • Publisher: Image Comics

Paper Girls is another series that saw wild acclaim and success upon release.  So much so that Prime Video has picked up the series for a live action adaptation coming this summer! With a total of only 30 issues, this is a great series for a weekend binge.

The morning after Halloween in 1988, 4 young girls are delivering papers along their route just like any other day. This is not an ordinary day. Unwittingly, the girls become caught in the middle of two warring factions of time travelers! Now they are on a quest through time to save the world, but along the way encounter past, present, and future versions of themselves. Now, on top of the fate of the world, they must decide to either reject the fates that have been foreseen, or embrace them.

SHORTBOXED STEALS – Paper Girls 1

Twig

Twig Issue #1
© 2022 Image Comics, Inc.
  • Written By: Skottie Young
  • Artwork By: Kyle Strahm
  • Release Date: 2022
  • Publisher: Image Comics

What can I say about Twig? It is likely to be named one of the best comic book series of 2022 in my opinion. If you remember the films Dark Crystal or Labyrinth then this series will feel familiar to you. With fantastical artwork and a style of writing that feels like a breath of fresh air in the comic book community I can not understate how much I recommend this series. And at only 3 issues in so far, it’s a perfect series for new readers to pick up as it releases!

It’s the first day of Twig’s new job as a “Placeling”, and it’s off to a rocky start. Twig is running late! His job was inherited from his father, and his father, and his father before him. The completion of this task is vital to the survival of this and all other worlds out there. This is a story about the little guy. Someone who is scared and nervous and unsure of himself, and yet he has the courage and determination to keep pushing forward.

I would recommend this title for people ages 14 and up.

Science Comics

Science Comics © 2022 Macmillan
  • Written By: Various Writers
  • Artwork By: Various Artists
  • Release Date: 2016
  • Publisher: Macmillan

Okay this next series of comics is for the kids. One thing I have heard some parents say is that they don’t want their kids reading and seeing the violence and other adult themes in comic books. If that is the situation you find yourself in then I would highly recommend Science Comics.

This series is focused on teaching kids about science in a way they don’t even realize they are learning! Each book in the series focuses on one particular topic. These cover everything from marine and plant life to dinosaurs and volcanoes and everything in between. These are amazing choices for any young reader.

Modern Fantasy

MODERN FANTASY TPB © 1986-2022 by Dark Horse Comics LLC
  • Written By: Rafer Roberts
  • Artwork By: Kristen Gudsnuk
  • Release Date: 2019
  • Publisher: Dark Horse Comics

Fantasy lore meets the modern day city living in the unique spin on the fantasy comic genre. If you love stories about wizards, knights, and elves this is right up your alley, with a twist. Workplace humor mixed with an epic adventure to save the world, what’s not to love?

A young Ranger and her Dwarf roommate have to go on an adventure to save the world, while still making it to work on time. Modern Fantasy sends our heroes on a quest full of magic and wonder….along with a mafia and a cult! Can they save the world AND pay off their student loans? You’ll have to pick up this series to find out!

The Future Of This Article Series

Next week we will be going back to the character specific article style. We have done one character from Marvel and one character from DC. So next time we will choose someone from Image Comics, the publisher that came out of nowhere in the 90s to give Marvel and DC a run for their money!

I hope everyone is enjoying reading this series of articles as much as I am writing them. If there is anything you would like me to go over please feel free to leave a comment below this article.

Maybe your request will inspire the next edition of this series!

Creator Spotlight – Yaseenthatguy on Representation, His Infectious Smile and Anime Onlies

Anime isn’t just cartoons. Like any form of media, it’s a place to be seen, heard, inspired, and more. 

Starting in 2013, my journey as a content creator has been a bumpy ride, to say the least.

I had some wins, tragic losses but more importantly, battles with anxiety and depression to the point I lost myself. So where does anime come into the picture?

@yaseenthatguy

The Anime community will never be the same after this announcement #anime #animetiktok #animes #animefan

♬ Lo-fi hip hop – NAO-K

Read: Creator Spotlight: ‘The Voice of Wisdom’ as told by Mickey (aka cellphone_wallet_keys)

Well, for me anime was my saving grace. Its various and sometimes outrageous stories allowed me to escape from my mind. Characters like Naruto inspired me to fight.

How could you not when a young boy with an actual demon inside of him reaches his dream? Anime allowed me to fall in love with content creation again leading to the life I have now.  Anime truly allowed me to find myself again.

Now, as anime has given to me, I want to give back to it and others. Both through my own content, and an initiative called Anime Onlies. You can learn more about that in the video below.

Anime for Beginners: Here’s a ‘Heavy Metal’ Place to Start!

Anime literally means “animation” in Japanese and the multi-faceted world that has been created over the past century is arguably the most vibrant, complex, and exciting in all of fandom.

So with so much out there where to begin?? Luckily our very own Anime team takes us through the world of anime in mini bite-size videos to help even the newest of newbies break into this amazing art form!

Starting with BlakeKoala‘s take on Bastard!! Heavy Metal, Dark Fantasy!!

Check it out! And make sure to check out more recommendations from Blake!

https://www.tiktok.com/@blakekoala/video/7119961045795409195?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1

MORE: So You Want to Get Into Anime: An Introductory Guide

Destination: Avengers Campus at Disneyland California Adventure

A fresh look inside one of the newest, hottest experiences at Disneyland.

Imagine a land where you can immerse yourself in the glorious world of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. A land where all ages are welcomed to bask in the ancient teachings of the Mystic Arts, join Rocket on his quest to rescue the Guardians and savor the delicious foods at Pym Test Kitchen, where the Pym Particles brings your dining experience to life, literally.

If this sounds like your destination, then I humbly welcome you to Avengers Campus.

Avengers Campus is the newest land brought to us by Imagineers at Disney’s California Adventure Park. Having just celebrated their one-year anniversary, Avengers Campus has welcomed thousands of guests from all over the Multiverse.

I’d like to consider myself a permanent resident of this enticing campus. If you’ve never been to Avengers Campus and are planning to visit, allow me to tell you a little bit about the adventures that await you. With so much to see and do, I always recommend planning your visit out in advanced. Check show times for the day and always prioritize what is important for you to do, see and eat while you are here. Now, let’s dive into it.

Read More: Fandom Merch and Collectibles

Characters

You can find a good variety of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes roaming the land and strolling up top the Avengers Headquarters. While most characters do not have a specific time they come out, it’s always best to do a lap or two around the campus as you never know who you’ll bump into.

Shows

Avengers Campus has some of the best shows in the park in my opinion. As show times do vary, as always, it’s best to check the Disney App for showtimes.

Starting off with my favorite show, Doctor Strange: Mysteries of the Mystic Arts where you can indulge in the ancient teachings of the Mystic Arts and see which superhero will appear to assist Doctor Strange. For this show I do highly recommend trying to see it at night, as the Sanctum is lit up beautifully and gives the entire show a whole vibe.

Ever dreamed of fighting alongside the Dora Milaje? If you have, be sure to catch the Warriors of Wakanda: The Disciplines of the Dora Milaje where General Okoye invites you to train amongst the best to become a warrior of Wakanda. If there is one show, I can say that Disney nailed, it’s got to be this one.

Feel like getting your grove on? Dance on over to Join Star-Lord and Gamora in the Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off! Watch Peter Quill show off his amazing moves and rock out to some Rock & Roll classics.

The Amazing Spider-Man! show is one for the books. Watch Spider-Man test out the new enhancements on his suit as he slings across the WEB Slingers building.

To catch some Avengers in action, you’ll want to make sure you check out the Avengers Assemble! Show. Currently you can catch Black Widow descend from up top the Avengers Headquarters to take on the Taskmaster. 

Dining

After the marvelous encounters you’ll have immersed yourself in, refueling your energy is something that is highly needed. Avengers Campus has very limited but great dining options.

Head on over to Pym Test Kitchen where Ant-Man and the Wasp are spearheading a group of research chefs to deliver a menu that is out of this world. Using Pym Particles to grow and shrink food items, you’ll be sure to enjoy this unique dining experience. Vegetarian options are available such as the Impossible Spoonful which is Rigatoni and Ditalini Pastas with Plant-based Meatballs, a fan favorite! When it comes to my go-to menu item, it’s got to be the Not so Little Chicken Sandwich, served with crispy potato bites. With great food comes great drinks and a great non-alcoholic option is the Proton Punch, which is a Lemonade, Berry Puree, cherry flavored-filled Boba that comes with a Grenadine-filled Pipette. Allery-friendly options are also available.

 If there’s one thing that has always been on my mind since the first Avengers movie, it’s Shawarma. Luckily you can get a taste at what Tony Stark wanted to eat during the New York battle. Head on over to the Shawarma Palacecart to try out New York’s Tastiest, which is a Chicken Shawarma wrap with Coconut Yogurt-Tahini sauce. Want to switch it up? You could also try the Impossible Victory Falafel which is a plant-based Falafel and cauliflower wrap with Coconut yogurt-tahini Sauce. Both options are, Chef’s Kiss!

We’ve all got sweet tooth and what better place to conjure up the craving than Teran Treats. Savor in the deliciousness of the Sweet Spiral Ration, a churro spiral. The Cosmic Cream Orb will truly leave you wanting more, this is a crisp cream puff filled with whipped raspberry cheesecake.

With delicious foods and treats, we must have delicious drinks. I’d imagine Thor would agree with me. Craft beers and cocktails are awaiting you at Pym Tasting Lab. My go to drink is a Honey Fusion. This savory drink features, Plymouth Gin and Elysian Space Dust IPA with lemon juice and honey syrup, capped off with a honey straw. There’s truly a drink for everyone here.

Rides

Avengers Campus features two rides and believe me when I tell you that these two rides will take you through such a thrilling experience.  Guardians of the Galaxy Mission: BREAKOUT! Will take you on an exciting mission to help Rocket rescue the Guardians.

Join Spider-Man in WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure to shoot your own webs at Spider-Bots before they take over Avengers Campus.

Shopping in Avengers Campus

If you need that Avengers Swag, you’ll want to make sure you check out these great shopping options.

WEB Suppliers is your one stop shop for everything Spider-Man! From pins to apparel and Spider Bots, you’ll be sure to find all the available Spider-Man swag here!

The Campus Supply Pod is the campus mini shop cart, filled with your essential Avengers gear like shirts, hoodies and water bottles all decked out with the Avengers “A” logo.

One of the shops not to be missed is The Collector’s Warehouse which is located at the exit of Guardians of the Galaxy Mission: BREAKOUT! Here you’ll find an array ofunique items acquired by The Collector himself such as but not limited to: Comic Books, Pins, Apparel, Action Figures, ride themed apparel and so much more!

While technically not in Avengers Campus, the one store that is truly spectacular is the Super Store featuring Avengers Campus, or as most people like me like to call it, the Marvel Superstore. This is a dream store where you can find some of the most amazing Marvel themed merch! So many action figures, apparel, Loungefly, comic books and more! This major Marvel store is located in Hollywood Land. Did I also mention that you can find a life size Iron Man suit here that is available to purchase?

If there’s one thing, I truly recommend doing is to take a 5–10-minute break out of your day, sit on the steps in front of the Sanctum, and just enjoy the sights of the Avengers Headquarters, the Quinjet and listen to the beautiful sounds of this Campus. I truly hope you found this information helpful for your visit to Avengers Campus!

‘The Black Phone’s’ Jordan Isaiah White on His Big Break, Getting Into Character and More

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a kid in a horror film?

RELATED: Creator Spotlight: ‘The Voice of Wisdom’ as told by Mickey (aka cellphone_wallet_keys)

Nerd Initiative’s own Donavan Rose sat down with Jordan Isaiah White from The Black Phone and talked about his experience on set of his first feature film.

They discuss what it took to get into character, favorite memories from set, working with Ethan Hawke and more!

Watch the full interview below!

Creator Spotlight: ‘The Voice of Wisdom’ as told by Mickey (aka cellphone_wallet_keys)

*Record Scratch* Yep, that’s me.

You’re probably wondering how in the world I got myself into this situation. Well, it’s a long story. A story full of ups and downs. A story full of superheroes and imaginary worlds!

One guided by big dreams, a wild imagination, and a drive to create. Most importantly, it’s a story of resilience and a positive attitude.

Free Advice

I’ve been pushing myself towards goals that seem unachievable my whole life. All of them seemingly impossible to achieve. Even so, I have refused to give up:

“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars”

Norman Vincent Peale

You’ve probably seen it on inspirational posters. It may seem idealistic and silly to some, but it’s true. Of course, it takes more than just shooting for your goals to achieve them.

Read all Our Creator Spotlights

This Part Is Important

First, it takes a village. No one gets there by themselves. You need people. Good people. A community of people that want to see you succeed as well. A community of people lifting each other up with positive attitudes and empathy.

Secondly, it takes willpower. On your journey you will have doubts. Thoughts such as “I’m not good enough” and “I don’t belong here” will creep into your mind. I assure you that lots of successful people felt that way at some point too.

They were probably thinking of quitting too. What they did was put their best foot forward anyway, in spite of fear and doubt.

Finally, and most importantly, it takes patience. You have to understand that it’s a marathon and not a sprint. It’s deceptive for us to see successful, talented people pop up, seemingly overnight. That fact of the matter is, we don’t always see the struggle. We don’t see the low moments.

Those times where it feels like nothing is gonna happen. When it feels like all of the hard work isn’t paying off. The truth is that any work you put in pays off, if you’re really invested. There are lessons to be learned, skills that can be sharpened, and relationships that will be made in those moments.

@thevoiceofcwk

Just my opinions here. I think everyone will enjoy the movie! #thorloveandthunder #mcu #marvelstudios #movietok #movies

♬ original sound – TheVoiceOfCWK

That’s All Folks!

I feel like I didn’t really talk about me here at all (that’s what the video above is for lol), and if I’m being honest, that’s the way I like it. It’s rare that I talk about me, it makes me uncomfortable.

I can tell you that my conversation with Michael was a different experience. I felt comfortable just chatting. It felt like talking to an old friend. It felt like the community I spoke of earlier.

The Nerd Initiative is new to me, just as it is to you. I’m still learning, still “sharpening my tools”, but I know that this is a special place to do it.

I hope that if you’ve read this far, you feel as though this could be a safe place for you too. A place to learn and explore worlds and cultures far beyond us, and hopefully find yourself in a better place for it. I’m terrible at endings and good-byes, so I’ll just sign off with my final words of wisdom. No matter what, you have to stand tall, chin up, and always move forward.

Anime Fans are Heartbroken by the Real Reason Shoji Wears a Mask

Many Anime fans have wondered what the mask represents for Shoji … Yasin from Yaseenthatguy uncovered the real reason, and it makes all of us feel for him and his struggle.

MORE FROM YASIN: Representation Matters: A Conversation about Ms. Marvel

Follow along on our Anime page, as Yasin and other creators uncover more on your favorite characters.

And watch the video below for the full, heartbreaking explanation!