After two issues, we've gotten a fair amount of mail. In our letter column, we'll share some of this mail with the rest of our readers. Your comments are the best indicator of our performance, so I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has written to EX thus far. I urge you to keep that e-mail coming. Rest assured that we do read all the mail that we get.


From: Mark Zampro (Mark_Zampro@On.InfoShare.ca)
Subject: New Edition of EX

Dear EX,

I really like your new design layout! It is much better than your old one. Congratulate your design engineer. I have read both issues (almost all of the second one) of your magazine, and am really fascinated by it. Your interview with Scott Frazier was very well done. Why isn't there an interview in the second issue? Oh well.
I have a bit of a problem. I just got really hooked on Anime in general in the last few weeks, but since I am up in Canada, I don't know of anywhere to buy it/rent it! Maybe you could write back with the locations of some stores in Ottawa.
Could you also send me a list of your favourite OAV's? I am new to anime, but would like to know what's what and who's who. Thanx.

Mark,

Thanks for the kind words. There was no interview in issue 2 because these things take a lot of time to prepare, and sometimes it's just not possible. Plus, we figured that the info on all of the various Guests of Honor from AnimeExpo would be enough to tide most fans over. We'll do our best to have interviews in the magazine as often as possible.
Regarding anime in Canada, I have asked Mark Johnson, one of our newly-returned Japan correspondents who happens to live in Canada, to respond to your mail. And if you want a listing of what we like and don't like, I'd suggest you stay tuned to our reviews. Listing what we like would just take too darn long! You may want to look at our personal homepages to get a better idea of what each particular staff member likes.


From: Chad M. Dyle (cmdyle@datastar.net)
Subject: Awesome!!

This magazine is the greatest! How long have you guys been around? Where do you get most of your info? Keep it up.

Chad,

We've been around for three issues now, and we're still going strong. Most of our information comes from spies, double-agents, and the Oracle at Delphi (who is really helpful). But seriously, a lot of our information comes from various companies and personal contacts. Some companies have been very supportive and have been providing us with information. But also a lot of it is just plain hard work. Saying any more would be telling...


From: David Boeren (akemi@netcom.com)
Subject: EX Issue #2

Great issue! I have one nitpick though, the CD catalog number for the RUROUNI KENSHIN CD was left out of the review. Can you send me this information, or ask Orin Starchaser to do so? I'm a big fan of the series and have been looking for this information to order the soundtrack.
Anyway, I'm glad for the track listings, I will have to add them to my RUROUNI KENSHIN WWW page that just went up. Thanks!

David,

We apologize for omitting the catalog number for the KENSHIN CD. These things happen from time to time; as soon as we find out about them we fix them as quickly as possible.


From: Chris Kohler (ckohler@evansville.net)
Subject: Your mag kicks my @ss!

I kept waiting and waiting for AMPlus to come out with a new issue.. and then all of a sudden I found EX!
You folks deserve a whopping pat on the back, but because of the limitations of the internet, all I can do is say thanks!
I am (of course) a huge fan of Anime, and your insightful insight to new releases (often before printed publications) keeps me ahead of the game. Not to forget that browsing your sight is a dream. The layout is both elegant and functional.
Please.. don't put me in a scare by discontinuing this great effort. I hearby offer my services (HTML or other) if you guys need it.

Chris,

Thanks for your support. You'd be surprised at how much those compliments motivate us to keep going.
Our current plans do not include shutting down--in fact things are planning for the next several issues is currently under way. If anything, we're looking at adding some exciting new areas to the magazine.

[As a result, Chris was recruited to do some of the HTML for this issue. Thanks Chris! -the Design Editor]


From: Kuno Tatewaki (s10chan@acs.ryerson.ca)
Subject: EX Logo

Hello:

I wanna say this is the greatest online anime magazine ever. First it was AMPlus, but since you guys changed name. Then I guess AMPlus and EX are practically the same. Keep up the good work!
I'm here to ask for permission for use of the EX logo on my link page as a link to your site.
BTW, do you guys keep the issue release consistent? I mean like every month? Is there any e-mail service to notify changes to the page?
ThanX in advance!

Kuno,

Hmm.. Somehow I doubt that's your real name. While many of us indeed worked on AMPlus, that doesn't mean that EX and AMPlus are the same. In fact, if you asked any of the people who worked on both magazines they'd tell you they were very different in some ways. A lot more has changed than just the name.
Our current schedule is a new issue every six weeks. I realize that this may seem rather odd, but keep in mind that we are doing this in our spare time and most of us have jobs and lives to attend to, as well as our anime vice. (Is there anyone out there who doesn't think that being an anime fan takes a lot of time?)
As of right now, we do not have an automatic e-mail update. If you check the "nEXt issue" page, it gives the release date for the following issue. However, since several people have asked about this, it is something we will be examining.
As Bartles and James would say, "Thank you for your support."


Letter Contest!

And to encourage you to keep that e-mail coming, EX announces it's ongoing letter contest.
Starting with Issue 4, EX will be giving away two DRAGONBALL Z trading cards a month for the "best" two letters we receive. These cards were donated by Books Nippan and are special hologram cards mounted on a cardboard backing. These cards are unavailable for purchase in the United States, so these are truly unique items.
Keep in mind that "best" is a subjective thing, and totally subject to the whims of the Editors. Flattery will not necessarily make you a winner. I can't give you specifics as to what will make you a winner, but I can share with you the sure-fire ways to get disqualified:

  • WRITE IN UPPER CASE. This will guarantee immediate rejection.
  • fail to use capital letters at the start of sentences or when using words like ranma and macross.
  • Use inane words and phrases such as 'Ranma sucks' or 'Robotech rocks'.
  • Use punctuation in an inappropriate and outlandish fashion !!!!??????
  • one-liners such as "Your mag rocks, gimme the cards!" will be disqualified immediately.
  • Profanity and personal attacks will also wind up in the trashcan.
In general, it's best that you have something to say. So let's hear from you!

Our Mail Policy:

We read all of the mail we receive. Readers who submit mail may receive personal replies via e-mail, a reply in the letter column, or in some instances, both.
All letters sent to EX (or any of its staff regarding the magazine) are eligible for inclusion in the letter column. Letters may be edited for clarity and brevity. If you don't want your e-mail address printed, please tell us. If you would prefer that your letter not be published at all, please inform us of this as well.