Man, the last time I posted before answering the Extra Life question was the end of 2016??? That's nuts, someone remind me I gotta make more journals every so often.
Hey, everyone! As you may have heard, Fan Service's biggest announcement is that we weren't getting renewed for another season. I wanted to take this time to reflect personally on this show, talk about some of the things I loved and will miss, and think about the future ahead!
There, that's my thesis statement, strap in, folks.
To be honest, going in to Fan Service, I wouldn't have labeled myself as a ~*super*~ anime fan. All through college and a little after, I'd been watching more western cartoons. I've only really watched a new anime or two every year, though my enthusiasm for a series is enough to fill the void of other content I wasn't participating in. But in the end, that enthusiasm became my saving grace and main role in Fan Service.
We had to watch an anime every season. If we wanted to be on we had to talk specifically about an anime that we felt very strongly about. Every "what are you excited about for next season?" meant doing research about what was coming up and learning about the new trends of anime and being oddly excited about the future to come. It felt like a slow and insidious process. The first season I was just watching, what, two shows? Three? Then the next season, I had four on my queue. Then it went on in that pattern until, one day, I realized I was actively going through Crunchyroll and putting things in my queue to just try out. Now I'm watching anime YouTubers dissect serious and studios and taking into account their recommendations.
Who KNEW! ThaT! If you were involved in an anime show, you'd WATCH MORE ANIME?!?!?!? /sarcasm
(By the way, I actually a good chunk of what Cole recommends. He has good taste and can discern what show you'd like!)
If there's something I like to be, it's informed. Fan Service helped me be up to date (on my better days haha) and be more aware of what goes on in the anime community. It also meant knowing who does what and what goes on behind the scenes in our industry. I'm so happy that our anime podcast facilitated discussion and enabled us to bring new people to our glass table and call them our friends after the episode was done. Elizabeth Maxwell, Reina Sculley, Victoria Holden, Jessica Nigri, Caitlin Glass, Cliff Chapin, Monica Rial, and Sungwon Cho were all soooooo nice and great to have, and their insights into voice acting, dubbing, and the culture and community in general were so informative! I felt so happy and honored that they'd take their time out of their lives to just chill and hang with us, and I'm going to miss that so much.
Speaking of taking time out of their lives, HOLY COW there were a lot of other people who spent time with us too right inside our company! ROLL CALL! Michael Jones, Lindsay Jones, Shannon McCormick (putting you here because you're a family member at this point, Shannon, haha), Mica Burton, Elyse Willems, Blaine Gibson, Barbara Dunkelman, Tim Gettys, Nick Scarpino, James Willems, Kdin Jenzen, and Lawrence Sonntag! /anime theme song meme
These guys are HECKIN BUSY. It was so fun to just be around them and hear their own personal insights and favorites about anime, and I know we work in the same company but I already miss them :'))
This particular interaction sums up my overall feelings about having these guys on--Tim and Nick from Kinda Funny had told us they were a little intimidated about being on the show because they felt like we were experts. Consequently, I feel like they schooled us a little by mentioning an anime I never heard about before, and their passion for the shows they loved was just as justified as ours. At the end of it, we had a great time being together and talking with each other about anime, and that's all that matters.
Of course, where would we be without our own Animation guests. Stan Lewis, Kim Newman, Andrea Caprotti, Tony Salvaggio, Tanya Fetzer, Patrick Rodriguez, Dustin Matthews, and Rachel Doda, they work hard and know how to have fun. Some of the most interesting viewpoints and lessons came from these guys who I see almost every day! It's wonderful to know I inhabit a space with amazing people, all with different experiences and different viewpoints for me to learn from.
Also special paragraph for Erin Winn for being our thumbnail artist, a great friend, and being around for the final few episodes of Fan Service. I love seeing your face (smoochy face)
(I sincerely hope I didn't miss a guest let me know if I did SWEATS)
If it were anyone else in the cast, I would've been worried going into it as the only girl. It's hard being a minority HAHA. But with Cole, Kerry, Miles, Gray, and Austin backing me up, it felt seamless. I'm honored that I developed a working relationship with these guys to be included as main cast, and I've gleaned so much from every one of them. They all work hard at their jobs, and Fan Service was one of the few times I got to spend time with them outside of our work space. Adding Erin in was great too! I was finally not the only girl!!! Even though technically we were "still working", it was always the most fun two hours of my week to be with them while Broadcast works to make the magic happen.
Big ups to the Broadcast team as well! Hearing and participating in conversations on how the show should go was always a learning experience, and I always get to see firsthand the labor that goes with making a show. Broadcast is the best.
I'm at a point where I'm just screaming now because AHH!! The community! You guys are so awesome! Thank you so much for watching our dinky anime show. Your outpour of support for it after our announcement makes me smile, and I'm glad that people were watching. One of my favorite memories was how packed RTX 2017 was for our panel. It was a huuuuge room, and almost every seat was filled. Then, every time one of us came out, there was always a huge cheer before we inevitably went behind the curtain.
One of my biggest insecurities is that I'm always Too Much. I'm Too Loud, Too Emotional, Too Taxing, Too Annoying. And it's something that I don't know how to turn off, and I lie awake at night groaning about how dumb I am. But at least, I dunno, this Fan Service collective let me be that person and was completely ok with it. I guess what I'm saying is--thanks, guys, for being ok with me HAHAHAHA.
Although Fan Service is out for the count, anime isn't! I highly encourage everyone to keep an eye on Gray, Austin, Kerry, Miles, Cole, and my accounts on the RT site, Twitter, where ever, because we might end up talking about some new anime thing that is relevant to our interests. I am definitely screaming about an anime at some point or another on twitter.
When I think about Fan Service, I get sad because I wish I could have spent more time with everyone in our recordings. I know I wanted to do more, wanted to understand more, and try to be a better version of myself with every new season. But I will always feel grateful that we were able to come this far together. Thank you, everyone, for making this all possible. I'm honored to have been part of your RT life for the past two years.
Comments (27)
nicus9
3 months ago
Well fuck. I literally just restarted going through my backlog of episodes (I was going to start up episode 41 when I noticed a notification for your journal).
I hope there will be another opportunity to see you, Miles, Gray, etc. consistently again. I've always loved the group's work but actually getting to sit around and listen to you guys talk in a podcast format was great. Trying to follow a million people's twitters, instagrams, facebooks, etc. is impossible. Hope you all start something up together again soon.
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papajohn56 Dulator
3 months ago
Thank you for Fan Service and just being you. I got a chance to speak with you after the Fan Service panel at RTX this year and you were too kind, too sweet, and too excited when I mentioned that Fan Service is basically what got me started watching anime. You guys all opened a new world of storytelling to me and I will always be grateful for that. Never stop being Too Yssa.
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Addemohun
3 months ago
I’ve loved Fan Service from the very beginning. I’m not trying to start a discussion about why it ended, but the writing is always on the wall when it comes to themed RT branded broadcast shows and podcasts, for one reason or another they just do not last. The fact that it took so long for a proper seaso to get going after the pilots was another dead giveaway that it wouldn’t be here long.
I’ve always loved anime, but to be completely honest I’ve only ever watched a handful of different series. Watching Fan Service made me feel like I was more invested in and in better understanding of anime culture. I learned so much through watching your family discuss what you all seem to love wholeheartedly. Every time an anime was brought up, even if it wasn’t an anime club required watch discussion topic, I’d make a mental log that I needed to watch it or at least look at it so that I’d be up to snuff on anime knowledge.
It was Gray and Kerry going on and on about Iron Blooded Orphans that made me actually watch it, and I subsequently got into collecting and building Gunpla because of that. I owe my newest and most favorite hobby to Fan Service. I watched the first couple episodes of Cowboy Bebop on Miles’s wild recommendation.
After watching the final episode of Fan Service it hit me that I didn’t actually WATCH any anime, just Fan Service itself. The show was my tie to anime culture, and now that it was gone, I didn’t know what to do. I decided that I’d make my belated New Years resolution to watch more anime. I built out a list of over 30 titles that you all mentioned or watched throughout your run, added them to my watch list on VRV, and started on this wild and wacky journey (now that Anime Strike moved all their exclusives to Amazon Prime Video it’s made it even easier to watch all of 2017’s most acclaimed anime too, a topic I’m sure you’d have covered in your next episode if you had one).
I’m watching through Evangelion for the first time thanks to your crazy love for it (even though I did read book one of the manga in 6th grade, it’s all still new to me). I know it’s hard to come by in an official format, but bootlegs are a necessary evil sometimes. At first the English dub was cringey, but I’m halfway through the series and my god I cannot get enough of it. I don’t want it to end. For that reason I’ll probably go back and watch it subbed, after I’m finished with the dub, just to prolong its life to me. Every episode when they show the teaser for the next episode after the credits, and Misato’s voiceover tells you all about it, but then she teases in THE most Meta way possible that she’ll even give us some more Fan Service if we’re good, a part of me dies.
Knowing that the show is gone hurts, but it’s absence has inspired me to crave more anime. I know it did far more than that for you and everyone who worked on it or watched it, but to me that’s really special, and well worth all the time and energy that went into it. Thank you for sharing yourself and your opinions with us. It meant a lot to me.
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natethomas Kodi Project Manager
3 months ago
I've gotta say, your laugh was like 50% of the reason I enjoyed Fan Service. I didn't watch every episode, because I'm really not a huge anime guy, but you were always a highlight. I hope you'll be in more things as time goes on!
+1 Cool
SirFace
3 months ago
Fan Service is always super fun to watch and I loved what you contributed to it!
+1 Ditto
jkphantom
3 months ago
Awww, no more Fan Service? D:
Oh well, it's been fun. Thank you guys for all the wacky moments!
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TMeisterJ Level 5 Laser Lotus
3 months ago
I appreciate what Fan Service has done for me. Before watching you guys I was just a casual anime watcher of the mainstream stuff like Yu-Gi-Oh!, One Piece, Naruto, Bleach (mostly shonen). I learned every broadcast that there was a plethora of different anime's out there with different categories and audiences (some of which I watched based on you guys' recommendation). It was fun and entertaining to hear you and the rest of the gang at Fan Service analyze, break down, and discuss different animes and what makes them good or bad. I also picked up some anime terms and everyday tropes like best girl, soft boy, slice-of-life, tsundere, yaoi, yuri, seinen, josei, etc. to help me confidently talk about or impress other anime lovers with and you have my gratitude for that.
+1 Ditto
Kaiyeti
3 months ago
Thank you *yetihug*
+1 Ditto
Daviscd Chase
3 months ago
I write this as tears swell in my eyes that I'll miss this show being part of my Saturday mornings. As I told you and Cole at RTX 2017 y'all helped me through a hard time in my life. And I'm still proud to have the Fan Service logo tattooed on me. Y'all are truly amazing and had kept me smiling the entire ride.
So I'll end this here as it's getting hard to hold back my tears, I wish all of you much love and only the best moving forward with whatever comes next!
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Kriscerosaurus
3 months ago
Fan Service quickly became a part of my Saturday routine and was easily a weekly high point for me. Sad as I am to see it end, I'm encouraged by the knowledge that the amazing talents I saw on display week to week will still be out there putting their energy into yet more awesome stuff we could never hope to deserve. Thanks to you and everyone else who helped make Fan Service a reality.
Keep up the great work, ma'am, and we'll keep watching.
+1 Ditto
Misskrose Kaitlin
3 months ago
I'm really said to this show go, it's been a real joy to watch all of you every week. I've learn so much about anime and become more confident in myself as a nerd. I love you guys and can't thank you enough.
+2 Ditto
Spanky_Merve
3 months ago
I just wanted to say that you're the best, this show was the best, and I will miss it greatly. You and the rest of the Fan Service crew helped me get back into anime in a big way, and I thank you for that.
+3 Ditto
DuoAchievement This Fucking Weeb
3 months ago
I'm going to miss the show, but thank you so much for all the entertainment you guys brought! I have always had a soft spot for anime and watching Fan Service was a great way for me to see other people enjoying it too and their reactions. Saturday mornings are going to be weird without you guys now, but I plan on keeping up with the shows you all recommended and going forward from there.
I hope in the future we get Fan Service back or something similar, I loved everyone on this podcast and that 200% includes you Yssa

+1 Ditto
Joron093 Keeper of The Forges
3 months ago
Saturdays just won't be the same without Fan Service. Y'all had a quality show, I'm glad to have experienced it.
+2 Ditto
paulsteinway
3 months ago
You don't get off that easy. I don't know where you live, but I know where to find you. I'll be after you for recommendations, expertise, and someone to tell about an anime gem that I just found. I'll still be watching you on RWBY Rewind and thinking of you while you progress from macarons to your sister's wedding cake (good luck with that).
+1 Ditto
Swatter
3 months ago
What a ride it has been, fan service is one of my favourite shows not just from Rooster teeth but overall. I specifically became a first member for it and haven't regretted it since.
It's really sad to hear that it's coming to an end but that won't stop me rewatching it all over again. The cast, special guests and broadcast crew were amazing but Yssa you have been my favourite from the start. I wouldn't say that you are annoying, loud or dumb, you merely have some thoughts on some matters XD it gave me the confidence to have some thoughts of my own so I thank you for being someone I look up to as best girl.
I wish you all the best and hope to see your work in the future like camp camp, RWBY Rewind and many more to come.
+1 Ditto
maxdomain
3 months ago
So sad to see the show go... I was lucky enough to be one of the people at RTX and meet several of the staff there.
The show definitely reminded me of my love for anime and all things Japan. Thanks for reminding us it's ok to weeb out!
Thank you all so much for your work, and the great recommendations of anime to watch!
+1 Ditto
AeroJett Spaceman
3 months ago
Fanservice had quickly become my favorite show here because it was y'all who work in animation talking about anime. I think it'd be cool if there was a scaled back version with maybe just interviews with industry people around the world; an animation insider sort of thing. Wouldn't even have to be regular, just when the opportunity comes up. That said, I really enjoyed the show (and making the fan posters)!
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Xuelder Some Sort of Art Boi
3 months ago
I loved Fanservice, and I will always cherish those classic moments, especially y'all's Fanservice Shot of the Week reactions.
+2 Ditto
johno3998
3 months ago
It was nice to see you guys in Fan Service because a lot of you aren't on the regular podcast.
I'll be eager to see what happens in the future
+1 Ditto
ItsMeMara
3 months ago
Thank you very much for your time that you took to be a part of the podcast I really appreciate it. Because I always in the back of my head wanted to try anime but I dont have friends who are fans of anime so nobody really to talk to so watching this podcast made me feel like i had friends to talk to anime with. It was awesome to get recommendations because i had no idea even where to start but along the ride of watching you guys i think I found that slice of life and lighter things are my favorite but I'll try some others here and there from all of your recommendations!
as long as you tweet or post journals on here about anime it wont be too too sad that fan service is gone :)
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Gildarts That Guy
3 months ago
"One of my biggest insecurities is that I'm always Too Much. I'm Too Loud, Too Emotional, Too Taxing, Too Annoying. And it's something that I don't know how to turn off, and I lie awake at night groaning about how dumb I am."
I don't know if I could say the same thing working with you every single day, without a break, but at least as far as you being on camera well everything you are insecure about is my favorite thing about you. On the outside I'm a quiet person who doesn't emote much, but on the inside I have reactions like you do externally. So it is cool to see that reaction to Cole's poorly thought out yet somehow completely accurate anime explanations.
I'm going to miss FanService so much. I've been supporting it since the Animation Sponsorcast #1 and getting my terribly long list of recommendations mentioned on #2. I've gone through MyAnimeList.net to see how much anime I have watched and I'm around the 6,500 episode mark after 10 years of watching. Don't know if that is impressive or not, but I find most people I meet haven't seen the number of shows I have or can only talk about 1 show at an asinine level of detail.
Nowhere in between.
FanService was that in between for me. Having a collective to swap cool shows with while mentioning why we liked them was the best. I will continue to spam all of you with shows on Twitter. Though it wn't be the same. *cries*
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SajuukCor
3 months ago
Thank you and everyone at RT for giving us a great anime podcast for the past two years. You all had amazing chemistry with each other and I will sorely miss your antics every Saturday <3
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reddead405 that one otaku guy
3 months ago
nah, but in all seriousness i will miss this show. Fun Fact, you actually, probably, are my favorite cast member of the crew. largely due to the fact that i just hadn't seen you in anything else before hand, and your like... my spirit animal XD XD
massive totes to everyone involved in the show! most of my creative follows on twitters are actually RT members that have been on the show, worked on it, or were mentioned in it.
gonna miss this podcast... *sniffle* I said i wasn't gonna cri... look away!
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nbroderick Persona Hell
3 months ago
Thank you so much for all your hard work on fanservice! It quickly became one of my favorite shows at RT, mostly because of how much fun you guys seemed to be having. It was always fun to see you on the podcast, I always appreciated hearing your opinions. I think you added a lot with your enthusiasm and different perspective! One of my fondest memories will always be the fanservice panel at rtx 2016, the energy in the room was fantastic. Thank you again for an amazing show!
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RWBYstly
3 months ago
I'm gonna miss Fan Service sooo much! Loved seeing you amd everyone else just having a great time and geeking out about anime.
+1 Ditto
AveryGwyn Dayman
3 months ago
Thanks for a very fun show and so many recommendations. Cole explains, shower thoughts, shot of the week; there are so many things unique to this program that will stay with me forever. Y'all also had the coolest merch!
+4 Ditto