That’s right, it’s not just doom and gloom going on around here all the time. Some people who contact me after visiting my site do so because they actually want to tell me how much they like what I do! And it happens a lot more often then one would think, given how much attention I give to the HATErs out there. Well today I’m going to change that. Here’s a great e-mail I got last week that I’d like to share, not just in light of the previous bit of unpleasantness I had to deal with, but also because I really appreciated it. It’s from a young lady named Jessica.

Hey man I don’t know you, but I think your awesome. You’re really funny and your artwork is really cool and unique. For all the people with bad grammer that you’ve wonderfully pointed out on your site, I hope thy’re younger then me like 5 or something. I’m 13 and I like anime, especially yours because of how awesome it is. I try to draw it and I guess i’m okay, but like you said, it won’t get better unless you try so that’s what I do. I love insult sites like yours. Hope you write more soon.
Bye.

Isn’t that nice? I thought so too.

Hit me at my contact page to let me know what you think of this place.

Sayonara.

Yeah, I’m shocked too, but it finally happened. Someone who doesn’t like me very much actually took the time and effort to attempt to spell properly while expressing their distaste for me and my work.

“Jay” paid my guestbook a little visit recently and had rather unflattering things to say about my work at Comic Book Masters, where I teach students of all ages how to draw anime. Well, Jay, I’ve got to tell you right off the bat that this was some rather personal stuff that should not have been said in the guestbook. The guest book is only for comments regarding the SykoGrafix website. It says so right there. Did you not read that? If you wanted to spout off at me like that about something else, like my teaching, then I’ve got e-mail and a message board and they both work pretty damn good. That’s some seriously bad form on your part. But since you opened up this can of worms in public, well fine then. I’ll squirm with ya.

So here’s what Jay had to say:

I have seen your work for many years and I feel like it’s an injustice the way you draw, the way you teach, and the way you react to people when they tell you they don’t like you art. You start off by saying that you dont mind other telling you what they think of your work, but you create an article ( I’m refering to your hate mail one )
where you get all defensive, and when you can’t counter a point someone makes, you act like a two year old and attack they’re spelling, which by the way is pretty sad. You want some feed back you can take to the bank, here’s some food for thought, run out and snag a copy of BRIDMAN”S COMPLETE GUIDE TO DRAWING FROM LIFE right now and learn before you teach. Anime may be a style, but the building blocks of both manga and North American comics are the same ( antomoy,perspective,etc.)You reuse the same concepts and ideas when you draw ( you do know it ok to draw something else other than transformers right, it wouldn’t kill you)and worse, you spread that way of thinking in your classes.
Yes, as you may have gussed, I to go to Comic Book Masters, and I have seen friends and loved ones go to your classes and fustrate themselves over what you taught or that all their drawings look the same. The only draw to your class is to look at some free anime on the t.v. Which leads me to my last point, what kind of irresponible teacher propously put on t.v in front of kids but tells them you can’t watch . Here’s an idea, how about you don’t turn it on in the first place! A lot of peolpe from the students to the teachers have issues with your art and the way you teach and I think it’s time you deal with them. In conclustion, I would like you to respond to this message (in a hate mail 2 or it’s own little article) to give yourself a chance to defend yourself, oh and let’s try to be grown up about it.

Well Jay, can I call you Jay-chan? Well, Jay-chan, I’m not going to bother to write a “little article” about your “little tirade” to defend myself. I’ll take care of business right here, right now. Of course, that’s pretty much the only thing I can do, since it seems that you didn’t have the guts to stand by your statements by leaving an e-mail address. Typical.

He starts off by making reference to this popular article of mine.

You start off by saying that you dont mind other telling you what they think of your work, but you create an article ( I’m refering to your hate mail one )
where you get all defensive, and when you can’t counter a point someone makes, you act like a two year old and attack they’re spelling, which by the way is pretty sad.

I don’t think it’s very sad. Actually, I think it’s pretty damn funny! And so do 99% of the other folks who read that article (which, by the way, include some industry professionals).

Come on, now Jay-chan. A two year old? I dare say that you’d be hard pressed to find a 20 year old, let alone a two year old, who can spin webs quite like I can. So let’s be realistic here.

Honestly, Jay-chan, did you actually READ that crap? I mean REALLY READ it? It’s awful! It’s downright sickening! Can’t counter a point someone makes? Counter WHAT point? The one where the dude says “this site is gay“? Or the one that goes “i dont really your art“? Good God, man! Do you have any idea what you are suggesting here? These people acted like idiots! And I made fun of them because of that fact. And, come to think about it, they did enough damage to themselves when their messages proved just how dumb they are and how invalid their points where. I hardly even needed to make fun of them at all, I just helped to push the comedy along. Some of these punks couldn’t even be bothered to spell the word “YOU“. Come on, it’s only 3 freakin’ letters! If someone can’t even take the time to string together a coherent sentence or two, let alone a word with 3 letters, then why the hell should I even remotely consider anything they have to say? So I don’t! I make fun of them instead! And people love it!

That stuff is disgusting! It’s seriously, physically revolting to think that, somewhere at some time on this planet, the fingers which were somehow able to spasm their way over a keyboard to create their horrendous text were actually attached to an actual person who shares some genetic makeup with the rest of the human race. And it’s even more disgusting to think that there’s someone else out there like you, Jay-chan, who’s actually sticking up for what these morons have to say and getting on my case for making some light of the situation and giving those troglodytes the thrashing they so rightly deserve in a comedic manner.

And it’s true. I don’t mind when others tell me what they think of the site. I encourage it, and the truth is that I get really frustrated when people don’t. But let’s be honest here, Jay-chan. There’s a HUGE difference between someone saying “I’m not a fan of your work” and someone else saying “no offesne the artwork sux“. The latter is an unconstructive piece of tripe that is of no value and, as such, is subject to my hilarious wrath. In fact, stuff like that is just so damn pathetic that it’d be a crime not to make fun of it!

But see, here’s the thing about that piece of writing, Jay-chan. Did you not pick up on the subtle irony laden within? Did you not get the true joke of the piece? Didn’t you notice that the one person who I made fun of the most was actually… myself? Geez, just look at it! People were saying that my drawings sucked, so I drew some pictures that sucked even worse! And the first one there was an unflattering caricature of me! It’s FUNNY!

You know, I like to think that I’m a pretty good guy. Slightly megalomaniacal, but a good guy nonetheless. I like kids. I like cartoons and candy. I don’t drink or do drugs or anything like that. But when someone pisses me off, and I make no bones about this, I will fight for what I believe in. To act any other way would be just plain cowardly in my book. And when I fight, I don’t give up and I don’t lose.

So, yeah, people can say whatever they want. And I can say whatever I want about whatever they say. It’s a two way street here, Jay-chan. So if those people prove themselves beyond a shadow of a doubt to be idiots, then by golly, I’m going to call them idiots! And I’ll have a hell of a good time doing it too! What would you have me do? Just ignore them and make it seem like I don’t care? Go hide in a corner and say “Oh no! Maybe my artwork does suck! Maybe my website is gay!” Screw that crap! You might as well just lay down and die if you’re not willing to stand up for yourself and fight! And my way of fighting those particular thugs was to create something funny that a lot of people have enjoyed. I think it’s safe to say that I won that fight!

Anime may be a style,

NO! NO NO NO NO NO NO NO! NO!

Anime is NOT a style! Every artist has their own style! And from the very moment I start teaching a new group of students, I hammer that point home from the very first lesson onwards. The focus of my classes are for the students to create new characters and new stories in their own style. Not drawing Dragonball Z fanart or anything like that. Honestly, you saying this proves to me that you really don’t have a firm grasp on what you’re talking about.

but the building blocks of both manga and North American comics are the same ( antomoy,perspective,etc.)

Yep, that’s a very good point, and well made. And I teach those. Next?

Look, I’m not going to lie and say that by the time someone has finished my class that they’ll be a drawing god or anything like that. It takes a lot of hard work for a long time! But I teach anime, and for me to give the students the true anime experience that they deserve, I can’t afford spend the weeks and months that it takes to teach someone how to master these building blocks. If I did, then there’d be no time left for learning anime! And how well do you think that class would be received, huh? Every artist needs to practice on their own in order to get good at it. And you know what, Jay-chan? I also tell my students all of this in the very first lesson! If they don’t do what it takes to build their basic skills after they’ve been introduced to them, then that’ll be their own damn fault! That may sound harsh, but it’s the truth and you know it.

You reuse the same concepts and ideas when you draw ( you do know it ok to draw something else other than transformers right, it wouldn’t kill you)and worse, you spread that way of thinking in your classes.

I really have no idea what you’re talking about. I reuse the same ideas and concepts? Such as…? What is this way of thinking you claim is so bad to spread to my classes? Personally, I’d have to say that my way of thinking towards drawing is pretty damn solid. You do a thumbnail, then start drawing with loose, basic shapes, and add detail on top. What’s so wrong about that? Good God, that’s like a hundred times better and easier than the way most kids draw before they’ve learned anything!

And yes, I do know that it’s ok to draw other things besides Transformers. Why do you ask? In fact, if you take a good look around, I think you’ll find a considerable amount of content besides the beloved robots in disguise. But I am a fan and an active member of the TransFan community, and I’m sure as hell not afraid to show it. Besides, everyone knows that Transformers kick ass. Everyone.

Yes, as you may have gussed, I to go to Comic Book Masters, and I have seen friends and loved ones go to your classes and fustrate themselves over what you taught or that all their drawings look the same.

Well then this begs the question: Why did your “friends and loved ones” not talk to me about it if they were so frustrated? I’m open and accessible and I always ask if anyone has any questions. I’m there to impart my knowledge, and if people can’t take advantage of the rare opportunity that they have to actually learn about anime outside of Japan from someone who generally knows what he’s talking about, then once again, that’s their fault. I can only work with what I’ve got, and if people aren’t sharing with me that they have concerns over how all their drawings look the same or what have you, then what am I supposed to do about it? I’ve never gotten that sort of feedback from a student.

The only draw to your class is to look at some free anime on the t.v. Which leads me to my last point, what kind of irresponible teacher propously put on t.v in front of kids but tells them you can’t watch .

Ha! I don’t tell them not to watch! What the hell are you talking about? I show anime on TV to my class as a learning aid, and that is because dealing with anime is dealing with a foreign culture. Some of the things that I talk about may seem strange or weird or unbelievable to the uninitiated, so the anime I play on TV is there to prove that the points I make actually work, because there it is on the screen in living colour. It’s for instructional and inspirational purposes, not for entertainment value, and I tell this to the students on the very first lesson. If I find that they are using the class TV as a source of entertainment and not doing enough drawing, then I’ll tell them to focus on their artwork. Besides that, it’s not exactly what I’d call free, since, you know, you actually have to pay to get in there. You make it sound like I’m playing anime for no reason and forbidding them to watch for my own amusement, which is so laughably incorrect that it makes me want to drink a glass of milk simply that I may squirt it out my nose for added effect.

Besides, my class is about having fun. Sure, you learn about drawing, but people sign up to have fun. There’s no marks, no grades, no pressure. And I think I’m a fun teacher. I do crazy voice and make people laugh. We’re doing anime, not serious rocket science. So to answer your question, what kind of teacher purposely puts a TV in front of kids? The best anime teacher on this side of the Pacific, baby!

A lot of peolpe from the students to the teachers have issues with your art and the way you teach and I think it’s time you deal with them.

That’s where you’re wrong, sonny boy. If students and teachers (like who?) have a problem with me or anything I do, then they should come to me and discuss them person to person. You’re getting off on telling me to deal with these issues and yet you haven’t pointed out anything specific that I don’t already have covered. If you have something to say and it has merit, then by all means let me know and I’ll consider it. But since, by the looks of your writing, you haven’t actually had me as a teacher and are basing your opinions on largely inaccurate second hand information from folks who got all huffy when they discovered that drawing can be hard, I seriously doubt that you have anything worth looking at.

At the risk of putting myself over (ha ha), however, I’d have to say that my track record speaks for itself. I’ve been involved with Comic Book Masters for almost 7 years now. I was taught by David Bluestein himself. I set up 3 rounds of anime programing, jam packed with content that you just can’t beat for the price, and they were so successful that the students demanded a 4th round. Plus I’ve developed a kick ass painting class and an entire class dedicated to drawing robots. That’s 6 classes at 8 weeks each, a very substantial investment of time for any student. And I have seen several students who have taken each and every one of those classes. That speaks volumes to me. It says that I must be doing something right, because they sure as hell wouldn’t wake up early and go through all that just to watch “free” anime on the TV there. And if you still think that’s an injustice, Jay-chan, then talk to David Bluestein yourself. I’m positive that he’ll pretty much tell you exactly what I’ve told you here.

But even with all that said, for me the most telling thing was at Anime North 2004, where throughout the course of the weekend I encountered several, not one or two, but several of my former students, many of whom had long since finished coming to Comic Book Masters and had grown up a lot since I had seen them last. They were all happy to see me and spoke very fondly of their time spent drawing with me at Comic Book Masters. That’s proof of my work if nothing else is.

In conclustion, I would like you to respond to this message (in a hate mail 2 or it’s own little article) to give yourself a chance to defend yourself, oh and let’s try to be grown up about it.

“Conclustion” is my new favorite word. That just sounds so cool! Conclustion! ConCLUSTion! Right on up there with “aniamted“

I must thank you, Jay-chan (I can call you Jay-chan, can’t I?), for actually making an effort to present your ideas in a non-moronic manner. Congratulations! I’m sure you won’t be the last, but still, this is a rare treat at this time. I’ve been operating the sykografix.com domain name since October 31st of the year 2000, and in that time I have never gotten negative feedback that didn’t look like it was written by a lobotomized spider monkey with a hangover. Not a single one. They were all full of lazy spelling mistakes and barely comprehendible half-thoughts that they were less of an insult to me and my work and more of an insult to the worldwide population of English speakers. So go ahead and pat yourself on the back for your grand accomplishment. You’ve earned it. But while you’re doing that, mull this over in your mind. After almost 4 years, you, my friend, are the only person to criticize me without looking like a complete idiot. What does that tell you?

Sayonara.

The big anime conventions in the US always yield some juicy news (as opposed to the Canadian conventions, in which the major licensors hardly have any presence at all). The most common announcements are when a popular anime series is confirmed to be headed for a North American release. Of course, when something like that happens, the groups who have been supplying fansubs need to stop distributing that show so that it’s no longer available for free over the Internet anymore.

Usually, I’m not all that excited when a show gets licensed, since most of the time I only download a few episodes just to check out a series and see if it’s appropriate to show to my anime drawing class, so I don’t really get attached to most shows. There have been a few exceptions, though. Well, I just read a very big announcement concerning a show that I’ve seen every episode of, and even though I downloaded the entire series for free awhile ago, I couldn’t be happier that it’s finally been licensed.

The show is called “Jungle wa Itsumo Hale Nochi Guu“. Quite the mouthful, I know. It translates to “The Jungle was Always Nice, then Along came Guu“, or “The Jungle is Always Sunny or Hungry“, and it’s about this strange little girl who comes move in with a mother and son who live in the jungle. But it’s really about the son, who has a hard time dealing with the fact that everyone and everything around him is so weird, and he’s the only one that realizes it. It is one of the funniest shows I’ve ever seen. If you love a good laugh, you’ve got to check this show out. And now that it’s been licensed, it’ll be much more accessible to everyone. Unfortunately, the licensor, AN Entertainment, says that it’s not coming out until 2005, so we’ve got a bit of a wait. But I’ll be buying each and every volume when it comes out!

I hope that all of you leachers out there who are downloading your anime are doing the right thing and buying the official versions of the shows you’ve been watching for free once the official DVDs come out. And this ain’t the 90’s anymore, so no more of this “They’re going to ruin it!” crap. Buy it. Support the art that you love, and make sure that the people who worked so hard on bringing it to you get paid. It’s only fair.

Sayonara.