The end of an era - a message from the editor-in-chief

Hi folks,

It's hard to believe that I've been writing for the UK Anime Network in some capacity for well over a decade now - a response to a request for new reviewers ended with a random volume of Burst Angel landing on my doorstep, and thus a new era of my career was born.

How things have changed since 2006. Crunchyroll's pivot from serving up fansubs to legitimately streaming anime content caught many cold, but we were there to champion it right at the very start and have watched on as anime streaming has pushed its way into the mainstream. We can now head to a local cinema and find an anime film screening every month that isn't from Studio Ghibli. If I want to read some new manga, I can just pick up my tablet and buy it with a single click. I can even buy visual novels on Steam. I sometimes suspect we're all living in a western otaku's fever dream, quite honestly.

I'm immensely proud of how UK Anime has followed that cutting edge of anime consumption over the years - we've always been there to embrace the new, yet remain unafraid to question those changes when things go awry or place unnecessary barriers in front of the consumer.

Now, it's time for the UK Anime Network to embrace change and evolve once more, as over the next few weeks I'll be stepping down from my role as editor-in-chief on the site, and transititioning my responsibilities over to other members of staff.

While it isn't the time for me to publicly reveal my next steps just yet, don't worry - I certainly won't be a stranger around anime fandom. If nothing else, you're all very welcome to follow my next big adventure from the comfort of my Twitter account.

So, with a tear pricking my eyes but a proud swelling in my chest for everything that's been achieved by the site over recent years - from important investigative journalism through to decadent blowout end-of-year discussions - this is the start of my not particularly long goodbye from the UK Anime Network.

To close then, some thank yous. Firstly, to Ross Liversidge, the site owner and publisher who took me on and let me write for the site, then basically let me do whatever the heck I wanted for ten years (even when it ended up leading to legal threats!) Secondly, to all of the other contributors to the site over the years - particularly, Kevin Leathers, my podcast co-host Elliot Page, "The Watcher" Dan Barnett and catgirl correspondant Seb Reid to name but a few.

A huge thank you also goes out to everyone who directly works within the UK anime business - the candid discussions, clarifications, help and friendliness all of you have offered over the years is a credit to the business and the passionate individuals within.

Finally though, thank you as a reader of the site - there'd be no point in the UK Anime Network's existence if you weren't here to read what we have to say, feedback your thoughts and put us right when we get things wrong. Some of my most precious and even touching memories from my time writing here are the simplest ones - people relating their tales of falling in love with a series after watching it based on our recommendations or discussion always served as a reminder of why I did this day in and day out.

So, with that said this is me signing out. Fear not, I'll still be here for a few more weeks yet delivering the news etc as usual, but I wanted to say my goodbyes properly without simply disappearing into the ether at the last minute. Again, thank you for all of your support, and I'm sure you'll join me in cheering UK Anime on to an even brighter future.

It's a terrible day for rain...

- Andy Hanley