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REVIEW: Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma GN 31 & 32

If you really sincerely cared that much about minor plot points in a long-running (and apparently quite disappointing in the end) shonen manga - this book came out months ago and you would've read it by now.

As a media analyst, this runs counter to what I'm personally interested in - discussion with people who actually watch and read things when they're released.

I don't care if I "spoil" it for you.

Zac wrote:

If you really sincerely cared that much about minor plot points in a long-running (and apparently quite disappointing in the end) shonen manga - this book came out months ago and you would've read it by now.

I mean, I feel like this whole thing is a tempest in a teapot, but to throw my 2 cents in, there are plenty of anime that I watch where I don't read the mange/LN whatever the original medium was. I feel like that's a fine and valid choice, and I find the idea that the onus is on us as readers here to be fully up-to-date on all forms of a story we care about, or it's our fault for not being a devoted enough fan, is kind of a weird bit of elitism or gate-keeping.

Zac wrote:

As a media analyst, this runs counter to what I'm personally interested in - discussion with people who actually watch and read things when they're released.

That's a completely valid personal prioritization, but I feel strongly that it can coexist with a respect for those of us who DO care about spoilers to currently running series. Say, by attempting to avoid spoilers in pictures and summaries that will appear on the main page, while being completely free to discuss said spoilers in the articles after the jump. Like almost every other media site on the internet (including, strangely, usually this one) already does.

Zac wrote:

I don't care if I "spoil" it for you.

I appreciate your honesty, though it comes across as needlessly dismissive and hostile. I was on your side before the response, but now I'm sort of unsure if you meant to be that curt or if it's one of those internet misunderstandings.

If that is how you and this site feels on the matter, then it shouldn't surprise you if more people who do care about spoilers start to avoid the site more. Which would make me sad, because I do like it here.

The more general problem with "spoiler culture" is that it in effect forbids referencing anything because someone somewhere might've not read it yet. Everybody dies in "Hamlet"? It's a spoiler. "Luke, I'm your father"? Also spoiler. Spoiling Dumbledore's fate on the release date of new Harry Potter book is bad of course, but I think the point Zac's also getting at is that people who want not to have stuff being spoiled are holding back other people who want to have comprehensive discussions, and that's where this "keep up or after some time the onus is on you to avoid getting spoiled " comes in.

a_Bear_in_Bearcave wrote:

The more general problem with "spoiler culture" is that it in effect forbids referencing anything because someone somewhere might've not read it yet. Everybody dies in "Hamlet"? It's a spoiler. "Luke, I'm your father"? Also spoiler. Spoiling Dumbledore's fate on the release date of new Harry Potter book is bad of course, but I think the point Zac's also getting at is that people who want not to have stuff being spoiled are holding back other people who want to have comprehensive discussions, and that's where this "keep up or after some time the onus is on you to avoid getting spoiled " comes in.

Exactly. Those of us working in editorial here are media analysts and it's literally the cover of the book. Internalizing spoiler culture nonsense to that extent severely limits our ability to even discuss the story, the plot, the characters, the author, the writing - it amounts to "say absolutely nothing about anything" which is totally counter to what media analysis is supposed to be about.

Again, it is literally the cover of the book and there's a spoiler warning at the top of the piece.

If I care about a show or a movie, I watch it when it comes out. If I care about a book, I read it when it comes out. The internet is constant conversation - if I cared that much about not being "spoiled" and didn't actually watch or read the thing but instead scrolled Twitter and plot points were revealed to me, that's my fault. Constantly trying to police everyone to never say anything substantial about the shows you personally might one day be interested in watching or reading is really backwards to me and totally counter to what my job is, like I said.

Zac wrote:

a_Bear_in_Bearcave wrote: The more general problem with "spoiler culture" is that it in effect forbids referencing anything because someone somewhere might've not read it yet. Everybody dies in "Hamlet"? It's a spoiler. "Luke, I'm your father"? Also spoiler. Spoiling Dumbledore's fate on the release date of new Harry Potter book is bad of course, but I think the point Zac's also getting at is that people who want not to have stuff being spoiled are holding back other people who want to have comprehensive discussions, and that's where this "keep up or after some time the onus is on you to avoid getting spoiled " comes in. Exactly. Those of us working in editorial here are media analysts and it's literally the cover of the book. Internalizing spoiler culture nonsense to that extent severely limits our ability to even discuss the story, the plot, the characters, the author, the writing - it amounts to "say absolutely nothing about anything" which is totally counter to what media analysis is supposed to be about. Again, it is literally the cover of the book and there's a spoiler warning at the top of the piece. If I care about a show or a movie, I watch it when it comes out. If I care about a book, I read it when it comes out. The internet is constant conversation - if I cared that much about not being "spoiled" and didn't actually watch or read the thing but instead scrolled Twitter and plot points were revealed to me, that's my fault. Constantly trying to police everyone to never say anything substantial about the shows you personally might one day be interested in watching or reading is really backwards to me and totally counter to what my job is, like I said.

Wow.. just.... Zac you are a terrible representative of your company. You are insensitive, uncaring, hostile, aggressive, and rude. As I said earlier I will not be resubscribing. I understand that you have millions of subscribers and my money does not matter so I know you don't care. You also have the power to delete this post and ban me if you so choose. So do what you will.

I came here to get news and opinions about the anime that I watch and some Japanese culture as well. I certainly didn't come here to be insulted by the editor of the website. There are ways to speak to people and disagree with kindness deference and respect. Unfortunately, it seems you do not understand those very important social skills. I hope your boss whoever it is sees how you spoke to me and takes you to task for it.

-PonSquared

PS: Fun things to do on your birthday...

So Zac's lesson is not to visit ANN if you're anime only for any series, fudge you!.... Wow! xD

I don't really care about the "spoiler" of the cover but the executive editor's response has left me almost speechless. It's like he was so pressured by his work and personal life that he reached the limit and exploded here. lol

Internalizing spoiler culture nonsense to that extent severely limits our ability to even discuss the story, the plot, the characters, the author, the writing - it amounts to "say absolutely nothing about anything" which is totally counter to what media analysis is supposed to be about.

If I care about a show or a movie, I watch it when it comes out. If I care about a book, I read it when it comes out.

if I cared that much about not being "spoiled" and didn't actually watch or read the thing but instead scrolled Twitter and plot points were revealed to me, that's my fault.

Ok, sounds like I rubbed some folks the wrong way. I have pretty strong opinions when it comes to spoilers and the way the internet tends to treat them - but in this case it is literally the cover of a book that came out months ago. Did y’all just not see the cover before now, and yet deeply - personally - care about upcoming Food Wars plot points you hadn’t read yet?

However - if it means that much to folks, I’ll be more sensitive to your needs rolling forward. Apologies for the offense.