There are a couple of things that I am passionate about. Pokémon being one of them. More specifically the earlier Pokémon series, and some of the Pokémon games.
Back in the day, I used to browse Pokémon fan sites every single day. There was this website called Anipike.com which listed tons of Pokémon fan websites for me to browse! (And that’s how I discovered about so many more anime!) Browsing these websites actually helped me a LOT to learn English. I still remember one day I was reading a website and I suddenly realized: I understand everything! That was a great feeling.
I’m talking about mostly just simple websites, really. People uploaded their favorite screenshots and pictures they found, they would talk about the anime, the episodes, show off their Pokémon collections (plushies, cards, etc) and sometimes even where they lived! I thought it was so cool to see how people – mostly in America – lived. I’ve seen people’s pictures, houses, dogs, cats, even family. And even though most people still share pictures like this nowadays via social media, it somehow feels more personal when you’re browsing their very own website.
Instant Messengers
It was also fairly easy to get in contact with like-minded people. Guestbooks, e-mail, chat boxes on specific websites (eg. psypoke). AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) and ICQ allowed you to create a little profile with some details about yourself. I would search for people and message them, or I would be found by others through these instant chat programs! That’s how I met a friend in Australia (New Zealand at the time) over 20 years ago! And yes, we managed to keep in touch. We both live completely different lives and we’re always busy, but it’s awesome to keep in touch with someone for so long.
Similarly, I recently got back in touch with a friend from the United States that I chatted with on MSN when we were like 14 years old.
I also had a friend in Texas that became a pen friend even. We exchanged mail for several years and I stayed up many nights chatting with her. (Different timezones. I once stayed up ’til 6 on a school night, lol.) She was such a good artist! Unfortunately she ended our friendship one day… I was devastated. I know her first and last name, but, like myself, she doesn’t have a (public) online presence with her name. So I have no idea how she’s doing now. If she wanted to know how I’m doing, she probably doesn’t know how to find me. Hey, if your username was komikoshi on AIM, I’m probably talking about you. Not to sound like Stan, but I still have your pictures, your letters and the stuff you sent me, like the Burger King Pokéball with Gold-plated Pikachu card in it. I remember the good times. ^_^
So, How Do I Find My Fandom Community?
Anyway…
So back to finding my fandom community. How do I do this nowadays?
Yes, there’s a Reddit for every fandom and niche interest you can think of. But I don’t want to talk to strangers.
Yes, I can make a social media account and talk about my interests. But I don’t’ want to talk to the void.
Yes, there’s probably a Discord server about my interests. But I don’t know how to find it.
I wish to inspire people to get back into making websites again. I think websites a great way to learn about like-minded people! Just like back in the early age of the internet. If we take Pokémon as an example, I want to see your epic Pokémon collection. Show me your plushies. Which plushy has been with you your whole life? Do you make Pokémon fanart? I want to see it!
Remember Forums?!
Forums were very popular too! I had a lot of fun participating in forums. They were usually fairly small, so it was easier to meet new people. Forums have almost entirely died off, it seems. One big forum that is still available, is GaiaOnline. I’ve been a member since 2004, but lately I only come to bump for platinum. Most people that I talked to on GaiaOnline have left. I’ve tried to keep in touch with some, but to no avail.
I used to run my own forums as well. Perhaps if my InspireMari community grows a bit, I would make one again, for old time’s sake!
Guess I’ll Have To Do It Myself
I’m running all kinds of thoughts through my head about all of this. I want the old internet back. The current internet can stay – I like Instagram reels, don’t get me wrong – but I lost what I used to have. And I want to create a space for people who feel the same.
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