Real Life is working me particularly hard these days. I anticipated this, and posted one of my two-posts-a-week early, but I am left with one more to go. I am afraid this is it.

Unlike many other bloggers of the realm, I don't actually mind the endlessness of the eights that have been the theme of the past few "second season" episodes. I've mentioned before that I wouldn't mind seeing an endless stream of Slice Of Life involving cute anime girls and the sort of comedy I have become used to from the anime I watch. This is what the "Endless Eight" set of episode provide, and my belief has been borne out in practice. I was bored by Sister Princess because the comedy was lacking; I remain enamoured of Lucky Star because the elements were all there. Hidamari Sketch had all this and more, which is why it is one of my favourites.

The continuation of "Endless Eight" to a fourth episode surprised me, because I did not think that it could be done. But I did not think it could have lasted more than one episode either, so I have been just as endlessly surprised by the distinct variations on the same theme. The staff of Kyoto Animation definitely have more imagination than I do.

I have been trying to avoid the… well, not the fandom as such. I do not think these people can be called fans. Former fans, some of them, but not all. Anti-fans seems more like it: jumping into every thread about the series to lambast anyone with a positive mindset for being "sheep" and following "groupthink". This is often aimed at The Fandom, but when people who identify as being in The Fandom complain, we are told that we are over-sensitive. I have never really understood this line of reasoning: if you splatter an area with mud, bystanders may feel annoyed.

After all, I believe that I came by my opinions fairly and independently. But if they are effectively identical to that which is accused of being Groupthink, then there's no real point, is there? How far should I be Different for the sake of being Different?

It is a mystery.

Also, the reason why I'm particularly careful about how I phrase my negative comments is because one of the things I've learned, if only in theory, is that hyperbole and exaggeration seldom apply to the defamation defence of honest opinion. The law of defamation protects reputation and standing, not ego, and it is this thin line I toe.

Of course, I don't expect I'll ever get sued for defamation on my blog, but I doubt many people expected the RIAA or whatnot to sue whatever the latest music-downloader. Best to be safe, and all that.