On April 19, the Genvid forums and those of Sailor Moon Forum will merge. Combined, the new forum will have over 1,500 accounts and be nearing 200,000 posts with archives stretching back over six years.

It's kind of strange to think about; the idea of two web communities being smashed together, but I think in context of the current fandom situation it makes sense. PGSM ended five years ago. Apart from hopes on an English-language release of the Stars anime season, I'm sad to say that there's really not much going on in most of the communities out there. Of course, I wish there was a lot more happening (new series, new releases, etc.), but until that day comes, what communities are left have only shrinking pools of fans to breath with.

I use the word breath intentionally; fan communities are living entities. They exist only through the actions and contributions of the fans who make them up. Like any entity, when they are stifled, they die. Over the course of the last few years, we've seen a lot of great communities fade away, such as the Shingetsu forums and the ASMR forums.Those communities that are left have to stick together.

Usually this is hard; communities develop rivalries. I think rivalry is inherent in fandom, because once again, fandom is made of people, and people like to bicker over trifling things. I'm guilty of the same, and I've long regretted it. I'm hoping that the new community that results, bound together by a common love for the same series, will be a stronger one.

I think, then, that the time is right for a merger like this. I haven't had time to address code problems with the forums, which have been slowly dilapidating over the course of the last year. Our new partners will continue the upkeep that's necessary to ensure the community continues to be the best it can.

If you've tried to create a forums account in the last year and never got a response, I apologize. Please wait until April 19 or so, and register with the new forums. Please note that if you have an existing account, all PMs will be deleted; please save them by the closing of the forum on April 17.