I suspect part of it is that the judges aren't familiar with the song and its message. I personally am a big Nikki Sixx/Motley Crue/Sixx AM fan and am familiar with the Heroin Diaries the song was written for.
I saw it was a celebration of life and to remember , as the song says, that life is beautiful. I even made that argument when a few of the judges looked at me and were like WTF? Xstylus can back me on this one he was there.
Regarding Alchanum. Part of the reason it was allowed was that the second song was removed so it was now a singular song. I gave a tentative approval and let the judges make the final decision. Was it an error? I personally don't think so. We do the best we can with the circumstances we have. Its a good video and deserves a shot.
On that note, I am contemplating a few changes for next year. Including an "Other" category. Reducing the finalists in the other categories to 6 from 7 and adding another category. The other is where items like the so called "Short attention span theater" or "Meme" videos can be placed. Also where things like Wedding Rings (from 2006) would go.
It has been asked if FAD was really a AMV as defined by the rules...the honest answer is that its very much a gray zone. There were a few different videos that were very grey zone. Hello Fairy was one of them but it used all the same anime. There are likely to be some significant alterations/refinements for next year. And maybe I will FINALLY get that damned FAQ posted.
Lastly, regarding the controversy about Billy's videos.
I heard the same thing happened with Blue Orchid last year.
In my defense. I have never seen Zetsubo Sensei. I have seen various scenes from it here and there in videos but never the series itself. so while I looked at it and actually said it looked like opening credits to me, a few of the judges last year said they were pretty sure it wasn't so I let it through.
Regarding Duvet and My Drive Thru; I haven't seen Tora Dora. I have heard allllll about it from the raging fan boys at the office who just get squishy at the mere mention of the series, but I personally have seen very little of it. Regarding Persona 4. Haven't played ANY of the Persona games. I have zero interest in playing them. The idea of playing a video game where to summon your critter by shooting yourself in the head bothers me. This isn't to knock those that love that series. More power to you. It just not my thing.
So, the short answer is. We didn't know.
-DP












