Looking Back at 2008

As I’ve mentioned in my new year post, I have a habit of taking stock during the start of the year, to review whether I’ve achieved all the goals I’ve set out for myself in the past 12 months.

Back in February 08, this site was only having 45,000 visitors. By the end of December 08, I’ve managed to increase the number of unique visitors to over 100,000. This definitely met my target of doubling the number of visitors for this site.

February also saw me blog about 2 of the top 10 posts for 2008: Nintendo DS Bento and Schoolgirl Grabs 2nd Chance to Snatch Molester. The Nintendo DS bento became the most popular post of 2008 for alafista.com and the photo featured in the schoolgirl story was also a hot favorite.

Moving onto March 08, I had reported on the awesome  Gundam Monument @ Kamiigusa Train Station, and its Forging Process. I’ve loved to visit the statue someday.

April 08 08 was a really interesting month because we got to see KFC Meido Colonel Sanders. =P The Chibi Meido Cosplayer was my favorite cosplayer of 2008.

Source: Akiba Hobby

May 08 saw the second highest number of visitors for 2008. Many were drawn to this site because of the Figure Auctioned for 15 Million USD.

However, in June 08, I had to end my life as a student and start working. I had trouble adjusting and traffic fell. It was also the month whereby the unfornate Akiba Stabbing took place. Another popular post was those really cute Totoro Cream Puffs.

One month later, I was starting to adjust to working life by July 08, one of my favorite idol Yuko Ogura also won Japan’s 1st Gravure Idol Award.

In August 08, everything got into flow. I was able to work, blog and still find time to attend Japanese classes. Nanako Matsushima also grabed top spot for Yukata Beauties in an oricon poll.

Come September 08 I did one of my first outdoor figure photoshoot with Needa Schuetlich @ Fort Canning, which was something I have been planning to do but always procrastinating about it.

October 08 was the month where I saw great inspirational folks. I saw Dave Sifry make a presentation on the The State of the Blogosphere and was finally able to meet DannyChoo in person at the DannyChoo Blogging Workshop. Another popular post in October was: Halloween Anime Pumpkins.

Of course, November 08 was the month where I celebrate my birthday. But the most awesome event was Anime Festival Asia 08, where I managed to get in with a media pass and witnesse the awesome concert by Ichiro Mizuki.

Finally to round off with December 08, it was the most awesome month in 2008 because it recorded the highest number of visitors so far – more than 108,ooo unique visitors in a month ^^

So which are the top 10 most popular posts in 2008?

1. Nintendo DS Bento
2. Totoro Cream Puffs
3. Halloween Anime Pumpkins
4. Figure Auctioned for 15 Million USD
5. Nozomi Sasaki 佐々木希
6. Momoko Tani 谷桃子
7. Free-of-Charge Disaster Relief Vending Machine
8. Rina Akiyama 秋山 莉奈
9. Mai Nadasaka 灘坂 舞
10. Schoolgirl Grabs 2nd Chance to Snatch Molester

I would also like to take the opportunity to thanks all my readers, and friends who have rendered me with support and assistance in 2008. I hope you are as enthusiastic as me moving into 2009 where I will more intersting articles on otaku and Japan with you.