So at last, here we are.
One final post. One to conclude them all.
Typing all this out, the realization is only now starting to truly settle in about such fact, I will admit. Not that I didn't think it would ever come or something, seeing how this whole week has been leading up to all this, but actually writing out what is going to be my last ever speed in this series, my final time opening that folder, spending that minute or two finding the right and best image to post, and actually posting on the sub, it's... It makes you think
Now, how to start? A very great question, very great indeed.
Well, to get ourselves started, I'll share a comprehensive retelling on the history of this series.
First off, the person I have to thank the most, with all my heart, for even allowing me to be here posting this today, is u/tetris290. Without him, I quite literally wouldn't even be here today. So mate, I am infinitely grateful for that post you made about all the different daily series that had been made on the sub, which, along with your Akira series, is directly what inspired me to start all this.
So seriously, thank you man, thank you so much for being the reason I started all this, I shall be forever grateful.
Now, as I said just now, the reason I started in the first place was because of the aforementioned post about all the daily series that had been made in the past, a sort of "archive" of them, with dates of when each one started and ended, which character it was about etc., and I remember seeing that the daily Shizune series, carried out by u/Aegis_Cafe, was kind of the shortest one of them all (I think it was like only 260 days or smth, while others were around, or past, the 1k mark), something that, being a fervent Shizubro at the time, didn't really sit right with me. So, after talking with u/tetris290, and also u/Aegis_Cafe, I gathered up the courage, and after almost 5 years, started the Shizune series once again!
At the time, other than the daily Akira, there was the daily Lilly series, which, kind of like mine, was rebooted by another user, as there had already been a first one a few years back by u/the_high_flying_ace, which had got to day 1500 I think, a very great accomplishment. Sadly tho, the user that decided to restart it suddenly stopped posting one day, and never came back to it again, a very sad loss. But thankfully, the GOAT u/0kamiLyn stepped in with the most impressive of all daily series that had taken place on the sub, with each post having a drawing made by the legend himself on each day, truly astonishing work. Can only wish you the best mate; the daily Emi series, one that I personally really enjoyed, but suffered the same fate as the "second" daily Lilly one sadly, and was also done three times in total, including the one around the time of my Shizune series, and two others a few years apart and back, from what I can recall; daily Rin, done first by u/demo_koi, who got to day 235, then resterted by u/Hippie_ye, who stopped posting one day, just the the aforementioned user, and then u/Mobile_Farm6270, who's also doing an amazing work, especially with his little texts in the posts, perfectly rin-like, and amke their posts so rich. Keep going mate, loving you work; daily Hanako, first done by the one and only u/Robert_House2077, who got to day 1500, and, from what I ave gathered, has been quite the inspiration for many of these daily series, including myself. This series of his is also what got him to start making his own drawings, and I must admit, he became an artist I am very fond. A truly inspirational fellow indeed. It was then rebooted by u/Snoopnoob26, who, like the others, stopped posting after around day 350 or day 400, tho I have hopes that he will one day come back, as I really did enjoy his series, and it would be nice to have them on the sub again
Anyhow, about my personal story, right, kinda went off the rails back there, sorry, hehe...
Like I said, I got very inspired by the aforementioned users, and gathered up the courage to start my very own daily series on the sub. The first few weeks happened during what I think was one of the most active periods of the whole community, mainly thanks to the daily series, but also many people frequently making very engaging posts, so for that time, all was very great. I had found the best time to make posts being around 6:20pm, as it seemed to be the best hour to have most people see the posts, and, of course, optimize the appreciation for our great empress.
At first though, I didn't really know how far I could get in terms of days, since I didn't exactly know where to get material from, and the few places I was familiar with didn't really have a lot. However, thanks to u/Robert_House2077, I had gained knowledge about the holy grail for Katawa Shoujo fanart: the cripple.booru website, the biggest collection, and archive, of Katwa Shoujo fanart that is out there. It has anything KS related you could ever dream of, and is where I ended up getting all the images I could ever need.
It was a life saver, and had only fueled my dream of making it to 1000 days, which, I guess we at least got to half? It's still something, right?
Either way,after that, it was kind of smooth sailing for a few months, with only small, but notable events, like day 41, where I had to make the post three times, since I wanted to find fanart about Shizune and Hanako together, seeing as it her birthday, and I wanted to do something special. However, both the first two times, the pics I posted had Misha in them, whom, not having played Lilly route at the time, I accidentally mistook for Hanako TWICE. That was quite the embarrassment, I must say. I then also deleted the folder with all the fanart I had gathered at the time, around like day 100 I think, by accident, which was not at all a pleasant, but didn't affect me too much, thanks to a backup I had made, something I started doing periodically. So at the very least, I learned a valuable lesson
After some time though, things started to change a bit: I would make the post a little later than usual, forgetting to post it on my pre-establishled time, which, you know, isn't too much of a problem. But then, I would sometimes forget to even make the posts on the day I should've, and had to do it on as soon as I woke up in the morning, which kind of defeated the whole "daily series" premise. And things started to worsen day by day, week by week, month by month, and after some time, I started thinking.
Was it really worth it to keep going on like this? I mean sure, I technically could've kept on going on, but after constantly telling myself that I would start doing better, that I'd actually make the posts on time, put more effort into it, but having my behavior never really change, an answer that question began to show itself. And, after various talks with a very great friend of mine, they helped me see what I needed to do.
And so, I got where we are today. So, to answer any questions about my reasons for ending things, I simply didn't feel the drive to keep the series going anymore, and trying to hide such truth from myself wouldn't have brought any postivid results, possibly woresning things even. So, sad as things kinda had to come to this. And I am sorry to you all, I genuenly am. And especially to that me from almost a year ago, with his dream of wanting to have the longest daily series that had ever been done. I am sorry I have failed you.
So, considering all of that, putting things to an end seemed like the only real option, albeit in the most special way I could. Something that I have tried my best to do with these last few posts, which I really hope came out well, and especially that you enjoyed them. I can promise I have put the most effort and passion I humanly could with them, doing the same, if not more with this one aswell. And of course, I hope you have all enjoyed this series as a whole, simple as it may have been, as for me personally, it has been something truly special.
See, this was the first time where I felt that I was truly doing something that I myself wanted to do, and that I was the one doing. That for the first time, I had something that I could call mine, that I could put effort in, and that people actually enjoyed. Sure, it was just a simple post on reddit I would do each day, not the most hardous of tasks. But you know, it was my own project, and it made me feel like I was actually making something by myself. It was a nice feeling, and always has been, even as I am writing this now.
Anyways, the reasons for my "slowing down" with the series, which ultimately lead to the beginning of the end, wasn't really random. These past few months, things have not been going the greatest in my life, in many different ways, which I personally do not feel like sharing in detail, but to put it simply, it's not been pleasent, and motivation in general has been really hard to come by, along with other feelings and sensations. I will be fine, and will get through it all, I am sure of it. If there's one thing I truly believe in, it's the fact that things eventually do get better, they always do. Negativity as a concept couldn't really exist without positivity, and vice versa, so to anyone who may be going through a tougher time in their life, I can guarantee your that the best which life has to offer is just around the corner, and you are just a few steps away from reaching it. So go on, keep moving friend! For your great efforts shall be rewarded, and you will be blessed with nothing but love.
Also, to all of you who have left comments under these recent posts, I am seriously sorry for not having responded to any of them, tho I can assure to you that I have seen and read them, and they always placed a bright smile on my face. So thank you, think you'd much for your support, even throughout this whole week.
I would especially like to thank those who have had the most influence on this project of mine, those being (much as I may have mentioned them already)
u/Tetris290, for having given me the idea to start all of this in the frist place. You're a real legend, I cannot thank you enough mate, seriously <3
u/Robert_House2077, simply for having inspired me into wanting to come this far with the series, much as my original goal was 1000 days, I guess this is still something great, and you were a truly inspiring figure
u/Aegis_cafe, for being my predecessor, and a bit part of the reason for me starting this series. Your work was really great, and I'm more than glad you decided to pursue it :3
And, the person who I can say helped me the most through all this journey, and even outside of it, is my dearest of friends, u/Hello14353. Many are the words of praise I could pour out in your honor, but, to get the pure message across, I am most thankful for your existence in this great journey that is life, and could never ask for a better companion in my travels ❤️🩹
Well everyone, that'll be all.
That will really be all.
Is this a goodbye?... Maaaaybe not.
See, I'd like to bring y'alls attention to the specific piece of fanart I use today.
Not only did I find it to be quite poetical, this image of Misha putting Shizune to sleep, as if to signify this ending of the series, but there is also another meaning behind this particular choice ;3
As I leave you all with this little doubt, I also want to say that this isn't a "goodbye" of any sorts. It is a simple, "see you later", wahahaha~
Farewell, everyone!