Anime Insider Ceases Publication

After eight years of publication, Anime Insider magazine will be ending its publication.

According to Anime News Network, the close of the magazine was prompted by the parent company, Wizard Universe, which is more or less a media sales powehouse of comcs, conventions, card games, and, of course, magazines.

Anime Insider began as Anime Invasion in 2001, and went through many changes in its lifetime, including new publication schedules (from once a quarter to a monthly magazine), a fluxuating cover price until it reached the reasonable USD$4.99, and even some content change to better suit its readers.

Many AI alum have gone on to do other projects. Former Senior Editor, Rob Bricken, is among them. He just launched the safe for work, geek news website, Topless Robot. You can hear his take on the magazine closing here, and how much it impacted the lauch of his new site (fair warning, he does use one particular expletive once to accurately convey his feelings).

The 67th issue of the magazine just shipped earlier this month, it is believed a 68th issue will conclude the magazine's run.

You can read my thoughts on Anime Insider as a leader of anime news in an earlier post about the closing of NEWTYPE USA magazine.
I believed this was one of the anime news media's strongest institutions. I am more than surprised, and in a bit of denial that this magazine will actually go away!

Thanks AI, for eight great years, as Kip's number one news source (after Ani-Pock of course ;D ).