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Yeah i have enjoyed the anime tbh. One thing i like about it is they haven't made Luffy more "heroic" than in the manga - they did that with Goku in Dragonball (in the Anime he is trying to be a hero often and save people in the manga he just likes to fight and saving people is a nice consequence). Luffy helps people but it is because he wants to or likes them, rather than going about trying to overtly save the world (where i am in the story anyway). Am looking forward to watching live action season 2 though

As to who made these sai? I don't know. Are they the correct length for your arm? They should go just past your elbow.

Thanks, @KarateKen!! Heat stroke is nothing to take lightly. I was raised in the San Fernando Valley, so while the heat is unbearable at times in Las Vegas, my tolerance for the heat does have its limits, especially at my age. Humidity made summers in Houston ugly . Thank God for the invention of central HVC. From today to next Tuesday, Vegas temps will hover around 80-94 degrees for the highs.

Congratulations @Zaine on 20 years and member of the month.

One of the running jokes online has been "Chuck Norris passed away 15 years ago, but death was afraid to tell him."

I’ve always said this, concerning what KF means to me is this… ”KF means everything to me because it has always allowed me to escape away from the Shindokan bubble that I’ve been part of for the past 60 years.” Even today, this still bears true!! Great members abound here at KF, of which, many have become great friends.

I definitely agree with the instinct to focus on members. I think it's that, in part, it is precisely that instinct that has made this place so enduring. That said, as much as you're the admin here, you're also the first member. Let me figure out what works best and I can send you a message and we can set something up. I will definitely type up that long post and plan it for the 25th anniversary. That will give me plenty of time to sort out my thoughts and put something that doesn't ramble. I'm also happy to be involved in brainstorming some questions for members to answer so that they can share their own experiences.

KarateKen's post above was the first post in the community about the passing of Chuck Norris. With that said, to keep things simple, due to the title of the thread, I think it would be a good idea to keep posts regarding the passing of Chuck Norris to a single thread, which can be found here: https://karateforums.com/topic/52504-chuck-norris-passed-away/ Thank you for your understanding.

Thanks for giving it some thought, @Zaine and @KarateKen. No Karate tournaments just yet. John, I appreciate the kind words and the specific ideas you shared. We should definitely incorporate interviews and/or essays in some form - short or long; text, audio, or video. Even if it is just a few text prompts to encourage members to reflect or 60 second video where a member talks about what the community means to them. As you noted, there are differing levels of time commitment there, but they'd all be fun. At minimum, I'd love for you to write that longer post, and I'd be happy to sit for an interview with you via any means you'd like. It's hard to say this without sounding a bit rehearsed, but in hosting celebrations like this over the years for various milestones (which are all archived here in the KarateForums.com Announcements forum), I think it's important to place the emphasis on our members. But if you (and possibly others) would find it interesting to hear from me and have me reflect, then I'm happy to do it. So, please feel free to start to piece that together or think about it. We can also brainstorm privately, as well. I look forward to it. Thanks again, Patrick

Sorry to hear that, Ken. I think they did such a good job on the second season. I came into it with no knowledge of the manga or anime. Another family we know has been going through the anime like you, @DarthPenguin. Maybe we'll give it a look at some point.

Thanks @KarateKen! It was the hottest St. Patrick's Day ever throughout much of Southern California. DTLA hit 98 degrees, breaking the previous record of 94 in 1914. My son (also Patrick) and I got out for part of it to have some fun, but have been inside a bunch this week.

That's very touching, John. Thank you for putting that into words and for being a part of what makes this place so special. Patrick

My (13 year old) son Zach was watching the animated version and tried to get us into the live-action. I tried to watch it but just couldn't develop an appreciation for it. We unfortunately had to put the kebash on his one-piece watching because it was affecting his behaviour in ways we did not like.

Yes, but in your first message you said:

I saw that this morning. The best (short) tribute I have read so far was, "Chuck Norris decided it was time to leave. Death kindly held the door open for him." I had heard he was hospitalized yesterday, but this still came as a bit of surprise. RIP

Chuck Norris passed away at 86!! His family posted this on Instagram Friday morning, March 20, 2026… "It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday morning. While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace." While in Hawaii, Norris was hospitalized after suffering a “medical emergency “. To his family and friends, I want to express my most heartfelt condolences for his passing. RIP!!

Some sad news this morning. Chuck Norris has passed away at the age of 86. Details are not known to the public, but he was hospitalized on March 19 with a medical emergency and died later that day. The family posted a statement on Instagram March 20, noting that his death was sudden and he spent his final moments with family. Just nine days earlier he celebrated his birthday by sparring with his training partner where he posted a video saying, "I don't age, I level up," kind of a play on the old Chuck Norris jokes that have been around for decades. Perfect last words. He died in Hawaii on the island of Kauai.

watched the first season and will watch the second shortly. Have been watching the anime with my son from the start though - we are now partway through the Fishman Island arc so about episode 540 or so!

How about a huge Karate tournament where we all fight each other? All kidding aside, 25 years is a long time for a message board. This site started around the same time I took my first MA class, which was in the fall of 2000. I don't have any ideas right now, but if I think of anything I will let you know. Unless you do want a huge Karate tournament where we all fight each other!

This goes out to @Patrick who lives in Los Angeles and @sensei8 who lives in Las Vegas. Hope you are staying cool in this crazy record heat wave that is happening where you are. Same to anyone else out there who is in the southwest, including Arizona where in Phoenix it has been over 100 degrees! Triple digit temps in March is bonkers, even for Arizona. I mean, technically it is still winter. Stay safe out there!

I hope you DO get to write about KF and how it’s impacted your life; I look forward to reading it.

I have been in a reading slump for a while. Work stress + the rigmarole of every day life. However, I have begun to pick through my TBR (which is big because not reading didn't stop me from buying). I am going to start with a graphic novel This Ends Tonight. It is drawn by my favorite comic artist Jae Lee. We will see where we go from there.

25 years! In internet terms, that's basically an eternity! We truly are among the OGs of the information super highway. I would love to write a longer post about this community and the impact that it has made on my life. That said, I have an M.A. in English and Creative Writing so it might be long. I have word counts to hit . I know years ago we did a video call. I think for 25 years, it would be cool to do a series of video interviews with some of the people here. Ask them about their backgrounds and how this forum has impacted their lives. I know that is going to require no small amount of editing, but perhaps there are people here who would like to donate their time to assist. I would be happy to be the interviewer for some of the videos. If nothing else, I think an interview from you about the creation of this site and the last 25 years would be very appropriate. From iFroggy to today. Creating a forum that has thrived 25 years is no small feat. Staking an enduring place on the internet requires some amount of luck, but it is also clear the amount of hard work you put into this place. Documenting that journey sounds like an interesting use of time.

Thank you so much! To paraphrase Bilbo Baggins I was 15 when I found this website, I am now 35. I signed up on August 31st, my mother's birthday. She turned 35 that day, ironically enough. I don't quite remember what kyu rank I was, but I have been a part of this website so long that it has seen me through to my Nidan, a marriage, a child (now 12), 2 college degrees, and so much more. Martial arts is my most enduring passion. As someone with ADHD, hobbies come and go quickly. I know a very detailed amount of things about a litany of subjects simply because I heard a sound bite on a random Tuesday and dove head first into research. I heard someone with ADHD say that they have all of that information in their head and all they're waiting for is the write combination of words to activate that file. Like a trivia sleeper agent. That also seems to be the case for me . Martial arts, however, has been the consistent hobby in my life. So much so that I consider it to be more than a hobby. It's an essential part of who I am. I am not John Asbill with karate. This community, too, has been the consistent pillar in that journey as I sought advice and then, one day, found myself giving it out. I've said it before, and I will say it again. This is the best community of martial artists out there. The compassion of the people here and the desire to see others grow is so unique. I love this place. Thank you @Patrick for giving us a place to speak.

Congratulations @Zaine , well done! 20yrs is a fair innings too!