It is with the heaviest of hearts that I announce the passing of Nicholas Charles Dupree, long-time editorial contributor to ANN, This Week in Anime co-host, and the funniest man I’ve ever met. Nick died immediately on Sunday morning, September 22, on the age of 31, abandoning an enviable wealth of essential evaluations ripe with humor.
Nick began writing for ANN’s editorial division in 2017 together with his “All the pieces You Must Know Earlier than My Hero Academia Comes Again” characteristic, a number of years earlier than he took over writing the week-to-week episode evaluations. Nonetheless, it would not be till This Week in Anime launched a month later that the editorial division and ANN readers would get a front-row seat to Nick’s biting humor.
TWIA has had rotating hosts over its seven-year run, however Nicholas and Steve Jones have been mainstays since its inception.
“For seven years, Nick and I joked, commiserated, riffed, and shot the breeze about a lot shit (good and unhealthy) for This Week in Anime. I am unable to consider it went on that lengthy, and I am unable to consider it will not go on longer,” Steve shared. “He was humorous, insightful, and only a nice man to jot down with and discuss to. It was a job, sure, however his private contact all the time turned it right into a pleasure. He was TWIA’s wry and stalwart anchor, and he was a superb good friend. I miss you, Nick.”
His contributions to the essential anime house cannot be overstated, and he was, in some ways, a reviewer’s favourite reviewer. He was effortlessly hilarious when shackled to a less-than-desirable task. His EX-ARM evaluations took the sting off what was in any other case a catastrophe in media creation. In addition they have been inadvertently prophetic. Fellow ANN editorial contributor Coop Bicknell, a professed Macross fan himself, was duped by one in every of Nick’s jokes in 2021.
“I will all the time bear in mind how Nick acquired me with an EX-ARM overview. I used to be in the midst of recording a Macross podcast, and somebody despatched us an article claiming that ‘CRUNCHYROLL HAS ALL OF MACROSS,'” Bicknell wrote. “I used to be thrown off by ‘Alan Smithee’ within the pretend press launch included within the overview, however I nonetheless reached out to the ANN crew for clarification. I would been duped, however I could not assist however have a superb snicker at the entire thing. I nonetheless bear in mind Lynzee saying one thing to the impact of, ‘If we get information like this, it will not be with this GIF of Basara consuming a leaf.'”
“Lo and behold, it really occurred a couple of months later. And I assume Crunchyroll does have numerous Macross now, given the Proper Stuf buy. He was oddly prophetic, wasn’t he? Nick included somewhat casual information to the whole sequence in that EX-ARM overview, and I am heartbroken to know he will not be writing an official launch information now. Relaxation in peace, Nick. I will pour one out for you in entrance of Reina and the remainder of the Delta Flight.”
His humor was all the time accompanied by sincerity. Nick used his platform as a author on Anime Information Community and social media to share his empathy and compassion for folks from all walks of life. He commonly advocated for racial and social justice causes, together with help for the LGBTQ+ group. A current instance is his overview work on this season’s Senpai is an Otokonoko, his cautious consideration whereas discussing Sasaki and Miyano, and considering further views even for extra comedic fare like Life with an Extraordinary Man Who Reincarnated right into a Whole Fantasy Knockout. Nicholas infused his criticism with the bravery of vulnerability in a public house the place of us will not hesitate to eat you alive.
Nick’s passions evidenced a broad spectrum of pursuits. He was simply as prone to flip your ear about Love Dwell! and Macross as soccer season drama, wrestling, or indie progressive rock bands. Nick would unabashedly share his enthusiasm for Shonen Bounce manga and conventional magical lady fare, and his fluency in discussing music in technical and emotional phrases was unsurpassed on ANN’s crew. Many people found new bands in a plethora of genres based mostly solely on his seal of approval.
Nick’s presence on-line garnered him numerous followers because of his “shitposting,” one more side of his witticisms. He’s most likely finest identified for a tweet criticizing skepticism round transgender characters that took off following the Bridget information from Responsible Gear. It continues to be shared throughout social media each time one other related state of affairs crops up. He was a troublemaker in the very best sense, together with hassling me to maintain me on my toes.
Former ANN editorial author Faye Hopper shared, “Nick all the time tremendously impressed me. He was so humorous. He had a wry, artistic, plain humorousness that was half and parcel with a very lucid view of the world, of others. You noticed that in his Twitter presence, you noticed that in his articles and his criticism, you noticed that within the easy truth of his carriage and his interface with folks. I will all the time do not forget that, after I went on the Anime Feminist podcast to speak about Shonen Bounce, he was somebody I shouted out each instances I used to be as a result of he was simply that indelibly intelligent, that chopping.”
“He and I did not share the very same style, or opinions, however nobody does, and I all the time admired how a lot he repped for the issues he cherished, be it Shonen Bounce or Macross or simply the easy exigencies of his kindness and his clear-eyed, canny assessments of every part from why an anime sucked to complicated political conditions to interpersonal battle. It feels unreal, to not point out deeply unfair, that he is gone. I miss him already. I hope he is aware of how cherished he was, how treasured his presence and his ingenious artistic spark have been by all of us.”
Nicholas is survived by his mom, Sandra Dupree, and his grandfather, Charles. Nick spoke fondly of his North Carolinian upbringing to buddies and, in his evaluations, shared his experiences rising up in a Pagan family and hanging out in graveyards. His curiosity in magick (and tongue-in-cheek spell-casting threats) led to his evaluations of The Historic Magus’ Bride.
“It is simply been the 2 of us for 31 years; he was such a superb author. I simply need everybody to understand how a lot I recognize the entire sort phrases they’ve shared on-line,” Ms. Dupree stated.
As of this writing, Ms.Dupree launched a GoFundMe marketing campaign to assist alleviate the monetary burden of Nicholas’ sudden passing. The marketing campaign met its purpose inside a matter of hours and can proceed to just accept donations till September 27. His mom plans to carry an internet memorial service at a later date in order that “his buddies from around the globe can be part of.”
I wish to shut out the article by providing further phrases from Nicholas’ buddies and colleagues.
Nick was inspirational and aspirational as a author. Simply speaking with him about reveals made them extra enjoyable to observe. It was a privilege to collaborate with him. –Christopher Farris
Nicholas has been one in every of my favourite anime reviewers ever since I first got here throughout his work on ANN again in 2017, and it is exhausting to precise simply how a lot I admired numerous his work. Studying his weekly takes within the This Week in Anime column has been a weekly fixture of my life for a number of years now, and his sharp commentary on almost any given matter by no means did not make me snicker. Whether or not it was going in-depth together with his anime evaluations or joking round about his favorite manga on Twitter, he may very well be each deeply insightful and extremely hilarious. How he expressed his ardour for media by way of his humorousness appeared virtually otherworldly, and it is one thing that is all the time caught with me. His loss is immeasurable, and my coronary heart goes out to his family and friends. – Jairus Taylor
Nick had an infectious ardour that he cherished to unfold with wit and humor. Whether or not it was obscure music, ridiculous manga, or heart-wrenching anime, he might share his pursuits and soul with you and make you wish to share yours in return, and in the event you did, you discovered your self responding with the identical enthusiasm to your personal pursuits and wishes. He made folks really feel complete and welcomed by way of his work and interactions, and I deeply mourn the lack of such an excellent colleague, proficient author, and hilarious good friend. Love you, Nick. – Andy Pfeiffer
Nick had such a powerful voice. If you have been studying his work, you could possibly hear a lot of his persona in each phrase, in each web page. He was hysterical however might additionally cowl severe subjects with gravitas. His identify was one in every of my favorites to see pop up on discord or on the podcast chat, I knew he all the time had one thing hilarious or vital to say. Myself and so many others at ANN are heartbroken over his passing, RIP Nick. To be taken so quickly is devastating. I do know Zac and my brother shall be ready for you on the opposite facet, keen to speak and snicker with you about anime and video video games. You may be deeply missed. – Jacki Jing
Whereas others will little question speak about Nick’s humor and important perception, I wished to say his work behind the scenes. For the previous few seasons, Nick did the exhausting work of organizing what every of us wanted to observe every day for the Anime Preview Information—all whereas writing extra entries than some other contributor to the positioning himself. The person was a writing and organizational energy home. He shall be sorely missed. – Richard Eisenbeis
I acquired to know Nick effectively earlier than both of us began writing for ANN. It was in the best way issues occur whenever you be part of a bunch of individuals on-line: at first, one in every of a mass of names, then step by step understanding the particular person behind the moniker “LossThief.” My first distinct reminiscence of him was after I had simply watched the final episode of The Lady Known as Fujiko Mine and was gushing over it when he summed it up thusly: “The Lady Known as Fujiko Mine asks the query, ‘Why is she like this,’ and solutions it with, ‘As a result of fuck you, that is why.'” That method of placing it, chopping straight to the guts of the matter in probably the most hilarious method potential, knocked me off my toes and caught with me. Over time, I would be taught that was Nick in a nutshell.
I feel it is regular for writers who work collectively to really feel a way of pleasant skilled rivalry, although perhaps that is my competitiveness popping out. Nick and I labored collectively on the preview information crew for some years, and he was the one author I by no means felt like I might contact. It infuriated me how he might spit out a overview lower than an hour after every episode got here out, and it will not solely be insightful but in addition one of many funniest issues I’ve ever learn. Nonetheless, as pissed off as I might get, I used to be all the time glad he was there. Engaged on the preview information is a stress cooker of an task, and the camaraderie throughout the crew is plain. Nick’s irreverent humorousness made the horrible reveals survivable, and his real pleasure for the good things made me stay up for all of them the extra.
I really feel extremely lucky to have been each buddies and colleagues with Nick. He was humorous, clever, and passionate. He cherished his household and was fiercely loyal to his buddies. The anime critic group will not be the identical with out him.- Caitlin Moore
I want I had identified Nick higher, however because of him, I had among the most enjoyable I’ve ever had as a author. I used to be fortunate sufficient to pen a number of This Week In Anime columns with him, with our Subs vs Dubs chat, Spring Isekai campaign, and Summer time Rom-Com round-up being a few of my favorites. I haven’t got many individuals in my day-to-day life that I can discuss to about anime, and with the ability to indulge with Nick in our shared ardour was all the time a deal with. His work impressed me to enhance my very own craft, and I can solely hope that he knew how a lot he affected me and so many different folks within the anime group. – Lucas DeRuyter
All I can suppose to say is that the world is a colder place with out his humor in it. He could not have been right here after I began at ANN, however I am unable to think about it with out him. – Rebecca Silverman
Nick was whip-smart, all the time had insightful observations, and was such a pleasure to speak to. I second that he was each extremely humorous and sort and had an actual knack for defusing tense conditions. He was all the time a supply of calm and wit. This group will not be the identical with out him, nor will ANN or the net anime group at giant. I’ll dearly miss him. I hope his mother is aware of simply how cherished he was by us and the way impactful he was together with his time on Earth, together with his friendship, his humor, and his writing expertise. –Rose Bridges
I had the privilege of working with Nick for 2 years throughout the identical column. Nick’s perception was considerable; his humorousness was super. I am gutted by his loss. – Jean-Karlo Lemus
Nick was one of the vital fiercely real and assured writers I’ve ever met. Whether or not he was making you snicker with one in every of his sensible off-the-cuff jokes or utilizing his writing to talk out towards injustice and provides consideration to the customarily silenced voices in our group, Nick knew what he wished to say and wielded these phrases with out an oz. of worry or self-doubt. His expertise and work ethic pushed me to turn into a greater author day by day, and he’ll proceed to encourage laughter and tears for thus many individuals, myself included, for years to return. We miss you, man. I hope you possibly can see how a lot you have modified our lives for the higher. – James Beckett
