TF2Chan

TF2chan (tf2chan.net) is a long-running anonymous imageboard and community hub specifically dedicated to the Team Fortress 2 (TF2) fandom, with a primary historical focus on "slash" (male/male shipping) fanworks. 1. Key Dates and Registration Domain Registration: The domain tf2chan.net was first registered on January 23, 2008. Official Launch: The site officially launched and celebrates its "birthday" on January 25, 2008. First Wayback Machine Capture: The Internet Archive first captured a snapshot of the site on January 26, 2008, just one day after its public launch. 2. What is the site? TF2chan was created as a "safe haven" for Team Fortress 2 fans, specifically those creating adult-oriented or "slash" fanart and fanfiction. The Problem it Solved: Before 2008, TF2 shipping content (like "Sniper/Spy" or "Heavy/Medic") was frequently flamed, mocked, or deleted on mainstream platforms like 4chan's /v/ (Video Games) or Valve’s own Steam forums. TF2chan provided a dedicated space where these creators could post without harassment. Community Culture: The site is famous for its "tough love" attitude and historically strict "no anime and no furries" policy. It developed its own unique subculture and memes, most notably "DICKS EVERYWHERE," a phrase and visual "raining dick" gif overlay that was added to the site in 2013 as a humorous response to "normies" complaining about the abundance of adult art on the board. Historical Impact: Many influential artists and writers in the early TF2 fandom (often called "Big Name Fans" or BNFs) got their start on TF2chan. It was the primary driver of TF2 fan culture for many years before the community partially migrated to Tumblr, Twitter, and Discord. 3. What does the name mean? TF2: Stands for Team Fortress 2, the 2007 team-based shooter by Valve that the site is centered around. Chan: Short for "Channel," the standard suffix for imageboards and anonymous forums (derived from 2channel and 4chan). TF2chan: Effectively translates to "The Team Fortress 2 Imageboard." 4. History and Context The site has survived several "eras" and major events, such as the "Crocosnipalypse" in 2010 (a massive moderator drama and community exodus) and several server migrations. While it is less active today than during its peak in the early 2010s, it remains online as a legacy archive and a small, dedicated community space. image 1-2026

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The Chaddy

Gigacha.de is a small-web imageboard that positions itself as a "comfy" and self-improvement-focused alternative to the larger, more chaotic imageboards like 4chan. It is part of the modern "Boutique Chan" movement. 1. Key Dates and Registration Domain Registration: The domain gigacha.de was registered on June 22, 2021. First Wayback Machine Capture: The first snapshot was recorded on July 20, 2021. Launch: The site launched in late June 2021. It was created during a surge in the "Small Web" movement where users were looking for specialized, smaller communities that utilized modern imageboard software (like LynxChan) rather than the aging infrastructure of older sites. 2. What is the site? Gigacha.de is an anonymous imageboard that emphasizes a "higher quality" of discussion and a cleaner aesthetic. The "Comfy" Philosophy: Unlike many boards that thrive on irony or aggression, Gigacha.de leans into the "comfy" (comfortable) subculture. It encourages hobbies, self-improvement, and aesthetic appreciation. Technical Build: It is built using LynxChan, a modern imageboard engine that allows for a more responsive user interface and better mobile compatibility than traditional boards. German Hosting: The .de TLD indicates it is hosted in or registered through Germany, though the primary language of the board is English, serving an international audience. 3. What does the name mean? The name is a portmanteau of a popular internet meme and the standard imageboard suffix: Giga-Cha: Short for GigaChad, the viral meme representing an ultra-masculine, idealized version of a man. In the context of the site, it refers to the "Chad" ethos of self-improvement, fitness, and mental well-being. De: The country code top-level domain for Germany (Deutschland). Gigacha: Effectively translates to "The Giga-Channel" or "The Chad-Channel." It signals that the board is intended for "Chads"—or those striving to be—who want a more refined space to post. 4. History and Community Context Gigacha.de gained popularity within the "fit-lit" (fitness and literature) and "slow web" communities. It serves as a hub for people who enjoy the anonymous format but want to avoid the "slop" (low-quality content) associated with larger boards. It is often grouped with sites like Shemmy.lol and Yakui.moe as part of a network of "aesthetic" imageboards that prioritize site design and specific subcultural vibes. Images from 1-2026

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Chud

Chud.win, commonly referred to as the Chinny, is an anonymous English-speaking imageboard website centered around international politics. It was launched on September 5th, 2024, and amassed over 120,000 posts in it's short 2 month run. It was closed in November, but returned, and the current website you are on, is the second, and everlasting era of chud.win.

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The Shemmy

Shemmy.lol is a modern, niche imageboard that belongs to the "Small Web" and "Webcore" movement. It is part of a cluster of interconnected personal sites and community boards that prioritize a retro, artistic, and often "glitchy" aesthetic. 1. Key Dates and Registration Domain Registration: The domain shemmy.lol was registered on July 10, 2023. First Wayback Machine Capture: The Internet Archive first captured a snapshot of the site on July 20, 2023. Launch: The site officially launched in July 2023. It was created as a dedicated space for the "Shemmy" community, which had previously existed across other small imageboards and Discord servers. 2. What is the site? Shemmy.lol is an anonymous imageboard (utilizing LynxChan software) that serves as a hub for artists, "webcore" enthusiasts, and fans of the "Shemmy" character. The Mascot: The site is centered around "Shemmy," a stylized, white, cat-like creature mascot. This character is a staple of a specific corner of the internet that blends 1990s digital nostalgia with modern surrealist art. Culture: The site is known for being a "comfy" and creative space. While it follows the anonymous format of traditional imageboards, it is significantly smaller and more focused on sharing original art, CSS customizations, and niche music (like breakcore or vaporwave). The "Small Web" Connection: It is frequently linked to other sites like yakui.moe and soyjak.party (though with a very different aesthetic), forming part of a network of users who prefer independent, community-run platforms over mainstream social media. 3. What does the name mean? Shemmy: This is the name of the creator’s persona and the site's mascot. The name itself is a whimsical, made-up moniker typical of the "weirdcore" or "cute-core" internet subcultures. lol: The .lol top-level domain is a popular choice for personal or community-driven projects that don't take themselves too seriously and want to signal a sense of humor or playfulness. Shemmy.lol: Effectively translates to "The Shemmy Community Site." 4. History and Context While the site itself is relatively young (launching in 2023), the "Shemmy" subculture has been active for several years prior on platforms like Neocities and various "Boutique Chans." The site represents the "professionalization" of this small subculture—moving from a single page on a hosting service to a fully-featured, independent imageboard. It is often cited as one of the most visually interesting modern imageboards due to its custom CSS and focus on user-generated art. images from 1-2026

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Tohno-chan

Tohno-chan (tohno-chan.org) is a long-standing niche imageboard dedicated to the works of Type-Moon, specifically the visual novel Tsukihime and its fighting game spin-off Melty Blood. It is one of the older surviving "specialty" boards in the Western anime fandom. 1. Key Dates and Registration Domain Registration: The current domain tohno-chan.org was registered on August 25, 2011. First Wayback Machine Capture: The Internet Archive first crawled the .org domain on August 29, 2011. Earlier History: The site actually predates its current domain. It originally existed as tohno-chan.com, which was active as far back as 2007. The community migrated to the .org domain in 2011 due to administrative changes and domain ownership shifts common in early imageboard history. Launch: The community solidified around 2007–2008, during the peak era of early Type-Moon fan translations. 2. What is the site? Tohno-chan is an anonymous imageboard that serves as a dedicated hub for fans of the Nasuverse (the shared universe created by Kinoko Nasu). Core Subject Matter: While it has boards for general anime and games, its heart is /tm/ (Type-Moon), where users discuss Tsukihime, Fate/stay night, Kara no Kyoukai, and Mahoutsukai no Yoru. Community Vibe: It is often described as a "comfy" alternative to 4chan’s /a/ (Anime & Manga) or /v/ (Video Games) boards. Because it is smaller, the discussions tend to be more focused on lore, technical visual novel troubleshooting, and niche fan art. The "Old Web" Feel: The site uses a very traditional Futaba-style interface (specifically the Kusaba or Tinyboard variants) and has intentionally avoided modernizing its layout to preserve its late-2000s aesthetic. 3. What does the name mean? The name is derived from the central characters of the visual novel Tsukihime: Tohno: This is the surname of the protagonist (Shiki Tohno) and his sister (Akiha Tohno). The Tohno family and their mansion are the primary setting for the original Tsukihime story. Chan: The standard suffix for "channel" or "imageboard." Tohno-chan: Effectively translates to "The Tohno Family Imageboard." Using the protagonist's name was a common way for early "shrine" or niche boards to signal exactly which fandom they belonged to. 4. History and Community Context Tohno-chan is historically significant because it was the primary English-speaking hub for Melty Blood (a fighting game) for many years before specialized fighting game discord servers became the norm. It acted as a bridge for Western fans to access Japanese patches, fan-translations, and competitive "tech" for Type-Moon games during an era when these titles had no official Western releases. Images from 1-2026

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Tranchan

Tranchan (tranchan.net) is a niche anonymous imageboard specifically dedicated to the transgender community. It serves as a community-focused alternative to the "trans" subcultures. 1. Key Dates and Registration Domain Registration: The domain tranchan.net was first registered on July 6, 2021. First Wayback Machine Capture: The Internet Archive first captured the site on July 28, 2021. Launch: The site officially went live in July 2021. It was established during a period when many transgender users on 4chan (specifically those on the /lgbt/ board, often referred to as "tttt") were seeking a dedicated space away from the broader site's toxicity and "raiding" culture. 2. What is the site? Tranchan is an anonymous imageboard designed for transgender, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming individuals. The Content: The site is divided into several boards, including general discussion (/gen/), transition advice (/hrt/), fashion (/fa/), and art. It functions as a support network and a social hub where users can discuss the technical, medical, and social aspects of transitioning. The Culture: While it shares the "chan" vernacular (using terms like "anon," "newfag," and various slang specific to the 4chan /lgbt/ diaspora), it generally aims to be more community-oriented. It provides a space for "doomer" venting, "hoping" (positive posting), and sharing progress photos in a semi-protected anonymous environment. Technical Build: The site uses modern imageboard software (similar to Vichan or LynxChan) that allows for features like thread watching and various "themes" (CSS) to change the site’s appearance. 3. History and Context Tranchan is part of a broader movement of "identity-specific" boards that emerged in the early 2020s. For years, the transgender community on the "big chans" (like 4chan and 8kun) existed in a state of constant friction with the sites' general user bases. Tranchan was created to preserve the unique, fast-paced, and anonymous "chan-style" of communication while ensuring the community had a platform they could control and moderate themselves. It is often linked to the "4tran" or "tttt" subculture, but it acts as an independent lifeboat for those who want the culture without the exposure to the rest of 4chan's ecosystem.

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Trashchan

Trashchan (trashchan.xyz) is an independent, anonymous imageboard that leans heavily into the "underground" or "trash" aesthetic of early internet subcultures. It is part of the "Small Web" or "Indie Web" revival, positioning itself as a less restricted alternative to larger, more moderated boards. 1. Key Dates and Registration Domain Registration: The domain trashchan.xyz was registered on February 17, 2021. First Wayback Machine Capture: The Internet Archive first successfully crawled the site on March 11, 2021. Launch: The site likely went live in late February or early March 2021, appearing as a small community for "refugees" from other boards that had either shut down or increased their moderation. 2. What is the site? Trashchan is an anonymous BBS (Bulletin Board System) that utilizes the classic imageboard format (similar to Vichan or Tinyboard software). The "Trash" Aesthetic: The site intentionally embraces a "low-effort" or "grungy" visual style. It often features dark themes, retro graphics, and a self-deprecating tone. Content: It is known for having a very loose moderation policy, focusing on "free speech" and "shitposting." It hosts boards for general discussion, technology, anime, and various fringe internet subcultures. Community Culture: It is a hub for users who enjoy the raw, unpolished nature of the "Old Web." It often intersects with the "Cyberpunk," "Hacker," and "Doomer" aesthetics, where users share obscure media, software, and personal manifestos. 3. What does the name mean? The name is a combination of two common internet terms: Trash: A self-deprecating label used by many niche internet communities to describe their interests or themselves (e.g., "trash-tier," "garbage-post"). It signifies a rejection of "polished" or "normie" mainstream culture. Chan: The standard suffix for imageboards (derived from 2channel and 4chan). xyz: The .xyz top-level domain is often chosen by modern, independent, or "disruptive" web projects because it is affordable and distinct from traditional .com or .net domains. Trashchan: Effectively translates to "The Trash Imageboard" or "A Channel for Junk." Images from 1-2026

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TVChan

TVCH (tvch.moe) is a niche, modern "live imageboard" that blends traditional anonymous forum culture with synchronized media streaming. It is often referred to in the community as "TVchan." 1. Key Dates and Registration Domain Registration: The domain tvch.moe was first registered on August 15, 2021. First Wayback Machine Capture: The Internet Archive first captured a functional snapshot of the site on August 17, 2021. Launch: The site went live in mid-August 2021. It was created as a modern alternative to older "sync-watch" sites (like Cytube) but designed specifically for the anonymous imageboard (chan) aesthetic and user experience. 2. What is the site? TVCH is a Synchronized Media Board. Unlike a standard imageboard where users post static images and wait for replies, TVCH is "live." Synchronized Playback: The site features a video player at the top of the board that plays content for everyone at the exact same time. This creates a "broadcast television" experience for the internet. Anonymous Chat: Below the player is an imageboard-style thread where users post anonymously in real-time. This allows for "watch-along" events, where a community can watch an anime series, a movie, or a "weird-core" video loop together while commenting. User-Driven Programming: Users often have the ability to suggest or queue videos, or "DJs/Broadcasters" manage the stream for the day. It is highly popular within the "webcore," "breakcore," and niche anime subcultures. 3. What does the name mean? The name is a straightforward abbreviation following "chan" naming conventions: TV: Stands for Television. CH: Stands for Channel. moe: The TLD associated with anime and "cute" internet culture. TVCH: Effectively translates to "TV Channel Moe" or "The TV Channel Board." It reflects the site's goal of being a digital television channel for the anonymous "moe" community. 4. History and Community Context TVCH emerged during a period when many "Small Web" enthusiasts were looking for ways to replicate the "communal viewing" experience of early 2000s internet television. It is built on custom or highly modified imageboard software designed to handle real-time updates without the user needing to refresh the page. The site is frequently used for "marathons" of obscure media, niche Japanese broadcasts, and experimental music videos. It is considered a "next-gen" imageboard because it prioritizes the live, ephemeral experience over the long-term archiving of threads. Images 1-2026

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Uboachan

Uboachan (uboachan.net) is a specialized anonymous imageboard that serves as the central hub for the Yume Nikki fandom, an influential RPG Maker horror game. It is one of the most significant niche "fansites" in the history of the RPG Maker horror subculture. 1. Key Dates and Registration Domain Registration: The domain uboachan.net was first registered on July 3, 2008. First Wayback Machine Capture: The Internet Archive first captured a snapshot of the site on July 6, 2008, just days after the domain was registered. Launch: The site launched in July 2008 to replace earlier, more fragmented discussion groups for Yume Nikki. It arrived shortly after the game’s final major update (v0.10) in late 2007, filling a need for a centralized community as the "fangame" era began to explode. 2. What is the site? Uboachan is a community-run imageboard modeled after 4chan and 2channel, but exclusively dedicated to Yume Nikki and its various fan-made spin-offs (referred to as "fangames"). Fangame Development: The site is famous for being the "birthplace" of massive collaborative projects. Major fangames like Yume 2kki and .flow were largely developed, organized, and shared through Uboachan's /yn/ and /mega/ boards. The Aesthetic: The site maintains a minimalist, somewhat eerie atmosphere reflecting the game's psychological horror themes. It features boards for art, music, general discussion, and technical development of RPG Maker games. Legacy: For over a decade, it has remained the primary repository for "Effect" guides, map secrets, and lore theories, surviving several periods of downtime and "server migrations." 3. What does the name mean? The name is a tribute to one of the most iconic events in the original game: Uboa: This refers to a secret character/event in Yume Nikki. In the game, if you toggle a light switch in a character named Poniko's room, there is a small chance (1 in 64) that she will transform into a terrifying, flickering black-and-white face known as "Uboa." The Origin of "Uboa": The name itself is reportedly a Japanese onomatopoeia for a distorted scream. It gained fame originally from Final Fantasy II, where the character Emperor Mateus emits this sound upon his death. Chan: The standard suffix for "channel" or "imageboard," following the naming convention of 2channel and 4chan. Uboachan: Effectively translates to "The Uboa Imageboard." 4. History and Community Context Uboachan is a rare example of a "monothematic" imageboard that has stayed active for nearly 20 years. It represents a specific "Old Web" era where fans didn't just discuss a game but actively expanded its universe through anonymous collaboration. Many players consider the site's atmosphere to be an extension of the game's own surreal and lonely "dream" vibe.

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Counter Board

Vastalauta.org is a prominent Finnish anonymous imageboard that emerged as a major alternative to the country’s dominant board, Ylilauta, following a period of community dissatisfaction. 1. Key Dates and Registration Domain Registration: The domain vastalauta.org was registered on September 5, 2023. Launch: The site launched in late 2023 (September/October), quickly gaining traction among the Finnish "nyymi" (anonymous) community. Wayback Machine: The first functional captures began appearing in late 2023, documenting its rise as a "refugee" site for users leaving other platforms. 2. What is the site? Vastalauta is an anonymous imageboard (BBS) similar in structure to 4chan or 2channel, but specifically tailored to the Finnish-speaking internet. The "Refugee" Context: The site was created primarily as a protest against Ylilauta.org after that site introduced a "Gold Account" (Kultatili) system in October 2023, which restricted access to old threads and added more commercial elements. Vastalauta positions itself as a more traditional, "free," and community-focused alternative. The Aesthetic: The site is heavily themed around the Finnish Sauna. The boards, terminology, and visual elements all lean into this cultural staple. The main general board is named /saunainen/ (Sauna-like), and posters are often referred to in the context of sauna-goers. Content: It covers a wide range of topics including Finnish politics, news, anime, and general internet subculture. It maintains the "Old Web" imageboard spirit with a focus on anonymity and raw discourse. 3. What does the name mean? The name is a clever Finnish pun with two primary layers: Vasta: This is the Eastern Finnish word for a sauna whisk (a bundle of birch branches used for whisking/massaging the skin in a sauna). In Western Finland, it is called a vihta. Lauta: This means "board," the standard term for an imageboard (derived from the Finnish tradition of Kuvalauta, Ylilauta, etc.). Counter-Meaning: The prefix Vasta- in Finnish also means "Counter" or "Against" (e.g., vastarinta means resistance). Combined: Effectively, the name translates to "Whisk-board" (fitting the sauna theme) while simultaneously meaning "Counter-board" (signifying its role as the counter-culture alternative to the mainstream Ylilauta). Tagline: The site's motto, "Lauteet oksatonta leppää" (Benches of branchless alder), refers to the high-quality wood used for premium sauna benches, implying the site is a "high-quality" place for discussion. Images from 1-2026

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