Matrix isn't better than Discord on that aspect.

There are the anime communities already, so it's not just about projects.

Also, on Discord, you can have pretty serious discussions and organise your projects. But it's never done in #general : you need to create specific rooms where users focus.

The shoutout function is at the heart of the group on Discord.

But Discord won users in the first place by allowing them to create rooms and organize discussions. It was meant to run projects (if you consider a RPG is a project, but whatever, as long as it works)