What Is Your Anime History?
It has been a while since we have posted something like this, and I was kind of curious about all of our new readers, why do you like anime? A pretty simple question, or so I thought until I started to think about it myself. I’m also curious about some of the people who don’t like anime. Strange enough I have gotten a few readers that don’t seem to like anime in the first place. I’m not sure if they visit the site because they are trying to get into it, or feel that it isn’t all bad, or maybe just more material to bash what they dislike. Either way I will leave the comments open for anyone who doesn’t like anime either so you don’t’ feel excluded. And like me, you probably don’t all like every single genre, so what are your least favorites? I figured that it probably isn’t the nicest thing to ask someone else why they like anime and not answer it myself.
The reason I like anime isn’t something as simple as “It looks cool”. Although when I was a kid I might have thought that considering I grew up on things like Dragon Ball Z and Naruto, times have changed. My reasoning has changed a bit after watching series like Neon Genesis Evangelion, Ghost in the Shell, Welcome to the NHK!, etc. Many anime actually get you thinking about your own life. After sifting through harems, ecchi, fan service, and other such distractions, you may find yourself actually finding deeper meaning in the anime realm. I urge many people to try different types of anime before making a solid judgment. For example, I started watching anime with a lot of action such as Cowboy Bebop. As a kid I probably didn’t care much for anything else or had no interest in genres such as romance. Slowly my tastes began to transition with anime such as Inuyasha which had a combination of romance and action. A couple years later I would say I was rather indiscriminant of any anime. Of course there are some that rub me the wrong way still *cough* True Tears *cough* and others that are completely tasteless *cough* Yosuga no Sora *cough*. Nevertheless for anyone who judges, bashes, or even pokes at those who watch the anime culture, why not at least give it a shot?
After that brief history I guess I should give you the reason why I like anime so much. Enjoyment that inspired me to create a review website and spread what little knowledge I have of the subject. It is difficult to describe completely so I will do my best by creating a comparison scenario. After a long week at work, ten hour days with little break for nothing more than eating you are exhausted. Your muscle ache, your mind feels numb. Day after day, the same routine of getting up, getting ready, going to work, and coming back home to a most likely unmade bed. You hold on. You keep chugging through it until the day has come: Friday. The final day of work has finally arrived after a week of hell. You watch as the clock ticks down to the end of your shift. It finally strikes closing time and you are officially done with work. Once you exit the doors of your office, your imprisonment, a feeling of joy sweeps over you. Because now it is your time. Your life. Your entertainment. Even if it is only for a short couple days, they feel like an oasis in a vast desert. That is the feeling I get when I watch anime. A time where I can focus on what I want. A break in the hectic times of everyday life. Just as some play sports or video games, anime to me is a time where all the worries of my life vanish, even for a short while. It doesn’t matter if it is a horror, sci-fi, comedy, or romance. Anime is something that I can look forward to when things around me aren’t looking too bright. It is that lighthouse after days at sea saying, “Welcome home”.
So why do you like anime?