It all started in my tender years of elementary school. I began watching the likes of Gundam Wing and Fullmetal Alchemist. At that age, I thought Cartoon Network was the only way I'd ever watch anything of the sort. In fact, I was entirely ignorant to the fact that these shows were even originally Japanese. I did notice, however, that there was something very special about them. They stuck out to me and captured me more than any Western cartoon ever could. I don't even think I watched any other show unless it was anime.
Middle school came about and I was engrossed on all the trappings any kid could ask for. PSPs, DSs, an Xbox, a computer. I had it all. My homeroom had started hosting an anime club at our school and, of course, I was all in. A few times a week we got together and watched shows like Naruto and Hellsing while eating spicy ramen noodles. It was heaven. I couldn't have asked for better. Let's not even mention the Xmod club I joined.. "Too Much Boost". Oh happy days. I'd say that was quite possibly the best 3 years of my life right there.
Soon enough, high school was upon me and I was conscripted into the popularity game alongside my fellow peers and anime had taken a sudden, and seemingly indefinite, hiatus in my life. It all but vanished from my interest. Still, things showed up here and there. True anime fans had crossed my path more than a time or two and I began to discover the true nature of my favorite form of entertainment. I gained more and more knowledge over the years in high school and began to delve deeper into the world of 2D entertainment at its best. Of course, friends and video games took up much more of my time and attention so I couldn't stand by and say with dignity that I was a true anime fan.
Time pressed on and high school was over before you could say "what color should I dye my hair this month?" I found myself a father at 18 and working at GameStop in my local mall. That's when it all came back.. more anime and video game merchandise than even the most elite otaku's basement, I found myself among people who simply adored the medium as more than just entertainment: it was a form of personal expression. If you love anime, you were a certain type of person. That's just what it takes. It began to swarm over me like a blanket of light. It warmed my heart and lifted me up high in the sky, past all of my worries and strife.. beyond my doubt and contempt.. I found peace in the bosom of a world filled with light and magic.... I started watching all sorts of shows I had never heard of. Experiencing feelings I had never felt. Seeing things that only an anime lover could see.
Alas, it didn't last too long as the duty of a father is never fulfilled. I put it off for a good long while so I could care for my son with all of my undivided attention (or most of it, at least). A few years passed and, as my son grew older, I found that I could make more and more time to enjoy anime once again without feeling like I was taking away from him. This brings us to the present where I now enjoy all sorts of anime in mass quantities and have even found myself yearning for things like JRPGs and other genres of Japanese gaming.
So, there you have it! My anime life in a nutshell. I didn't bother too much with naming series because.. well.. it's MAL.. I give kudos to anyone who has read this in its entirety. Feel free to check out my list, make suggestions, invite me to discussions, or add me on Steam! (you can message me about that last one)
Okay, ya'll, that's about it for me. Time to get back to my seasonal binge. Toodles!
|
All Comments (0) Comments