UlasanAnime.com – The consumption of media, including anime, often shifts as individuals mature. What was once a casual pastime can evolve into a more purpose-driven engagement, prompting questions about the reasons behind our preferences and how we articulate them. This introspection, while potentially diminishing the initial charm, can also lead to a deeper connection with the content.
The author reflects on their personal anime-watching habits, likening it to consuming any other form of media. They question what prompts people to switch their attention from one form of entertainment to another, using the analogy of people disengaging from online gaming to pursue other interests.
A key question posed is what sustains an individual’s interest in anime. While enjoyment is a primary motivator, the author suggests that as one consumes more anime, their “fill” might eventually be met, leading to a sense of novelty wearing off. This is compared to the potential disappointment audiences might feel with new Hollywood adaptations of beloved franchises like TMNT or Transformers, not just due to offense, but also from a sense of being oversaturated.
The author posits that the magic of being a new anime fan lies in those initial moments of discovery, and in the ability of people to remain passionate about what they loved as children. Recalling their own youth, the author remembers being a fan of TMNT but not being particularly materialistic. They recall owning few TMNT toys and instead creating their own merchandise, like an iron-on shirt used as a poster.
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As children grow, their consumption patterns inevitably change, becoming more goal-oriented. The author questions why people sit down to watch TV and whether there’s a need to justify liking something beyond the inherent enjoyment. This marks a shift from a simple declaration of “I like this” to a more personal identification of “I am someone who likes this,” where identity becomes intertwined with preference. Articulating these passions, the author suggests, can sometimes diminish their inherent charm.
Despite this observation, the author draws a parallel to the appeal of particle physics and puns, hinting at a broader appreciation for intellectual and playful aspects of communication. More significantly, they introduce the concept that those who receive much are expected to give much in return. For the author, passively watching anime without engaging with it on a deeper level would feel odd and meaningless. While anime can evoke emotional responses like laughter and tears, or provide intellectual stimulation, these experiences can be replicated through other activities like conversing with friends, playing music, or taking a class.
Therefore, a reaction or a change is deemed necessary. The author finds a strong motivation in a humanist perspective, which in turn reaffirms their personal moral compass. Simultaneously, the inherent passion within anime itself is infectious, making it difficult not to get swept up in it. The author emphasizes that what one brings to the experience of watching something significantly contributes to its enjoyment. While watching TV might seem passive, truly enjoying it requires active engagement and effort.
For the author, the internet community, friends, people in Japan, and conventions all form a network that keeps them deeply engaged. They admit to spending more time writing, thinking, and discussing various aspects of anime and fandom than actually watching anime. While this might seem a bit sad, they find it to be a very enjoyable pursuit.
