I remember it like yesterday — the first time I saw an anime. I was 8 years old, bored at home, and didn't know what to watch. Then, I stumbled upon a cartoon about a primary school girl who gets attacked by a monster and transforms into a superhero.
I was hooked. Everything changed.
I later found out that anime, was called Mew Mew Power. The girl who transformed was Zoey.
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Becoming a fan
I delved into the anime community during high school. I enjoyed shows like Yu-Gi-Oh, Solty Rei, Ouran Host Club, Tenjou Tenge, and many others that were broadcast on channel 126.
After some time, the channel disappeared, and I felt lost without it. It was like the colour had drained from my life. Anime was my safe space; my escape. I had been bullied since primary school and never really dealt with those feelings. Anime provided a place for me to be a kid away from all of it. The insults, the mockery even the shame. It also connected me with a community of people who shared my love for anime, giving me a sense of belonging, akin to making a friend on the first day of school.
Why start the blog?
So when I started my third year in Journalism I wanted to create a blog about something I cared about. I knew a lot about... and that was anime. I liked talking about anime in depth from the art style to the plot. So, I pitched the idea to my lecturer and she allowed it.
Becoming a self-appointed anime reviewer changed things. I learned a lot more about the anime industry. Before, I never paid attention to what production studio created the anime. I just thought the main character was cool and started watching. Now, I paid attention to the audience reception, the creator and the symbolism in the story. In a way, this made me love anime more.
It's been about 3 years since I started this blog, but I have not been consistent. The only person I can blame is myself for that. I know what you're thinking, why I was not consistent. It's simple - I didn't make time for it. I thought other things were more important.
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But now things have changed. You see, anime is a part of my childhood. It's one of the many parts of myself that have collected dust, all because I believed "real adults don't watch anime."
Why? Because I saw everyone grow up and get 'real' jobs and 'real hobbies. So, I did the same and tried to fit in. It worked for a while then I became miserable.
There were a few things that kept me happy. It still wasn't the same.
Why come back, then?
I want to experience those same feelings, even if it means crying through gut-wrenching episodes of slice-of-life anime, or screaming for the main character to realize their potential. I guess this is me saying to you that I want a new start, and this blog is that for me.
My life needs more colour in it. It hasn't been as exciting since the day I stopped posting. It's just been bland. Maybe this blog is an ode to my younger self, finding joy in something that would never leave.
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