An Otakus's Journey: How I Started Loving Anime

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"A life that lives without doing anything is the same as a slow death." –Lelouch, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion

Hello everyone! Another free day, another blog— it's me again, haruki.tls123, back with a new post. As you know, I'm a big fan of anime; yes, I am a certified OTAKU HAHAHHA! With the countless anime series and movies I've watched/indulged in, I've found myself immersed in a this fantasy universe filled with some catching stories, intriguing characters, and unforgettable episodes. It's funny of how many of the anime's that I've watched, I sometimes find myself forgetting the names of some characters TwT huhu. However, the moment I see them again, it's like rediscovering a long-lost friend, like saying , "Oh, I know them! that is ughmm, ahhhhh I know his that guy with some cool shadow ahhhhhh what's his name!" 😭 Admit it fellow anime lovers, you've experienced this sometimes HAHAHAHA.

So, for this blog, I want to take you on a journey of how I discovered anime, what initially drew me in, and how this world has impacted and even changed my life. From childhood memories of watching classic anime to discovering new genres and connecting with fellow fans, my love for anime has grown into a significant part of who I am.


What is An OTAKU?

As I mentioned earlier that I'm an Otaku, let me explain what it means. An Otaku is someone who is really passionate about anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture. It's like being a superfan of these things! Otaku often spend a lot of time watching anime, reading manga (Japanese comics), collecting merchandise, and even attending anime conventions (ahh I miss this one when I was in Manila 😭)

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My First Watched Anime

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Ah, my first watched anime was titled "Slam Dunk". To be honest, I didn't really like it back then; I only watched it as a way to pass the time HAHAHAHAHA. Who among us Filipinos can forget 'Slam Dunk,' right? HAHAHHAHA! It was practically one of the anime's on GMA 7 back then. It's funny how I used to watch 'Slam Dunk' as a way to unwind after finishing a book, just something to pass the time. Although it was the first anime series I watched, it didn't immediately capture my interest in watching more animes. However, after many years, there was one anime that truly hooked me and sparked my love for anime, and what's the title of it? Of course, after Slam Dunk, I am always waiting to watch the anime titled "Bleach"


My Number One Anime

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So basically, as I mentioned earlier, Bleach is the anime that really caught my attention, and it remains my top favorite anime until now—YES, this is my all-time favorite anime 🤩🤩❤️!!

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Bleach is part of what's known as the "Big Three" anime, along with Naruto and One Piece. These three anime are called the Big Three because they were hugely popular and influential during their airing periods, shaping the anime landscape and gaining massive fan followings worldwide. What makes Bleach so amazing?? well it has everything!! from mind-blowing plot twists, incredibly well-developed characters, and the iconic "BANKAI!!!" transformations that fans can't get enough of. It's no wonder 'Bleach' has left a lasting impact on so many viewers.

And guess what? The excitement doesn't end there! I'm eagerly waiting for the final season of Bleach set to be released in a few months. Even though the series is coming to an end, I'm grateful to it because it's where my anime journey began, and it will always hold a special place in my heart 💯❤️.


After getting hooked on Bleach, I started exploring other anime series, and that's when I truly realized the vast world of anime—the different genres, unique storytelling styles, and the distinct differences from cartoons. I have to admit, I regret ever calling anime that it is a cartoons in the past, and I'm sorry for that, guys wahhhh Gomenasai 😭!!

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Believe it or not, my journey into anime started way back in grade 1, and since then, I've watched a ton of anime series. I can confidently say that I've seen thousands of anime series and movies by now. Although, to be honest, I'm not exactly sure about the count. There are some anime series I've watched that I didn't include in my counting because I don't have a cellphone back then in Manila because of the fact that I'm spending my money to buy books..

Back then, I used to buy some sorts of books right?, but now, I'm all about light novels, manga and manwha books! There's something so fulfilling about reading manga that based on the anime I watch. It's like diving deeper into the story in advance and characters that I love so much. Especially since I've always been a reader at heart, manga has become a big part of my reading list and entertainment choices.

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(My Favorite Light Novel)


How Anime Impacted Me?

I know that for fellow anime lovers, anime can have different impacts on our lives—some good and some not so good, depending on how we integrate it into our lives. I've seen people who stopped studying because of anime or became more introverted due to the influences of the characters they watch. But it's all about balance.

But for me? Anime has had a profoundly positive impact. Why? Well, it's through anime that I've been able to apply my drawing skills, leading me into the world of digital art. It's also been my inspiration for creating my own novel.

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During the pandemic, I even started working on a manga with many characters, although I had to pause it due to being busy. Also, I've got some a little bit of a fandom that's still waiting for me to release it, and I'm grateful for their support but sorry in advance because I might release it anymore due to my studies and yes I always prioritize it especially that I'm going to the college.

Anime has also shaped my perspective on life and anime has shown me examples of some stuff that I can apply to myself. Of course, I believe in balancing it out because being a "delulu" or delusional about anime characters (waifus and husbandos) can happen. I've experienced it too, but hey, it's all part of the fun and journey of being an anime fan, right? HAHAHAHHAHA (btw my waifu is Rem from Re: zero, she's mine 😡!! HAHAHA just kidding)

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Being also a fan of anime also opened up opportunities for me to make anime fan friends! I vividly remember joining group chats on Messenger that is related to anime discussions. They were my lifesavers during boring times—chatting about anime gossip, occasional spoilers (which some would tease me with), and playful banter. And you know what? I'm still glad to call them my friends till now. It's amazing how anime can bring people together and form some kind of friendship.


As I end this blog post, I am always glad that I've indulged in the world of anime. To everyone reading this, whether you're a seasoned anime enthusiast or just starting your anime journey. Embrace the moment you're watching anime and let it enrich your life. Find inspiration in the stories, characters, and lessons anime brings. Connect with fellow fans and build friendships, don't be an introvert because anime should give you happiness that transcend borders and differences. And most importantly, remember to strike a balance and enjoy the wonderful world of anime responsibly:>

Thank you for joining me on this journey through my love for anime. May your anime adventures be filled with excitement, laughter, and unforgettable memories. Until next time, haruki.tls123 out! Sayonara<3 ❤️

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To support your work, I also upvoted your post!

Thanks for sharing your Anime journey here. Rem is mine!!! You can have Subaru, Bakaaaa!!!

How’d you muster the courage to write this and what are you studying in school? I recently started creating Anime content due to my own anxiety about talking about my experiences with the hobby right after New Years, so I’m still nervous to make a submission each time I do.

Keep on rocking. 🔥

This was invigorating to read bro!!

Lovely drawings, dope cosplay and the light novels... AHHH!!!

I'm totally jealous 😭😂😂.
I actually haven't read a light novel yet, just manga...
Mostly because it's hard to find and expensive in my country though...

This is a true OTAKU...

A man of culture!

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The problem for me is that 99.5% of anime/manga just utterly blows. As a medium, I would rank it low. However, it does have some incredible exceptions which take the spotlight.

Everything else is just a shadow attempting to mimic. All the characters and personalities are extremely cookie-cutter, the voice acting is limited to about 7 different 'types', for example, and even the most absurd, ridiculous designs are a dime a dozen (For example, Armstrong in FMA is practicaly copy-pasted into FF7 Rebirth as a flamboyant, overly enthusiastic muscle man, Dio).

I mean, it can't be helped when you, as a country, are churning out infinite content every day, essentially throwing darts at a board of 'anime tropes' and churning out whatever the results are.

For most manga/anime studios, the budgets are tight, and the deadlines even tighter. What that means is, animators for example are essentially on slave wages much of the time, and they mostly just don't have the time or resources to create masterpieces. People say the low framerate is due to budget, but it's really just because it's quicker.

This just isnt an environment conducive to high quality content. It just so happens that some seep through the cracks once in a blue moon, and we should be grateful for that I suppose (FMA, Ghost in the Shell, Death Note, AoT, etc,)

Sorry to drag it down lol. I just don't understand weeby people's attitude that it's just all incredile and beautiful when it all just looks, sounds, and behaves the same across the board with very few exceptions.