A VERY Open Love of Anime

In last week's "Hey, Answerman" column on www.animenewsnetwork.com, the question was posed:

"How open are you about your anime love with friends, family and colleagues? . . . ."

Though my response wasn't published, I think it would serve as a good inaugural post for this blog -- especially since it sums up my current philosphy in trying to convince others to share my love of the medium. My response is below. . . .

Can you really call something "love" if you feel obliged to hide it from your friends, family and colleagues? Not to put those in-the-closet anime/manga fans on the spot, but loving anime is not (despite suggestions to the contrary) a love that dare not speak its name. So, yes. I am out and open with friends, family and colleagues about my love . . . hmmmm, passion? . . . nay, mild obsession with anime. In fact, I am just as open with casual acquaintances or nominal strangers - if I can find a way to work anime into a conversation, rest assured that conversation will shortly be guided toward a discussion of the finer points of the medium.

I certainly am not suggesting that embracing your inner anime (or manga) otaku and revealing it to the world is always an easy decision. In my case, I am an older professional (of that oft-dreaded ilk attorney). I figure since so many people will automatically despise me due to my profession, what have I to fear from their reaction to my entertainment viewing preferences? Which also means I cannot wear anime apparel at work - somehow my t-shirts from various conventions just don't fit into the "business formal" dress code. But I have been known to put down various court decisions and pick up a manga to read over lunch.

All joking aside, As a 29-year-old, minority female, my interests have never been what one would call typical. Having grown up with an abiding love for science fiction, then being introduced to and falling hard for both jazz and classical music, and then later becoming acquainted with graphic novels -- well, let's just say most of my peers (especially my fellow females) weren't on the same wavelength. Considering my undergraduate degree in journalism and my J.D. (making me a lawyer), coupled with years of working at bookstores, it has long seemed natural that I should use whatever gifts of persuasion and debate that I have to attempt to widen people's horizons and introduce them to media that they might otherwise overlook or shun.

It helps that being mainstream and popular was never important to me - in fact, I never found such things particularly appealing. That said, for the last two years (ever since an ex commenced my anime indoctrination via the very odd mixture of Gantz, Kenshin, Inuyasha and Naruto) I have voraciously devoured in excess of 120 complete anime series, OVAs and other theatrical releases. And - like any normal person - I wanted someone to discuss these titles with. Alas, very few of my friends, family and colleagues had watched what I had just gleefully consumed. So the only logical thing to do was to begin introducing my friends and family to anime and attempt to turn them into converts. It helped that I would watch just about anything (I always give a show a chance, and constantly step outside of my preferred genres within the medium), which meant I could specifically suggest titles related to my potential converts long-standing interests and preferences.

A friend who goes head over heels for Jane Austen? Definitely Emma: A Victorian Romance.

That friend who is a budding guitarist -- easy, BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad.

A co-worker pining for the days of the X-Files . . . with some thought, Witch Hunter Robin.

A compatriot with an irreverent sense of humor and skepticism for all thing establishment and religion? Ghost Stories (English dub, of course).

Former psychologist - has to be both Welcome to the NHK and Evangelion.

My mother the art teacher - Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit.

My co-worker and horror aficionado - When they Cry.

So do I revel in my affair with anime? Do I trumpet my continually growing adoration to anyone who will listen? Do I readily admit that I'm taking Friday off so I can drive to an anime con and get various DVDs signed by my favorite voice actors? Do I endure any good natured teasing and do I continue on? Yes, but in a reasoned and intelligent way - by explaining how their conceptions of anime are likely misconceptions. By telling them it is a medium and not a genre - that they can find everything from shows for toddlers to shonen stories to romantic comedies to the most over-the-top mecha shows to the most thought-provoking science fiction to, should their tastes be more risqué, pornography. I explain that they are missing out on countless gems in any number of genres they already love. And I do everything I can to convince them to actually examine what it is that keeps me watching and has me so excited and enamored that I want others to share in it with me.

The more fans I can bring to the medium, the more demand for anime (hopefully) increases, and the more supply will (hopefully) continue to be forthcoming. And, really - if you can get a person to watch Cowboy Bebop or Planetes or Mushi-shi or Samurai Champloo or Kino's Journey or Ghost in the Shell or Full Metal/Fullmetal anything (Panic or Alchemist) or Baccano! or . . . the list goes on . . . don't we all win?