Shiizumi’s Simplistic Reasons for Watching Anime

This post is a part of a project being held by my fellow anime blogger, Kai. Can I join the party?

I’ve known anime for the longest time but I came to love it just about two years ago. Back then, there were only few shows to choose from our local television and most of them are all reruns for the hundredth times! Thankfully, the knowledge of this so-called anime online streaming reached my radar so I became much updated with the new and current shows being aired in Japan.

Anyway, anime became an important part of my life and I must say, I can’t live a week without it. That being said, what are my reasons for watching anime?

In the beginning, I watch anime and used it as a SWORD TO FIGHT BOREDOM. Admit it, we all did right? However, my reasons for watching anime became deeper and deeper as time goes by.

The most basic and the most generic answer would be is: TO ESCAPE REALITY. We’ve been facing reality for the rest of our lives and sometimes we are becoming sick and tired of it. School, work and other boring and routinary stuffs. Isn’t it nice to have a way to leave reality behind and be sucked into a world just for yourself even just for a while? There are plenty of healthy and unhealthy ways to do it. As for me, anime is my temporary escape. I lock myself inside my room, forget everything around me and indulge myself into the world of anime. But don’t worry, I make sure that I come back to the real world. I’m not one of those who substitute their escape to their reality.

Anyway, sometimes when I’m feeling stressed/depressed, I watch light anime especially comedies. It helps me forget my problems even just for a bit. It is therefore my FORM OF RELAXATION. But sometimes, when I’m feeling all-happy, as if everything’s going my way, I rewatch depressing shows. I want to cry. I want to get angry. I want to get depressed. I dunno, but I want everything balanced in my life. Maybe there’s something wrong with me?

The apple which symbolizes fate – Mawaru Penguindrum

Anime is also a way to tackle ideas and awaken the minds of the viewers about certain things. They do it unconventionally, in an interesting way. Shows like Mawaru Penguindrum and Steins;Gate tackle the subjects of “fate” and “time travel” in a way you’ll definitely enjoy. That being said,  I watch anime TO EXPLORE NEW  IDEAS. You can do also do it by searching in google and stuffs like that, but for people like me who doesn’t want to bother doing such things, anime is the right place to learn new things.

Anime series are capable of changing one’s perspective. They teach subtle lessons in life that one hardly notices. I must say that anime CHANGED MY PERSPECTIVE IN LIFE. The lessons I learned in shows like Natsume Yuujinchou are priceless. They say that experience is the best teacher but for me, anime helps me “experience” some things I wont otherwise experience in the real world.

The reasons I stated above can also be applied to other forms of media. However, anime is the “right and the best” medium for me. I don’t like comparing it to other forms of media because I would be too bias.

I just love the art and the animation. It is very unique and lovely. There are also a wide variety of stories to choose from and sometimes it tackles even the most trivial things in life. What I like about it is that it explores the improbable and nothing is impossible in the story given the right amount of budget. No laws of physics being applied. It caters to the tastes of everyone, of any gender, of any age.

Cantus, Queerats and etc

Okay, so those are my reasons for watching anime. Oh, I forgot the most important one. I watch anime because IT IS FUN! So, you my dearest readers, what are your reasons for watching anime?