Back in middle school when I first found out about anime, I felt that there was a taboo surrounding it. Not many people would talk about anime, and those that did made sure to do it secretly. Nowadays, anime is all around the world and I have a community of friends because of it.

Back in middle school, it was not against any rules to like anime. But some people just like to judge, and judging other people for liking anime is what they did.

In my experience, a lot of the time people had misconceptions about anime and anime lovers. Some people would mock others by saying that anime is only for children or that, by liking anime, you are just trying to become Japanese. In my experiences in middle and high school, the insult “weeaboo” was also used.  

In grade eight, I had a few friends who also liked anime but were not open about it in the same way I was. I think a big reason behind their hesitancy to show their interest was because they feared being judged by our peers. 

I, on the other hand, was very open about my passion for anime. I’d rather be around people who know I love anime, don’t mind, and even talk to me about it rather than being around people that would judge me as soon as they found out. I would rather be judged for my interest in anime than have fake friends.

Luckily, anime is all around the world nowadays. 

Just as there have been many other trends such as TikTok, ripped jeans, polka-dotted outfits and vaping, anime has become a huge part of pop culture. It has become normal to be talked about, and there have even been cases where celebrities have talked about anime.

Anime has even found its way into video games. Game companies have been using anime styled art recently, including HoYoverse, the company that created the sensational game Genshin Impact, which has millions of fans. 

I learned about Genshin Impact before it had even released and have been playing it ever since it came out. One of the reasons it appealed to me was because of its anime art style. 

I have friends that don’t even watch anime that still know about quite a few anime series because of how well known it has become. I can bring up the anime studio Studio Ghibli and people will know many of its titles, such as the animated movie Howl’s Moving Castle.

I love the fact that I can walk into a classroom at the University of Saskatchewan and see anime merchandise on other people’s laptops or bunnyhugs. I have always loved to showcase my love for anime by placing stickers on my laptop or wearing clothing with anime characters because it helps me find other people who have similar interests as me, and it allows me to make new friends. 

Just the other day, I walked into my English class and saw that someone’s laptop had a sticker from the anime Demon Slayer. I immediately went up to that person and let them know that I loved their stickers.

In the same way that fans of other franchises like Star Wars come together because of their shared interests, anime has done the same for me. If I had not said something to that person, I might never have become friends with them. Moreover, if I never displayed my love for anime, I may not have some of the friends I have today. 

I am now a part of a community of anime lovers and have friends because of it. It saddens me to know that, even to this day, there are still closeted anime fans who hide their love of anime for fear of being judged. I understand their reasons, but I hope that, like me, they can find amazing friends who accept them for who they are.

I have loved being a part of the anime community, and I hope to continue to be a part of this wonderful atmosphere. I hope that anime provides a beam of light for others the way it did for me. As long as the community stays strong, my love for anime will never fade. 

—

This op-ed was written by a University of Saskatchewan undergraduate student and reflects the views and opinions of the writer. If you would like to write a reply, please email opinions@thesheaf.com. Victoria Marks is a second-year undergraduate student studying English. She loves to watch anime on a weekly basis, play anime-themed video games daily and she has managed to make a great deal of friends because of expressing her love for anime. She believes that people should not be judged for what they like, but rather how they act. 

Graphics: @genshinimpact and @studio_ghiibli via Instagram