People at work seem to think I am an anime otaku. The thing is though I only really like two anime: Bleach and Rurouni Kenshin. And while I love the animation and the soundtracks of both series, the reason I watch them is because of their stories. Something in the stories really intrigues me and I guess it is because of this that I tend to talk, talk, talk about these anime and in turn get people to think I am an anime otaku.
These shows have some similarities. Like for example, the seemingly fragile looking hero who has superhuman or super death god powers, or the band of friends that seem to follow the hero everywhere despite his objections. Even the friends’ physical appearances are quite similar. There is also the samurai-esque theme of both shows. But the underlying storyline of bravery, friendship and self-sacrifice is the thing that clinches it for me.
The main characters always give “Inochi wo Mamoru Tame ni (命を守るために、 To protect a life)” or “Tomodachi wo Mamoru Tame ni (友達を守るために, To protect a friend)” as the reason of their existence or of their passion to do battle. It always humbles me and I usually get goosebumps from how self-sacrificing they are about their causes: protecting people above all else and fighting to the bitter end, not giving up and rising from deathly blows to prove that good conquers.
This is the reason I watch anime. It’s a whole and very different world. There is so much beauty in the drawings, and there is so much meaning in the story. It gives hope and strength. It gives meaning to where there might be none, and it gives entertainment to the majority of us.
In related matters, I received a link from a reader. He is presently conducting a research about an extract from the show Bleach. See his site here.
Arigatoo Gozaimasu! :o)
Good luck with your research, Dirk! Let us know about your findings… would be really interesting.
you’re a real otaku if you own this kind of bedsheet, but it should be some doraemon character instead of an eroge one LOL
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Thanks for the suggestion, Rick. But I’m not that kind of otaku… if I’m an otaku at all.
I wonder if they have a cutesy sky blue or sunshine yellow one with Renji Abarai, though.
How do you like the latest Bleach episodes spanish arrancar and stuff? I think it is actually cool they have a totally flavor to anime, the spanish theme in Japanese.
I don’t know If I said it already but …Hey good stuff…keep up the good work! 🙂 I read a lot of blogs on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say I’m glad I found your blog. Thanks,)
A definite great read….
Hey, I’m a 14-year1-old anime otaku and proud. I’ve loved anime for a long time, and I personally don’t care what other people think. I’m prpud of what I am. I go to school with a totally anime backpack, anime-style hair and about as much manga as possible, and I will happily walk through my school with my head held high. I understand what you mean by strength and friendship and bravery – I believe strongly that anime is inspirational. Yet people still continue to discriminate against otaku, when they have no experience themselves. Anime means a lot to me. It’s taught me to stay strong and to stand up for what I believe in, and pay no attention to other’s opinions if they hardly know anything about the positive mindset that anime provides. Every otaku should be proud of what they are. After all, we fly the flag for bravery, courage, friendship and trust.