Can Anime Save Lives?

I’m skeptical, but I’ve heard a few people talk about anime helping them through a dark patch. Can anime really help us? Can anime save lives?

Sure, “thicc thighs save lives,” but we all know anime is only about panty shots and booba. Surely there’s nothing, you know, like, actually worthwhile and stuff?

Escape into Anime

A friend in university had a rough first year of studies. I’ve never forgotten her mentioning her coping method. She claimed that Amélie (2001) — which had come out that year — helped her stay sane. I’ve often wondered why. Was it escapism? Was there a powerful message? Did she relate to Audrey Tautou’s character of Amélie? I lost contact with that friend, so I’ll probably never know.

I do know, however, that in anime, we find a wide and varied banquet, with shows catering to every taste. If a movie can act as a lifeline, then surely anime can, too? Do you like plot or “plot?” There’s something for you. Serious or goofball characters, we’ve got both. Isn’t that why we fell in love with anime? We found something we connected with and stayed. That’s why anime fandom in the West started as a fringe subculture and grew to include all types of fans.

I guess that’s part of the answer. Anime is an escape from the rough real world. When we connect to an anime character, their world becomes a home away from home.

Frieren and Meditations on Mortality

I didn’t expect Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (Sōsō no Furīren) to hit as hard as it did. On the surface, the story is about an elven mage and her adventures after “the victorious adventure.” If you look deeper, you’ll find that the real story is about Frieren learning to appreciate life. Enjoy life’s tiny joys, value the often-fleeting human connections one makes, and live in the moment. That’s what’s important. Enjoy that field of flowers, girl.

Frieren feels like a well-timed message after the ravages of COVID. A good friend of mine lost his father to COVID at a time when borders were closed, and it was impossible to be with his mom and dad. I also lost my father a year later. Without throwing its message in your face, Frieren provides a deeply contemplative story that lets us meditate on mortality. And life. And that’s while being funny and entertaining.

I can’t say that Frieren saved my life, but the chance to pause, get perspective, and think about life and loss is refreshing. And I’ll take that. Thanks, anime!

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Has anime helped you? Can anime save lives? Did it save yours? This conversation can get deep and dark quickly, but maybe you have some thoughts to share? We’d love to hear from you.

Own some of Frieren’s magic with the Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End ~ Blu-ray Vol.1 First Limited Edition. It includes episodes 1–4 of the series, a shikishi illustration board from manga creator Tsukasa Abe, and a 24-page booklet about the characters and world. Can anime save lives? We’re counting on Frieren and Fern to prove it can!