Although it’s far from perfect, I love social media. In addition to tweeting out random oppai GIFs or asking for ideas for topics to write about, I get to post interesting and thought-provoking memes and get feedback from J-List customers about them. Recently I posted an image that asked, “How has anime changed your life?” featuring the glasses-wearing teacher Sakie Sato from Interviews with Monster Girls, who is a 24-year-old succubus who’s never been in a relationship. It was interesting seeing the varying kinds of responses I got from the Twitter and Facebook posts, and I thought I’d write them up in this blog post.
How has Anime Changed Your Life? J-List Customers Respond!
The responses came in several general categories, so I thought to make separate sections exploring each kind of reply we got.
Some Responses Identified with the Meme
Anime fans are a humble, self-effacing lot, and it wasn’t surprising that many posted responses making fun of their similarity to Sakie-sensei, whether they were 24 and single, 25 and single, or whatever age.
This will be me in two months.
I’m 25 and single.
42 and still single…
This young male watched one season of current season anime. This is what happened to his social life.
Can Anime Have a Positive Effect on Fans?
While becoming an otaku can sometimes lead to being viewed as a nerd or otherwise as a socially awkward individual, depending on who is paying attention, there were many responders who talked about the happy benefits being an anime fan managed to bring them.
31 and single, and very happy. Lots of friends, lots of figures, own a house, have a nice car and have a good job. Been loving anime since I was six.
Anime has motivated me to work out, stay in shape, build muscle and study hard for my goals and dreams in the future no matter how hard life is, as an autistic 24-year-old adult still in college.
How did you become an otaku? Here’s a blog post for you with more responses from J-List customers!
I am an autistic adult who back then struggled to use correct emotions in situations. I watched Clannad and it got me to realize maybe laughing at people’s sadness might not have been appropriate. I absolutely stumped my counselors with my change in attitude after watching that series.
Anime made me feel open about interacting with people who share my interests.
Anime got me interested in Japanese culture and language which led to me meeting the wonderful Japanese woman that became my bride.
Well, there was this ONE show that helped me get through my worst bout of depression…
I found my husband 21 years ago. Now we have three kids, who love anime along with us 😁
Anime is seriously the best way to escape from the troubles of daily life. No matter what is bothering me, some anime tiddies always cheer me up.
I keep more in touch with the friends I made at my college anime club than I do with anyone else I knew while a student.
Anime is what got my (IRL) wife and me talking to each other.
Anime gave me a life I never would have imagined. Using it to tackle my situation growing up poor and in some of the most dangerous streets of Chicago, I became an Otaku Rapper, songwriter, record producer, and founded a record label that is the hub for Otaku music. Anime saves. pic.twitter.com/LBtC7gcmI4
— Chaos Network (@SChaosNetwork) October 19, 2021
This show cured my depression.
In my own case, anime enabled me to realize my long dream of doing anime, hentai doujinshi, and visual novels as a business, which has been extremely fun and satisfying over the past 25 years. Thanks for making it possible with your support of J-List!
Conclusion: How has Anime Changed You?
One of the themes in the replies to my posts on Twitter and Facebook is that more than a few of our customers is single and not currently in a relationship, though many were quick to point out this was by their choice, or otherwise something they took responsibility for, rather than blaming any lack of social interaction on anime itself.
And as I often do, I wondered why so many of these anime fans who aren’t in relationships can’t find each other so they can possibly enjoy anime together. Maybe a company like OK Cupid needs to make a nerd-friendly website guys and girls with geekier hobbies can find each other.
Thanks for reading this post! Got any other examples of how fandom has changed your life? Tell us in the comments below (Peter reads all comments), or on Twitter!
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