I like to think I have an appreciation for anime as an art form. It’s not something that will stand the test of time and be looked upon favorably by generations to come, mind you. It’s just something that’s capable of great beauty, be it in the artwork itself, the storytelling, the presentation, the music… whatever. The shows that move me most are those that exhibit great beauty in some way, shape, or form. It may be subtle or it may be obvious. It may be something that appeals to everyone or it may be something that appeals to me alone. But, whatever it may be, it’s there, and when I recognize it, I’m reminded of why I watch anime in the first place.

Sometimes, however, I feel like I’m old-fashioned. It’s as if being seriously in love with anime has gone out of style. For those of you who can remember high school, perhaps you recall a friend or classmate who, despite possessing great knowledge or talent, never seemed to care about anything. Perhaps it was you. When I think of the modern American anime fan, this is the image that comes to mind. I know it’s not absolute truth, but I still can’t shake the feeling that fandom is more shallow, narcissistic, and mean-spirited than ever before.

I don’t think anime should be Serious Fucking Business. I like to geek out and have fun as much as the next fan. But, if you’ve ever been the designated driver for a night out on the town, you know that watching your friends get all drunk and stupid ceases to be amusing after awhile. Sometimes, there’s little joy in being a serious anime fan. But, there’s no dishonor in being a serious anime fan.

Nor is there dishonor in being a constructive anime fan. Years ago, when I first started reading weblogs, I noticed something interesting: in describing their blogs, it was common for authors to use the word “rant”. I soon discovered that any blog that used the word “rant” in title or description wasn’t a blog worth reading. It was no surprise, really. After all, to rant is to “speak or write in a angry or violent manner.” In my opinion, such writing, while occasionally entertaining, has little value to me as a reader. I realized I wasn’t their audience.

Which holds true for a lot of anime blogs, unfortunately. I can’t criticize any anime blogger for writing in the manner he or she wishes, but I will admit that it pains me to see just as many blogs out there spewing bile and invective about anime as there are blogs promoting the medium. I rarely read these blogs, and I sure as hell won’t link to them. And I do my best to maintain a constructive and positive tone when blogging myself - even when I DO have something to bitch and moan about.

Of course, I suppose it would be awfully presumptuous of me to say, “I wish more anime fans would see anime the way I see it,” but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t sometimes feel that way. And, even though I know there’s nothing wrong with that, I still feel sheepish. Recently, I was reading the short biography I have here, and thought to myself, “Man, I really should rewrite this. I sound like a dork.” What concerned me most, however, was the paragraph explaining my “interest in modern Japanese culture”. I asked myself, “Why did I write that?” Indeed, why did I feel it necessary to assure my readers that my interest in Japan pre-dates my interest in anime?

Well, if you know the term “weeaboo”, you’d understand why.

Enough is enough. No longer will I apologize for being seriously in love with anime. No longer will I sit idly by as self-hating anime fans disparage those who have the audacity to care. I’m going to keep promoting the hell out of the shows and characters I love.

And if you call me a “fanboy”, I’m just going to smile and say, “Well, at least I have a passion for something. How about you?”