Anime and Manga has, until very recently, been considered to be a hobby for losers and nerds (at least in the west) with some exceptions and caveats. It's just in the last 5 years or so when the hobby started becoming more mainstream and more accepted in normie social circles.
Speaking from personal experience, I hid the fact that I read manga and watched anime from my friends in high-school since I didn't want to be seen as a weeb. Now that it is more widely accepted, many of the same friends have admitted to liking shonen anime ever since they were kids as well.
That being said, I still see that my obsession with One Piece has brought a lot of good and bad things to my life. I used this hobby as a way to shelter myself from others when I was going through hard times, which I think contributed to my cynicism and contemptuous demeanor. On the other hand, it's allowed me to stay true to myself and has helped me be more honest with myself and with others.
I guess my question is, do you think this hobby/sub-culture has made your life better or worse?
Speaking from personal experience, I hid the fact that I read manga and watched anime from my friends in high-school since I didn't want to be seen as a weeb. Now that it is more widely accepted, many of the same friends have admitted to liking shonen anime ever since they were kids as well.
That being said, I still see that my obsession with One Piece has brought a lot of good and bad things to my life. I used this hobby as a way to shelter myself from others when I was going through hard times, which I think contributed to my cynicism and contemptuous demeanor. On the other hand, it's allowed me to stay true to myself and has helped me be more honest with myself and with others.
I guess my question is, do you think this hobby/sub-culture has made your life better or worse?
