Can you retain your fandom?

[Allegro]

Have you guys ever felt that your anime fandom might be dimming or decline as time goes by? I am sure many of you have had peaks where you were really into anime\manga, but eventually find a point in your life where it wasn't as high as it used to be.

I guess with me being busy with college, as well as work, my anime watching is starting to get less and less frequent. Anime is great and has certainly made an impact entertainment-wise, but I am finding out more and more that eventually it will eventually dim out for me. I am still interested in a few series here and there, but eventually I will need to take a break from the stuff to reorganize my other hobbies and priorities.

Can anybody relate?

[meboeck]

I have a lot of hobbies and activities I like, and all of them have ups and downs. I kind of cycle through various things. At one point I will be watching a lot of anime, at another, I will be writing a lot, and at another I will get really into manga or reading novels. I think it is good to sort of cycle through like that so you don't get obsessed with one thing.

[ChristianKitsune]

sometimes...like Meboek says it's a cycle. Right now I don't watch A LOT of anime...except for what is on AS.

I still read a lot of manga though when each nine weeks of school ends (because I have a school reading program that I have to maintain) so I buy manga in bulk and like read them all at once...

I mostly just draw in the style though...

[Arnobius]

I've mostly given it up... I almost never buy anime any more except for some imports you can't get here, and very few manga series (Negima in both JP and English, Excel Saga the same, Genshiken and High School Girls. Yoysuba& and Crayon Shinchan before they went on hiatus). To be honest I haven't found many good series since Azumanga Daioh. I don't know whether it indicates anime has gone into a slump or it just no longer matches my tastes.

[Cap'n Nick]

It's pretty easy to think of anime as a religion where there are serious consequences for not "keeping the faith." Of course this is ridiculous. It's natural for people's tastes to change over time, even if it takes them into entirely different worlds of entertainment.

I've made a lot of friends here, though. I'd be pretty sad if we ran out of common ground.

[Bobtheduck]

I'm not nearly the otaku now I was a year ago, and not nearly then what I was 5 years ago... So, yeah, it does wane, but that's because I realized anime isn't all that special... Animation is just another storytelling medium, so I can enjoy movies and anime the same...

[Mangafanatic]

I think everything goes through cycles. There are times in my life when I don't watch many movies, then times when it picks back up again. My fandom depends entirely on whether I have something that appeals to me at the moment. Usually, I'll find a series I like, follow it through to completion, morn its loss (R.I.P. Hachikuro), and then spend several other months being mentally abusive of all other series that don't measure upto the series which I had just been so attached to. Then, of course, in time, something else comes along which appeals to me and the cycle repeates.

I also image that a great deal of "loosing interest" could involve when you aren't in the loop enough to know what's REALLY good out of all the mediocre stuff that comes out every year. I know when I'm not regularly near anime information I get less interested in it.

Just like any thing, I'd like to think that I'll always be interested in anime. It's an medium of story telling, and I can't imagine a time when I wouldn't watch a good story which was told via Anime-- just as I enjoy movies, books, ect.

[Arnobius]

It's pretty easy to think of anime as a religion where there are serious consequences for not "keeping the faith." Of course this is ridiculous. It's natural for people's tastes to change over time, even if it takes them into entirely different worlds of entertainment.

I've made a lot of friends here, though. I'd be pretty sad if we ran out of common ground.

There is still a lot to talk about here... I haven't contributed to too many anime threads lately except generally since a lot of series I don't know, but CAA is still the place I prefer to go.

And yeah I knew people who took anime religiously serious. I couldn't relate to this.

Just like any thing, I'd like to think that I'll always be interested in anime. It's an medium of story telling, and I can't imagine a time when I wouldn't watch a good story which was told via Anime-- just as I enjoy movies, books, ect.

For around seven years I had a real devotion to it and thought I never would get tired of it, but things started to die out for me lately. Perhaps it is the fact that it went mainstream. Maybe it is just a slump, but I can go into a Best Buy and see nothing I want to pay $20-$25 for any more. My classics in anime that I have not sold off are 12 series and a handful of movies and OVA. Lately I've gotten into Korean cinema, Japanese live action movies and the like.

I don't know what makes some people get tired of it and others keep going, but anymore the only thing I'm interested in is the occasional anime movie from Japan and hoping Funi does a good job with Shinchan so I can get a subbed version. Australia has a decent dubbed version, but it's not the same as dubbed.

[ClosetOtaku]

I started watching anime in 2000. By 2002, I thought I'd seen pretty much everything that was worth seeing, and my interest waned.

In mid-2003 I began watching again, and in early 2004 Haibane Renmei pretty much sealed the deal: I was once again an anime devotee.

I'm pretty selective about what I watch, and I'm now branching out to other Japanese (and Korean) cinema as well as manga. I'm also planning my fifth visit to Japan (going north this time -- Hokkaido), the first four of which I probably would not have taken had it not been for my re-interest in anime.

But I would guess among all those reading and commenting, only one or two of you at most will continue to enjoy anime five years from now. Anime is about transformation, and has a special message for younger people -- one that a lot of older folks are either too distracted or too jaded to enjoy.

And the distractions are many (job, family, other hobbies), and anime just doesn't give you that "bang for the buck", especially because it is so hard to share.

So... if it fades and comes back, from experience, I'd say you'll enjoy it twice as much. If it fades and never comes back... well, you'll find something else that will make you forget (or you will dwell on it nostalgically).

And, of course, don't forget C.S. Lewis' "Law of Undulation" -- your tastes and appetites for various things come and go, in long or short cycles depending on the topic -- I've found the best way is not to worry, go with your interests at the moment, and never regret leaving behind something you've momentarily lost interest in -- if you return to it (or it returns to you), I think you'll find it is often sweeter the next time.

[Kaligraphic]

It's just a form of entertainment - while I may enjoy it, it is not my life.

As such, I just don't worry about it any more than I worry about liking boiled carrots. Sometimes I want it, sometimes I don't, and it doesn't change my life either way.

[MyrrhLynn]

I also image that a great deal of "loosing interest" could involve when you aren't in the loop enough to know what's REALLY good out of all the mediocre stuff that comes out every year. I know when I'm not regularly near anime information I get less interested in it.

I think I was way more into Anime when I had cable. I agree that it really depends on how involved you are. If I haven't heard anything about a series I won't bother seeing it rather then risking it being mediocre. Honestly though I think anime is getting better and better (especially in reguards to the animation itself). There are still plenty of good shows coming out now. If you are looking for a new series to try out why not check the CAA review section?

[mitsuki lover]

Actually I think what has happened is that over time I have slowly narrowed down to what anime I WANT to watch as opposed to just watching anything anime-related on tv.
I also think starting my own DVD collection has changed it so that I'm more interested in collecting my own anime than just watching passively what's on cable.

[TriezGamer]

I'm not nearly the otaku now I was a year ago, and not nearly then what I was 5 years ago... So, yeah, it does wane, but that's because I realized anime isn't all that special... Animation is just another storytelling medium, so I can enjoy movies and anime the same...

This is better than anything I could have put into words. Get out of my head!

[TurkishMonky]

i would also agree -but it seems that when i am much more into things when i don't have much time for it, and have to wait to spend time on it, like "ok, friday i'll have time to sit down and reat the next volume of that manga," etc. when i have a ton of time to spend on a hobby, it usually gets boring again.

[Arnobius]

It was also easier in the old days when it was possible to buy all the new releases before anime hit mainstream. Nowadays you have to be rich to get all the weekly DVD releases, but when anime first jumped to DVD. There could be maybe 3-4 anime dvds a week to buy, now there almost seems a glut of anime out there.

[Allegro]

And, of course, don't forget C.S. Lewis' "Law of Undulation" -- your tastes and appetites for various things come and go, in long or short cycles depending on the topic -- I've found the best way is not to worry, go with your interests at the moment, and never regret leaving behind something you've momentarily lost interest in -- if you return to it (or it returns to you), I think you'll find it is often sweeter the next time.

That's definately something to consider and I suppose the "cycle of interest" might be the case for most people. I also think there are a few people who hold fondly towards anime as a hobby, of which is a vehicle for the other "sub-hobbies" that relate to it (cosplaying, fanarting, fanfiction, etc). But I am certain that whatever result of anyone's fading\gaining taste will be something to look back on in years later and will be a good reflection towards how much fun you had with it.

It was also easier in the old days when it was possible to buy all the new releases before anime hit mainstream. Nowadays you have to be rich to get all the weekly DVD releases, but when anime first jumped to DVD. There could be maybe 3-4 anime dvds a week to buy, now there almost seems a glut of anime out there.

At least when there were titles on VHS, there existed the problem of choosing if you buy a "dubbed" or "subtitled" version (of which DVD's solved the issue). I guess I started my fandom at around that time when VHS editions were still available and that anime hadn't hit the level of popularity than it is now (though I would say that it's still in a niche market).

I guess I too miss the slower pace of anime and manga when I started out. There were things you had to special order in stores, as well as to carefully look out for the release dates of certain titles. The saturation now makes it harder to find a series that stands out, whereas (I believe) most anime several years ago were carefully chosen to reflect what was going to sell among the smaller proportion of fans that existed back then.

[Gypsy]

OMG0rZ! You guys don't like anime anymore?! I'm so banninating you all!

My fandom seems to go in cycles, and it usually slumps right after I watch a very good series. After watching 8 dvds of FMA ... trying to watch Gungrave doesn't work. I totally understand what AnimeHeretic was saying - after you pick through all the released titles, then you look up fansubs and watch everything worth watching before it's translated ... you hit a bit of a brick wall for a while. My problem was solved when I suddenly became poor and could no longer buy anime or manga whenever the whim hit me - now there's lots of series that I want to watch/read and I'm back to being a happy little fangirl again - only poorer, so I have to choose carefully.

And Allegro, you have a point too. Maybe we're just getting besmothered.

[Mangafanatic]

It was also easier in the old days when it was possible to buy all the new releases before anime hit mainstream. Nowadays you have to be rich to get all the weekly DVD releases, but when anime first jumped to DVD. There could be maybe 3-4 anime dvds a week to buy, now there almost seems a glut of anime out there.

Yeah, the market is oversaturated, IMHO. Give it a little time, however, and I think the market wil shrink again. Even dedicated otakus can't afford to keep all the products on the market afloat. I predict that in four or five years, we'll see a return to more of the normal buying trends (a.k.a. A more concerted effort to buy only that which is the cream of the crop, rather than licensing every obscure little title that comes along.) I figure the same thing will happen with manga, too. There are plenty of wild card manga titles that are being licensed like crazy that are no doubt loosing a great deal of money for manga companies. Not to mention the fact that the number of titles causes the release schedules to be much more slow and upset hard core fans. *mumbles something about Furuba and four months apart*

[Gypsy]

There are plenty of wild card manga titles that are being licensed like crazy that are no doubt loosing a great deal of money for manga companies.

Strongbad: Man, I hate loosing money!

[dragonshimmer]

Oh yeah, I can relate. I think I'm going on a good long nine month period. I think it's been nine months since I've watched anime, but I still enjoy the artwork and associating with people who are still actively enjoying it, like you guys.

I think what Closet Otaku says fits best. Real life jades older watchers and real life gets in the way, making it not quite as interesting. It's also a cycle. I quite honestly think my age has something to do with my decline in interest, and while it makes me sad, it's not the end of the world There are other things to enjoy.

[termyt]

Your fandom should continue to evolve much like everything else in your life.

When I started my anime hobby, I'd watch anything and everything I could. (OF course, this was back in the early 90's when there wasn't a whole lot of selection to choose from). I’ve been watching and collecting anime for over 15 years now and I am a lot more choosy.

I'm in the down tend of the cycle. There isn't a whole lot out there that interests me at the moment, but who knows when or if that will change.

[Technomancer]

Since we have an anime club at the university, and a large anime rental supply nearby there's plenty here to sustain one's interests. There are also at least a few grad students as well as non-students who attend, so even leaving school isn't the end of watching anime. I've never been a fanatic about anime mind you, I just find it entertaining and am occasionally able to find some really great stories. There are plenty of other things that interest me as well, so I'll pursue them too when the mood strikes.

[mitsuki lover]

I have a list of 50 or 51 series(51 if you count Samurai Champloo that isn't on the list)that I would like to add to my collection.It's interesting to compare what I buy with what I actually watch on tv.

[DrNic]

Have you guys ever felt that your anime fandom might be dimming or decline as time goes by? I am sure many of you have had peaks where you were really into anime\manga, but eventually find a point in your life where it wasn't as high as it used to be.

I guess with me being busy with college, as well as work, my anime watching is starting to get less and less frequent. Anime is great and has certainly made an impact entertainment-wise, but I am finding out more and more that eventually it will eventually dim out for me. I am still interested in a few series here and there, but eventually I will need to take a break from the stuff to reorganize my other hobbies and priorities.

Can anybody relate?

You read my mind. I can relate cuz the last anime movie I saw was half of Princess Mononoke 3 MONTHS AGO!! 'gasp'

It's pretty much cuz I'm tied up with college and my main passion is music so I'm using my spare time listening to it and writing it. I'm sure I'll get into it again soon though (I've been wanting to buy Castle In The Sky for ages but can't find it anywhere on DVD so I'm still on the lookout).

[Arnobius]

At least when there were titles on VHS, there existed the problem of choosing if you buy a "dubbed" or "subtitled" version (of which DVD's solved the issue). I guess I started my fandom at around that time when VHS editions were still available and that anime hadn't hit the level of popularity than it is now (though I would say that it's still in a niche market).

I guess I too miss the slower pace of anime and manga when I started out. There were things you had to special order in stores, as well as to carefully look out for the release dates of certain titles. The saturation now makes it harder to find a series that stands out, whereas (I believe) most anime several years ago were carefully chosen to reflect what was going to sell among the smaller proportion of fans that existed back then.

Heh... I remember the VHS days... I guess my first sign of how deep in I was was when I went to buy the movie "This is Spinal Tap" and out of pure habit asked the clerk at Suncoast "Do you have this subbed?."

The demographics have changed too. It used to be the titles were more mature back then (for good or bad) and everyone was looking for the "Next Akira" and people actually tried to use Perfect Blue as the followup to Mononoke. Now the target age is substantially lower.

[eva-boy7985]

Mine most certainly waxes and wanes depending on what's going on in my life at the time. For example, like two years ago around late winter, I bought like 7 series within a little over two months, and probably watched an average of around 6 hours of anime per week (a lot at least in my opinion). Not long after that though, I leveled out quite a bit. Nowadays, for the most part I might watch a couple hours worth every few weeks or so. This of course in my case is due to being in college, working, finances, and also just having other hobbies/interests to keep me busy. As of late though, my fandom has spiked a fair amount since I went to Sakura Con in Seattle a few weeks ago, and am also making efforts to finish buying DVDs for series that I need to complete (Ai Yori Aoshi, Ai Yori Aoshi Enishi, Cowboy Bebop: Remix, and I just got all of Kiddy Grade R1 off eBay for a little over $50!) I think when a hobby fluctuates like that, it's a fair sign that you're approaching it from a healthy perspective, and not becoming over obsessed, but those are just my thoughts on the matter! Live on my otaku brothers and sisters! \m/ >.< \m/

[CookinLikeSanji]

I believe I can retain my fandom quite easily...

I'm an avid anime watcher/manga reader, not only that but I absolutely love going to cons and cosplaying. So I really don't see my love for anime diminishing anytime in the near (or far) future.

[Kkun]

My fandom most definitely comes in cycles and won't be back again until the next Gundam Seed DVD comes out. Anime, to me, is just like any other movie, though. My anime DVDs sit on my shelf next to all of my other films, so they aren't anything special. Because they aren't anything really special, I don't generally take notice of whether I'm in an up or down mood for anime, anyway.