Happy Anime Day to all of you who love this form of entertainment. Today marks International Anime Day, a date that commemorates the birth of Osamu Tezuka, the creator of the classic anime Astro Boy. Tezuka is undoubtedly a mangaka who has had a huge influence on new generations, as he inspired countless new creators to craft their own stories in the form of anime or manga.
I think there’s no doubt that for those of us who are a bit older now (those of us born in the ’90s), back then watching anime or reading manga was something only “nerds” did; many of us were teased or made fun of for watching anime. But since anime went mainstream, all that teasing has turned on its head, as those of us who love anime are no longer seen as weird or eccentric.
I think it’s wonderful that there’s a day when anime fans around the world can celebrate this beautiful art form that has undoubtedly shaped generations (and will continue to do so) with its fantastic stories or those that invite us to reflect on life. What was the first anime you ever watched? What was the anime that got you hooked? Because I think those are two different things—or they might also be the same thing.
I’m amazed at what anime and manga have become on a global scale; it’s undoubtedly an international phenomenon. It’s no longer a niche for a small group of people, and honestly, I love it. Although there are certain things I don’t agree with—for example, I’ve noticed that many celebrities have recently come out saying they watch anime and are big fans. I don’t know, they don’t usually inspire confidence in me; I think they’re trying to win over a segment of their existing audience or attract new followers.
It’s worth noting that this celebration takes place internationally every November 3rd—since that’s Tezuka’s birthday—but I wasn’t able to post about it until today; I’m sorry about that. Here in the city where I live, I haven’t seen any Comic-Con events scheduled for this weekend in connection with this day; however, I saw that in other countries, some people cosplayed as their favorite characters, which I always think is wonderful. I really enjoy seeing people cosplay because I think about the effort and work it takes to do that.
I’m not going to get into debates about which is the best Shonen, Seinen, Shojo, or any other category of anime—I think there’s anime for every taste, and that all of them can teach us a lesson or simply entertain us. In my case, I watch anime because it shows me the infinite possibilities that exist and that the imagination is inexhaustible.
What anime would you recommend to someone who’s never watched any? That’s a question I often see on social media. In this case, I’d like to hear about the weirdest anime you’ve ever seen or any recommendations you’d like to share.
