I find a lot of people like to say to me, “Why do you love manga and anime as much as you do now? You were never really into it before.”

To be honest, I was kind of forced into it again when boredom struck me during Dracula last October. I needed something to do when I wasn’t on stage, and my friend in the show had been bringing manga along with him, so I thought I’d try it as well. He was the only person I had to talk to and I figured it would give us something to talk about.

…roughly 11 volumes of manga later, I was addicted–hook, line and sinker. *_* I had read Dramacon (again), Princess Ai, Ranma 1/2 (vol 1), Fruits Basket (vols 1 and 2), Kamichama Karin (vol 1), and Wish (vol 1).

But I was happy. I instantly noticed a change in myself, and such a positive one that I knew I needed to keep reading. The stories in manga were so happy and cute, and they made me smile. Even the parts that were sad and made me cry made me happy, because I knew there was a reason that needed to happen. Most times, it timed out that it was a point that I needed a good cry.

The thing that really got me was the heart that was in each tale I read. Fruits Basket had the biggest message of all: kindness is a trait that all should cherish and embrace, and it makes me cry just thinking about it. Furuba (nickname) is the most beautiful manga I have read–no, the most beautiful story I have read. I loved reading the Twilight series, and they made me cry. (Note: I hate the movies.) I’ve read many a sentimental novel, but Fruits Basket really took me off to a wonderful happy place. A place full of inspiration.

I love manga and anime because they make me smile. They’re creative, full of love and something that I can fill my bookshelves with, knowing that I will smile a million times reading each volume again and again.

Since I started reading then, I have accumulated over 50 volumes. However, the joy I get from them heavily outweighs the cost. (In case you’re wondering, the cost itself for those was not horribly expensive. In all honestly, I’d say it doesn’t even hit $300. I only paid $4 or less a volume. :))

I’ve had so much stress these past couple months with my classes that these have truly helped me stay out of depression, as ridiculous as that sounds, but I’m proud of my newest love. Absolutely proud, and I think that, if anyone is looking for a new hobby, manga and anime are the way to go.

In the end, I have become an otaku.

…and I’m damn proud of it.