Of Depth and Anime

Why Anime is Awesome

My Gorgeous Sara,

How lingers the moon beyond your window? I hope it shines bright and lights your night. I hope these words find you well, and just like the moon beyond, fill your night with more than just their presence; some of their essence perhaps; something beyond their existence. The message behind the medium, if you will. As for me, the rain gently falls outside my window as I write this. The drops on the rooftops beyond make this mildly hypnotic noise that makes me want to drift off to sleep and dream of you.

But finish this letter, I must. I’ve been looking for something new to sink my teeth into. Some new anime to watch. Something potent and exciting. But then, I was struck by a thought: Why do we love anime so much? What is it about the art form that is so enthralling that we look for more of it, over and over again. And, as is my fashion — as you probably know, It got me thinking.

I could pick each anime apart piece by piece and delve into what makes each a masterpiece in its own right ( Not that all anime are masterpieces, some of your recommendations are… let’s say… Interesting). No. I want to look at the species as a whole rather than at each individual specimen. And I want to talk about great anime.

Anime, I believe, is about emotion. From lovable characters to unforgettable stories to mind-blowing worlds, Good anime has the amazing habit of making you invested in everything. It’s the lovely mix of plot (Yes, actual plot), character and world-building that just draws you in like a vampire and never lets you go. From the deep, unforgettable characters of Naruto and Hunter X Hunter to the beautiful labyrinthine worlds of Made in Abyss. From the haunting darkness of Berserk (The original one not that CGI abomination )to the incomprehensible horror of Monster. From showcases of human failure in Kaiji to showcases of human triumph in every damned sports anime ever ( Yes, I will get to watching Kuroko no Basket someday). Anime brings together the greatest in humanity and packages it in a punch you’re unlikely to forget.

I could write about how racism, discrimination and slavery are tackled so well in One Piece . Or how the themes of friendship, camaraderie, and grit against all odds are embodied in Naruto. I could write about how Hunter X Hunter deconstructs the Hero and shows how dangerous naivete in the face of reality can be. I could write about how FullMetal Alchemist teaches the values of sacrifice and patience. Of how pain can mould us and change our views and perspectives. I could lay out the ironies of Overlord, a showcase of what true power really means in a world run by perception. I could write about how Kenichi is about determination when the cards are stacked against you. I could dive deep into the morality of Code Geass and Death Note, dissecting each to see if the ends justify the means. I could delve into the world of No Game No Life and write away about the beauty of partnership. I could write about a thousand more. The point, I believe is quite clear. Anime remind us about ourselves.

We see little bits of ourselves in the characters we root for, heroes and villains alike. We love the passion they embody, the way they shape the world around them with wanton abandon. Sometimes we feel for them and pity them. Sometimes we envy them. Sometimes we cry with them, other times for them. We feel the flames of passion as characters rise up to fight for their ideals. We share their losses as much as their triumphs. Anime is beautiful because inasmuch as it isn’t real, it very much is. It is deeper than we know. The presentation is just one layer of it. Everything else is where the magic happens.

You know I absolutely love your anime recommendations, I’ll be waiting. Also, perhaps, I’ll write you a little more about my greatest anime of all time. For now, I’ll listen to the rain beyond my window, close my eyes and dream.

Dream of me.

Yours,Always,

Lawrence

#Anime #Letters #Love