Ask John: How Do Fans Avoid Burn Out?

Question:
How exactly do you (and presumably others) remain interested with anime and manga after all this time? Now completing my 11th month in Tokyo, I have absolutely no interest in anime or manga whatsoever. Do you think that I have “matured” and no longer care about “children’s nonsense?” Could it be that I’ve lost some of my imagination and hence can no longer find anime or manga interesting? Could it be that the anime and manga itself is not interesting? You’ve been an anime/manga fan for decades now, yet still apparently find the subject matter as interesting as ever. What made you continue your love of anime and manga instead of giving it up long ago?

Answer:
I’m well aware that the reasons why particular people do or don’t maintain an interest in anime are highly personal and unique, so I’ll provide some personal anecdote and broad speculation, but I can’t possibly explain every situation and individual. Fundamentally I think that serious devotion to anime and manga, opposed to casual, passing interest, is motivated by an interest in speculative fiction and fantasy. People who maintain a lifelong interest in anime are those who have a genuine fascination with the art form itself rather than an interest in particular genres or styles.

I believe that some people have a natural predisposition toward imagination, creativity, and fantasy. I’ve personally been fascinated with fantasy for as long as I can remember. My oldest memories of literature involve picture books about dinosaurs, ancient Greek mythology, and Star Wars. As a child, I watched Battle of the Planets and Starblazers on television. I’ve grown up immersed in fiction and fantasy, so my obsession with anime feels like second nature. I’ve been a fantasy fan all of my life, so in a sense I was an “otaku” even before I knew that anime existed. I’m sure that there are countless other people like me who are either predisposed to creative arts or who immerse themselves in fiction and fantasy as a solace from reality.

If there are people that have a natural affinity with and attraction to anime, there are also people whose interest is more superficial. I don’t wish to insult anyone. I simply believe that there are different motivations for interest in anime. While some individuals may be obsessed with fantasy, others may be fascinated by creative art, or by the satellite characteristics of anime. People interest in creative art may find anime novel and unique. But as their familiarity with it grows, their interest may conversely decrease. Someone attracted to the visual dynamic and energy of anime may not apprehend the same feeling of discovery and uniqueness after the novelty of anime has worn off. Individuals whose interest in anime stems from it being underground, unusual, and counter-culture may find that anime no longer appeases the desire for uniqueness and individuality when anime becomes more mainstream, and increased familiarity makes it seem as though all anime are alike. For these people who are unconsciously interested primarily in the fringe characteristics of anime, interest may diminish with time and exposure.

The defining difference between types of anime fans may be between those who take from anime, and those who expect anime to provide. Individuals who fervently cherish anime take pleasure from it. I, for example, enjoy watching any anime regardless of its quality, age or genre. Certainly some anime are better than others, and some more appealing to me than others, but I’m such a fan of anime itself that I can appreciate the opportunity to watch even terrible quality anime. The best anime transports me into another world. Poor quality anime still provide an opportunity for me to analyze the way anime is constructed, and the literary and cinematic components that combine to create anime. However, I assume that there are also viewers who perceive anime as a medium that should entertain them. That’s a perfectly valid and logical attitude, but that attitude may lead to the viewer becoming jaded with recycled plots and characters or anime that doesn’t impress with creativity and originality. I’m a devoted fan of the art of anime, so as long as anime exists, my fascination with it will continue. There are also people who enjoy particular shows, genres, and styles. An individual may like 90% of all anime released, but when that individual exhausts that 90%, the person’s interest in anime may also expire.

I can watch similar romantic “harem anime” Tenchi Muyo, Love Hina, and Happy Lesson and appreciate each of their unique characters, quirks, and methods of story development. Other fans may perceive the three shows as clones and cite an uninteresting absence of creativity and originality in them. Neither approach is right or wrong, and neither more admirable than the other. Anime is designed to be entertainment, so individual viewers should continue to watch it for as long as it continues to entertain. I make a conscious effort to look for the unique distinguishing characteristics of every anime I watch. So I’ve matured into a curious and voracious anime fan. There are also individuals who naturally lose interest when anime ceases to seem unique, novel, and fascinating.

I think I’ve been able to remain an anime fan because I want to be an anime fan. I don’t demand that anime entertain or satisfy me in spite of my rational criticisms. I eagerly give myself over to anime and allow it to work its charm upon me. Not everyone is able to psychologically immerse in anime. There are countless people who don’t want to succumb to the influence of anime. And there are people whose tastes evolve. I don’t think that people outgrow anime, nor does anyone need to. The concept of outgrowing anime implies that anime is something childish that ought to be set aside as a step in maturing. But it’s natural for people’s tastes to change with age and experience.

Some fans lose interest in anime because they feel a social obligation to do so; because their attention naturally shifts to other subjects, or because their rationality doesn’t allow for the flexibility necessary to constantly perceive new anime individually and simultaneously contextually within the anime genre. Fans who see each anime as a new opportunity for entertainment constantly have more to discover and enjoy. Viewers who see anime as recycled trends, stock characters, and commercial kitsch instead of creative fiction are likely to burn out or lose interest in anime. The key to remaining a lifelong anime fan is genuinely wanting to be an anime fan.