Once upon a time, I rolled my eyes at the very thought of anime.

While slaving away at the Suncoast video store that I worked at years ago in Yorktown Mall, I’d fantasize about anime films and shows not existing, ensuring my release from the ill-fated task of ever having to arrange them in alphabetical order again. I hadn’t the slightest clue of what any of it was. For me, keeping away from all things anime was mostly a fear of the unknown. I had ignorantly discarded such things as a little too strange for my liking.

Then, weeks ago, my life changed forever.

A certain individual, who we shall refer to as “Sensei,” introduced me properly to the wide world of anime. First came “Death Note,” a dark and slightly disturbing series about a high school student who comes into contact with a powerful notebook that has the power to kill whoever’s name is written in it.

After seeing the first episode online, I spiraled into a rapid marathon, watching all 37 episodes with little time wasted in between. It’s one of the best shows I’ve ever seen.

But how can this be? I had sworn my allegiance to such domestic dramas as “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” and “Heroes,” and had denounced anime the day that I realized I was too embarrassed at the time to admit to my elementary pupils that I wasn’t hip to any of the happenings on “Dragon Ball Z.”

Still, no human being is infallible, and everyone is capable of reform. So, I have no problem admitting that, throughout all these years, I was wrong. Anime is not at all annoying or particularly off-putting, unless you’re as stubborn as I once was. I actually find it to be on a level all its own.

Watching it, or reading manga (which are printed anime cartoons), somehow generates a more profound appreciation for art, as the style of anime is usually the main attraction, instead of the outlandish humor and scenarios that take the spotlight in American cartoons. Of course, I’m speaking from a novice perspective who’s still seen little to nothing so far, compared to your average, well-established anime enthusiast.

However, when I find myself doing more reading from right to left than vice-versa, I know something is out of the ordinary. I’m currently on the fifth volume of the manga series “Bleach,” and am seriously considering subscribing to “Weekly Shonen Jump,” or catching up on the series “Naruto.” I do not yet know if I’m officially at the point of no return, but I already fear that there is no going back.

As remarkable as all these new discoveries are, I fear they will be damaging to my finances, and for that, I curse you Sensei! The last thing I need is something to spend more money on.

So my lesson to everyone is to take the saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” as literally as possible, because monetary woes aside, I think it’s a bit comical that I’m suddenly obsessing over something I convinced myself I would hate forever. Life’s funny like that.

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