So…where do I stand?
I’m gonna keep it 100 with ya, I really don’t know how else to title this, so the old phrase “The Novelty Has Worn Off” came to mind. I could go on and on about the first year that I started watching anime, and that my first ‘real’ anime experience came from Toonami’s first broadcast during the Moltar era. Yes, all of that is true, but now in 2026 I don’t really know where I stand in my relationship with anime.
For anyone who’s NOT pushing 40, you may have a much different experience. If you’re a Shonen fan, then you’re probably living in the best timeline right now; with Dragon Ball Super getting a remake as well as the Moro Arc FINALLY getting animated, to the Demon Slayer crew finally about to kick Anime Michael Jackson’s ass! If you’re new to the world of anime, that world is pretty much your oyster. Next year will mark 30 years since I became an anime fan, and although being a fan doesn’t have an expiration date, your perspective as well as your taste and opinions change over the years.
Look, I didn’t really even know how to title this, but maybe for me…the novelty might be wearing off.
Fan Overhype…
One of the reasons why I feel that the novelty has worn off for me at least…is Overhype. Unrealistic expectations is very common among the anime community, when it comes to certain shows. Honestly, I don’t really have a problem with the overhype of a popular show, but when you make the hype of that show your ENTIRE personality (and I know some of ya’ll do this), it gets annoying as hell! Like I get it, you really love the show and your passionate about it, DAMN!
You can’t say I’m biased, because I was one of those overhype fans when I found out Panty & Stocking was coming back after 15 years; especially when Jamie and Monica said they would “do the show right” if they returned. Well, ya saw what happened with that, right? Since I barely watch any anime anymore, I’m not too concerned about fan overhype in this day and age. So, if you like a show and wanna overhype it, cool with me. As for me…I’m good.
Anime Conventions…
Lately, I’ve been hearing some rumblings and I’m not talking about AOT. The landscape of anime conventions is so…SO different in the post-covid era. With everything becoming expensive, I already knew this was the case with anime cons–especially if you’re traveling to ones out of state! I don’t think the novelty for cons has worn off for me…but the community atmosphere is much different than it was in the 2000s. Many older fans like myself crave the nostalgia of what cons used to be, before they became all industry driven. Throw in the fact that there are cons out there, who are ran by individuals who don’t have the anime community’s best interest, or safety at heart. (Looking at YOU FanimeCon and Anime Matsuri!)
Which is why I’m supporting local cons around my area, and I think you all should too! I have no issues with bigger cons wanting to give fans a bigger experience, but ya’ll need to start hiring people who ACTUALLY care about the anime community and the medium as a whole, and not PROFIT off of it as a way to get rich quick!
I don’t know man…
Maybe in spite of it all; from the issues regarding the anime industry (especially Crunchyroll’s latest debacle), to age-old ‘fandom wars’, a part of me is still fighting to hang on to hope. Hope that things will get better and that I won’t feel like the novelty has worn off. Many of ya’ll may not feel that way, and think this is the best time to be an anime fan. If you do, that’s cool! Me…eh.
Alright, enough saddage for one day. Lemme bounce before I get depressed.
OG Founder!
Out!
