“I was once weak, I was always afraid, I hidden my tears, but I kept on going, I kept on believing, I followed my heart, I found my courage, and I realised if I hadn’t believed in myself, then I wouldn’t have become the person I am today”
― Erza Scarlet (Quote from Fairy Tail anime character)

Bright colors have always fascinated me. People doing extraordinary things excite me. Since childhood, I have watched such scenes in movies and TV shows with wonder in my eyes.

After school, I’d rush to our old TV to watch cartoons—DuckTales, TaleSpin, The Little Mermaid, Tom & Jerry, Scooby-Doo, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Tintin, SWAT Kats, ThunderCats, and more.

One evening, my parents left me at our neighbor’s house, who had a color TV. After dinner, he let me watch cartoons and told me to sleep. But I stayed up, waiting for Swat Kats, which aired at midnight. I watched random cartoon shows until 12 AM, just to catch that episode. Unfortunately, my neighbor woke up, scolded me for staying up so late, and made me go to sleep. I missed the episode and went to bed disappointed.

School-Time Anime Craze

High school brought a new wave of shows—Dragon Ball Z and Pokémon. Pokémon especially spread like wildfire in our school. Even the most disciplined students couldn’t resist it.

A trend began: every day, students would draw a full-page Pokémon in their notebooks and share it with friends. I had a 100-page book filled with my own hand-drawn Pokémon.

Eventually, the teachers caught wind of this. They searched our notebooks, and if they found drawings, the punishment was severe. It was painful and humiliating. Even our class leader was caught. After that, Pokémon was banned from school.

But we didn’t stop. We talked about it secretly and traded Pokémon cards under desks. Other shows followed—Digimon, Beyblade, Bakugan Battle Brawlers. I couldn’t connect with Digimon the way I did with Pokémon, but Beyblade was a favorite.

When I started watching Beyblade, the heroes had grown into teens. The earlier pre-teen version had already aired. I still remember the team name: Blade Breakers. I admired those heroes and their spinning tops. The Bit-Beasts fascinated me. I even collected all four Beyblades bit beasts – Dragoon, Driger, Dranzer, and Draciel.

Before Pokémon, I had watched a few episodes of Cardcaptor Sakura. The wonder and awe I felt watching it paved the way for my love of anime. This show was somewhat different from others. The colour, animation style, everything was different & new to me. I didn’t know at that time that I would come to love anime so much.

College and Beyond

Even as my friends moved on from cartoons in college, I held on. I watched whenever I had free time. The rhythm of adulthood left little room for introspection, let alone anime. I stopped watching for several years.

But after college, life took over—education, job hunting, family responsibilities. I stopped watching anime for several years. Looking back, that gap feels symbolic. It marked a time when I was trying to “grow up,” to be responsible, to fit into expectations.

Return to Anime (2017 Onwards)

I resumed watching anime around 2017. My first series was High School DxD—an romantic comedy with mature themes. I enjoyed it immensely. The opening song still plays in my head. Although it’s mostly a harem anime, I loved the romance between the main lead characters. 

The relationship between Issei Hyoudou & Rias Gremory is the emotional core of the series. It begins dramatically—Rias saves Issei’s life and reincarnates him as her devil servant. But what starts as a master-servant dynamic slowly evolves into something deeper. Rias isn’t just a powerful demon; she’s vulnerable, protective, and emotionally complex. Her growing affection for Issei is layered with jealousy, pride, and genuine care.

Issei, for all his antics, is surprisingly earnest. His desire to protect Rias isn’t just about romantic conquest—it’s about proving his worth, standing beside her as an equal. Their bond strengthens through battles, quiet moments, and emotional confessions. By Season 3, the romance takes center stage, with Issei confronting his own insecurities and Rias revealing her true feelings.

Next came Sword Art Online. Every episode thrilled me—the fight scenes, the romance, the storyline. I watched all its sequels. You see, I especially like this kind of anime, because sometimes, I think it’s better to escape to an imaginary world and be the person you want to be in that world. This show does that exactly. It wasn’t just the action or the fantasy—it was the idea of living a different life, shaped by courage, connection, and purpose. I’ve watched this series countless times, and each rewatch reminds me why it captivated me in the first place.

Here’s a list of anime I’ve watched and continue to enjoy:

• Pokemon
• Dragonball franchise
• High school dxd
• Sword art online
• Konosuba
• Ouran High school host club
• Fairy tail 
• Boku no hero academia 
• Fate series
• Seven deadly sins
• One punch man
• Beyblade
• I have been killing slimes for 300 years and maxed out my level
• Komi can’t communicate
• Dr Stone
• Welcome to Demon School, Iruma kun
• Loner life in another world
• The Greatest Demon Lord is reborn as a typical nobody
• Avatar: The Last Airbender
• How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom
• Sakamoto Days & many more

In Japan, the term “anime” refers to all animation, so I have added other animated shows too.

Comedy, Culture & Connection

Konosuba blew my mind—I didn’t know anime could be this funny. It redefined comedy for me.

Fate: Apocrypha holds a special place in my heart. Because mythological character Karna from the Mahabharata appears as a character, and that’s one of the reason I started watching it. His final battle scene was truly awe-inspiring.

Though I haven’t watched every Pokémon series, I always rooted for Ash to win the championship and become the “Greatest Pokémon Master.” That dream came true in Pokémon: Sun & Moon. The final battle, the montage, and the theme song gave me goosebumps. My favorite battle? Ash vs. Paul—what a showdown!

I also have to specially mention Fairy Tail—this anime resonated with me on a profound level. Even now, whenever I hear its theme music composed by Yasuharu Takanashi, I get goosebumps. It feels like electricity surging through my body, igniting a sense of purpose and strength. At that moment, I feel invincible—ready to fight for my family and friends, and capable of achieving anything.

My journey has always been a little different. I don’t watch a series just because it’s trending. For me, there has to be a spark—some single point that draws me in. It could be a character, a theme, a moment, or even a soundtrack. Until I feel that pull, I usually hold off.

Of course, time moves on. Tastes evolve. And eventually, I may circle back to those popular shows. I have watched few anime movies too. I liked Howl’s Moving Castle the most.

Why Anime Matters to Me

Anime relaxes me. It brings joy, lifts my spirits, and helps me forget my worries – if only for a little while. In a world that often feels overwhelming, anime offers a space where emotions are vivid, dreams are pursued with passion, and even the smallest acts of kindness carry weight.

Japanese anime has a unique intensity. Characters chase their goals with relentless determination—whether it’s Goku pushing past his limits, Ash never giving up on becoming a Pokémon Master, or Deku embodying the “Plus Ultra” spirit. That energy is contagious. It reminds me that no matter how tough things get, there’s always a reason to keep moving forward.

Each anime I’ve watched has given me something meaningful.

• The importance of friendship and loyalty.
• The quiet strength of being there for family.
• The courage to overcome obstacles, no matter how impossible they seem.
• The resilience to pursue goals with everything I’ve got.
• The emotional depth to dream big, fall hard, and rise again.

Anime has shaped how I see the world. It’s taught me that strength isn’t just physical—it’s emotional, spiritual, and deeply personal. It’s about showing up, even when you’re scared. It’s about believing in yourself, even when no one else does.

Since 2017, I’ve watched anime exclusively in Japanese. There’s something about the original language—the cadence, the emotion, the cultural nuance—that dubbed versions just can’t capture. The voice acting carries raw feeling, and the expressions feel more authentic. It’s not just a preference—it’s a connection to the soul of the story.

My mother sometimes scolds me, saying I’m not a kid anymore. But she never truly stops me. It’s part of who I am. It’s helped me grow, reflect, and stay grounded. And I don’t plan to stop watching. Because every time I press play, I’m reminded of the person I want to be.

This is just a glimpse of my anime journey. I’ll write more in the future.

What About You?

What’s your take on anime? Has it touched your life in any way? Share your thoughts in the comments below—I’d love to hear your story.