Does ANIME signify indolence and immaturity?

My love affair with animes began eons ago...
I started watching anime at the tender age of 6 (or was it 5?). I was rather peculiar around that age. Quite a forlorn little runt. I didn’t go out much, in fact. After school I rather stayed at home watching TV or maybe doing some reading and homework. This was how I was inadvertently introduced to anime series. Initially, the intent was rather puerile. Well, who can blame me? I was still a kid. I watched animes just to kill my time after school.

I still remember the very first anime series that I had ever watched was Magical Princess Gigi a.k.a Mahou No Hime Momo Minky. This anime was broadcasted on SBC's (Singapore Broadcasting Corporation) Channel 8 and it was dubbed in Mandarin. No, I don’t speak Mandarin but the reason why I understood this anime series is because it had English subtitle. In fact, this was how I learned my English. I learned English in a fun way hence I managed to acquire the language much quicker compared with my other counterparts at that time. Then, after that it was followed by Daimos, Mospeada, Moby Dick, Macross a.k.a Robotech , Voltron, Saber Raiser & the Star Sherrifs a.k.a Sei Jushi Bismarck and the list went on...

Gigi: How can you ever forget your first love...

However, this addiction of mine began to phase out a bit when I was in college, due to lack of sources. (nowadays, otakus are so darn lucky!) More often than not, the jam-packed schedule prevented me to practise my leisure pursuit. Well, that's the part and parcel of a student's life. I couldn't complain.

Soon after I graduated in year 2000, I began to rekindle my passion for animes. Nevertheless, at that moment I started to evolve and I learned to appreciate animes more as work of art. I began to identify anime as a Japanese modern visual art rather than some ordinary cartoons. I steadfastly believe that animes have more to offer than meets the eyes!

So, let’s get back to the initial question, does anime suggest indolence? How can one ask this kind of question is beyond me! Well, I believe the answer is absolutely no. It is absolutely ludicrous and downright nonsense. As you can see, every now and then I would love to pamper myself with a healthy dose of animes. I do this without interrupting my day job as well as my studies. I believe, they are more of escapisms rather that the sign of indolence. They are also my stress reliever after a hard day at work. In fact, in order to catch the latest episodes of any anime series, I learn to compartmentalize my day-to-day regime. So, if that is the sign of indolence, I beg to differ!

And animes are not an indication of immaturity, simply because they are like masterpieces that need to be ‘savoured’ and enjoyed and afterward analysed thoroughly. Hence I would take ample time to appreciate the art and then savour it one bite a time. It is the only way for you to appreciate and evaluate art masterpiece. Now, how can this be the sign of immaturity?

Well, I guess that’s my two cents regarding the issue. Having said that I am not ashamed to admit that at the age of 32 I still enjoy watching animes. And why not? Animes make me feel more complete as I learned how to appreciate modern visual arts and at the same time I learned to observe human personalities. What’s more I learned them in a fun way!