I have a secret, that isn't that much of a secret.

I do like a lot of other things besides video games. I do like to go out with friends. I like karaoke(even though I'm not a great singer). I used to take martial arts and one day will take it again. I like music a lot and will go see some live shows from time to time. I like eating yummy foods. I like going out for drinks. I like learning about new things that interest me. I'm the kind of person who get sucked into the internet for hours because I found something new I wanted to learn about it. I also like comics and cartoons. (I like some SciFi shows/movies, but there's few that I do enjoy.)

I want to talk about my interest in comics and cartoons. I generally don't like to admit that I like comics and cartoons. It's mostly because of the stereotypes. I prefer Japanese anime and manga over others, but I don't limit myself to one or the other. The stereotypes I have a problem are as follows:
-Watching cartoons are childish
-Watching anime means you like violence/sex
-You must like to dress up as characters
-You must be a nerd
-You must not have other interests
-You must like all of the series that are on TV

I don't dress up. I do have other interests. My life does not revolve around when the next convention is or watching all of the latest series. I don't watch most of the anime that you see on TV. I don't like to talk about anime or comics with people who don't know what I'm talking about. Most of the Japanese series I do read/watch are comedies, romance, slice of life, and/or series that make you think. I'm interested in the stories, the characters, and their relationships.

A lot of people would probably enjoy cartoons as much as they enjoy reading books or watching TV shows if they could only get over the fact that it's drawings. Over time it seems that we are slowly realizing that animation is just a form of expression. It still feels like it is taking a long time to get over the stigma that animation is for kids. Video games face the same issues, although I feel video games has become a lot more acceptable in the US. People have finally realized that it's a huge industry and more and more people are learning the joys of playing games. I can openly admit that I like to play video games, without someone assuming there is something wrong with me.

As long as the stigma exists with animation, I will continue to keep my interest in it more hidden. I could never hide it forever, but I don't choose to flaunt it or talk about it when I first meet people. I prefer people to get to know me first and see that I'm just like them. Once they see that then I can tell them about my animation interest and show them that not all of the stereotypes are true.