What is anime?

We live in a world full of distractions. If I don't want to study, there are many other things I can do to entertain myself. People watch movies, TV shows, video games. I read manga. To a lesser extent, I play video games. On several occasions, I've 'lented' this combination as it took me away from my studies and work. I found myself, upon all instances of frustration, to turn to things like that to get me through the day. However, it is important to recognize what that does...

Addictions

This word is thrown around fairly easily these days, but it is essentially something that one relies on to get through. Yet some addictions are deemed better than others. No one thinks too much about someone stuck on anime, drama or video games as ways to 'escape' from the blandness of normal life. I was once faced with the possibility of purchasing a Nintendo DS. Why not? Long commutes in Toronto. I can entertain myself while waiting for the bus. Why not?

But I was convinced to reconsider. If life is exciting all the time, where would real-life fit? You'd rather withdraw into your DS world (or MP3 player. or iTouch. etc). Isn't this why we watch movies? I commented briefly on this on an earlier post. But everyone else is doing it...movies and video games are huge industries these days. Why not?

Generally, society disapproves people who relies on alcohol and other substances to escape from the mundaneness, blah and the pain. So...what is the difference between drugs and anime? Of course, it is obvious that drugs have more of a health implication than anime does...but the bottom is...what do you depend on? What can you live without? As Christians, we're called to be dependent on Him only. But in our daily living, what else are we depending on? What something does to us is as important as what it is.