I never know how to start a blog.
I guess I imagine a blog to be something akin to a diary - a place where you can just write without worrying about deadlines, or time limits. It's something you can write and re-write as many times as you want. It's somewhere you can write about meaningless things that have happened during your day to day life, or somewhere you can document your feelings about certain big events in life.
I'd never really considered writing a blog until my first year of university, when we were told we had to document our work as part of our course. Yet, even then, it wasn't a personal blog like the one I'm writing now - it was more a journey of how I developed my projects!!
I don't know who will read this, or who will care about what I'm writing about since I know many of my friends do not share the same interests as me. Yet, despite all this, I've decided to write a blog reviewing the various anime and manga I've seen and read.
Yes, I know - I'm definitely an 'otaku'.
An 'otaku' you say? The term is Japanese slang, and refers to someone who has a passion, or an obsession with something. I guess the English equivalent to the word would be an obsessive fan. It's generally seen as a negative connotation, however there are some (like myself) who just accept it and are proud of what they are, whilst others see it as a genuine insult.
There are also many different types of otaku, however I'm an otaku in terms of Anime (Japanese Animation) and Manga (Japanese graphic novels).
Ok. So, now that you understand I'm an otaku, it would also be the time to tell you that I'm slightly more than your average otaku. Whilst I enjoy the regular genres of manga (action, fantasy, horror, romance, etc) I have a particular interest in 'yaoi', thus terming me as a 'fujoshi'!!
Ahh - more words you don't understand? Let me explain...
'Yaoi' is simply the Japanese term for 'Boy's Love' - a genre in itself centring around homosexual relationships. Sorry to all the homophobes out there, but I love yaoi. I find the plot lines riveting and can't get enough of the awkwardness between the guys!! For some reason it seems to be more cute to watch than the romances between heterosexual couples.
'Fujoshi' is a demeaning term given to the female fans of yaoi, who also usually enjoy imagining what would happen between the male characters in anime, and sometimes even in real life.
By this point those who've kept reading are probably wondering if I have a life.
Yes, I am an otaku. Yes, I am a fujoshi. I know and accept this, and I'm not looking for people to criticise me for finding enjoyment out of the above. My love of anime and manga, however, is something I'm passionate about with all my heart. For anyone asking what else I have in my life my reply is this:
I have a close and loving family, a wonderful long term boyfriend, several large groups of friends and plenty of other interests in life inculding archery, music, sailing, skiing, reading and writing (among others). I got 13 GCSE's grade A*-C, gained 4 A levels in Maths, Photography, History and English Literature, and an AS in Physics. I'm grade 8 in flute, grade 5 in jazz saxophone and also play the piano. I'm currently in my second year of university studying Media Arts. I have a vague plan about what I want from life - places I want to go, things I want to do, a profession I want to get into. Some people have told me I'm a well-rounded person, and I believe this is true from my experiences in life. So those of you spouting nonsense about how lame I am for being so passionate about this hobby - I'm sure there are things you're passionate about in life too.
Anyway, the point of this post was to introduce myself to the few that read this, and to say that I'll be reviewing the anime and manga I've seen and read.
I apologise for prattling on: sumimasen... And thank those who've read to the end: doumo arigatou gozaimasu.
May good fortune reach you, whoever you are, and remember to keep on smiling.
Melissa xoxo
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