The very first anime I watched, before I knew what anime was, was Pokemon, and glimpses of DBZ from a neighbor of mine that had cable TV. However, this didn’t turn me onto anime. I wasn’t even old enough to make the stylistic connection. I just thought they were two shows that just happened to share in some visual motifs. However, later on I discovered Naruto—albeit later left unfinished—and my access to the Internet is what let me piece things together to know what “anime” was. And I met friends early on who were into similar media.

I thought to myself, it has to be no coincidence that every animation that has managed to amaze me due to its themes, increased detail or more complex shapes, and lack of reserve in exploring things through animation Western animation wouldn’t, has been “anime.” So, that’s when I went down the rabbit hole of anime and manga. Watched way more during high school, given the spare time, than I do now, but it’s still an important part of my life. Given anime’s greater likelihood of using silence and absence, and breaking from popular narrative structures, it remains a nice and welcome break from Western media. Especially these days.

I feel like Western animators’ increasing familiarity with anime as a subculture has already spelled some good things for Western cartoons, though.

I find myself often going back and forth between the two approaches. It depends on just how irresistible the show is.