How to Live an Anime Lifestyle

If you bebop to Yoko Kanno tunes every morning in the shower and visit a therapist about the end of Neon Genesis Evangelion, you may be more than just a casual anime fan. Here's how to incorporate anime into almost every aspect of your life.

Things You'll Need

• cosplay costumes
• manga and anime merchandise
• Japanese food
• Japanese language books

Instructions

1. Read manga (Japanese comic books). Many of your favorite anime series started as manga or have been adapted to manga, and it's much easier to enjoy manga on the train or in a coffee shop.

2. Start an anime club (see related eHows.)

3. Make your own anime by writing anime fan fiction and illustrating the story. Draw Anime. It's a great project to share with your anime club.

4. Collect anime artwork and merchandise. The variety and scope are mind-boggling, so you'll certainly run out of money before you run out of options.

5. Get involved with cosplay (costume play) and dress up as your favorite character. Cosplay can become a lifestyle unto itself.

6. Attend an anime-related convention, such as Otakon or Anime Expo. An anime convention can be a fun group activity for your anime club and a great place to show off your latest cosplay efforts.

7. Become a true Japanophile by taking classes about Japanese language, cooking and culture. Or, travel to Japan. Nothing will give you greater anime insight than a deep understanding of all things Japanese.

Tips & Warnings

• If your day job is cramping your style, consider an anime-related career. Two-hour commute getting you down? Pass the time in an anime automobile. Full-size versions of Speed Racer's Mach 5 have been built, so it isn't as far-fetched as it sounds.

• Most anime characters can handle themselves in a melee. Consider learning one or more martial arts, or at least watch lots of kung fu movies.

• Domestic bliss and dating success may suffer when you're living an anime lifestyle unless you find someone who shares your boundless enthusiasm.