Melsi

It’s fascinating to see how mediums can be manipulated. In this case, entertainment meant for children is stretched to include much deeper themes and issues that apply to adult audiences as well. I have a great respect for the animation studios and writers who weave the two genres together nearly seamlessly.

Many of my favorite animes have typically been the more gorey/violent ones. With these animes (such as Tokyo Ghoul, Attack on Titan, Elfen Lied, Future Diaries, etc.) there has been this element of realism that have arisen through the gore and violence. It seems to raise the stakes and make what these characters are fighting for more real and immediate — I want to see these characters win and when they don’t, I genuinely feel disheartened. Other animes that do not push the envelope do not affect me the same way. There’s a distance between myself and the characters/story, and I do not feel as involved in the narrative. The violence is key to connection. Seeing the true consequences of opposing these characters makes me feel like I apart of their worlds where punches are not withheld and anything truly can happen.

These books began to define the type of literature I sought out; I learned to embrace fear and see the intricacies of emotions these fears brought about. From the spooky imagery, to the chilling tales themselves, the supernatural became a real part of my reading habits and what I thought reading was. Reading no longer had to be academic with a set of questions at the end. Instead they could shape the mind in a thoroughly different way. This realization is something that all children should have the chance to experience as they wonder around their school libraries. I myself found different definitions of what reading should accomplish by trying new texts. Banning certain books only hinders this process for young minds.