5 Lessons I’ve Learnt From Anime

By Zarat.

When you say ‘Anime’ to people, they usually think of epic action scenes and unconventional story-lines. While those are enjoyable aspects, I have noticed some other things as well. Anime has taught me a wide range of things that applies to all walks of life. So I decided to talk about the main lessons I have learnt from some of the anime I’ve watched and hopefully you’ll recognize a few of them as well!

1. Fighting Against Oppression and Fear (Featuring: Attack on Titan, The Promised Neverland)

A common theme in Shonen anime is fighting against a bigger threat and trying to regain the freedom they try to take from you. Attack on Titan does this through Isayama’s post-apocalyptic world, where Eren, Mikasa, Armin and other comrades take on the mission to take their world back from the Titans’ whose only motivation appears to just eat humans. Through the characters’ revelations and as the story progresses, I have learnt the importance to remain motivated and determined despite the challenges that are put in front of you. Isayama reminds us that people may try to limit you simply because they are scared of your potential. I have learnt that in a world that is cruel, it is up to us to find the beautiful part.

"I just keep moving forward... until my enemies are destroyed” - Eren Yeager, Attack on Titan.

The Promised Neverland advocates similar lessons as Attack on Titan. When Emma and Norman realize that the people that they have been looking up to have been raising them as pigs for slaughter, they teach important lessons of initiative and strategy and the importance of working in a team.

I loved this anime for reminding me that if you work diligently towards a goal, you’ll be able to see the results.

“Don’t think you can eat me. Don’t think you can serve me. Food? Merchandise? I don’t give a crap! I’m a human being! Serves them right!” – Ray, The Promised Neverland

2. Exploring the World Around You and Be Curious and Spontaneous (Featuring: Hunter x Hunter)

Another lesson I've learnt from anime (forgive the cliche) is that the sky has no limits. Meaning you should open yourself up to experiences that you may not have necessarily thought about. Through doing this you can meet new people and create epic relationships. A lot of anime share this common lesson, one in particular that has it at its core is Hunter x Hunter. Gon initially seeks out to become a Hunter to meet his father Ging, but he remains open to experiencing new things that aren't necessarily related to his main goal. Embarking on the Hunters Exam, fighting against mafia of advanced assassins and even a super-powered species of ants. What I love about anime is in its ability to go beyond boundaries that limit live-action television, it encourages you to break ‘boundaries’ in our own lives and pursue our curiosities.

“Leaping past the moments, and other things that never end Hunting for your dream!” - Hunting for your Dream by GALNERYUS from Hunter x Hunter

3. Being Selfless and Taking Care of your Loved Ones (Featuring: Fruits Basket)

Another thing that makes anime is so special is the well-crafted and inspirational characters that motivate us to become the best version of ourselves. Tohru Honda from Fruits Basket is a clear-cut example of this. In the face of adversity, still reeling from her mother’s death, she is still able to retain her sense of purity and innocence (while of course being ditsy, which is kawaii).

She is teased at school; pushed by people who she tries to help, and yet she remains selfless. What I love about her is the fact that once you see her personality flourish, you seek to be a better person. Anime teaches us that we will need to experience pain so that someone we love doesn't. We all know that this world is cruel, meaning that not everyone experiences happiness simultaneously- we may need to take turns, that is why the theme of sacrifice is such a popular theme in anime. Anime has reminded me that although we do need to fight for ourselves, we also need to fight for people we love- even if they contest it.

To truly love someone, is to always put their feelings before your own... no matter what." - Kyoko Honda, Fruits Basket

4. Going for your Ambitions even if People Discourage You. (Featuring: Haikyu!!, My Hero Academia)

Most shonen anime are guilty of having the typical, optimistic male protagonist. There is usually have a counterpart character that points out the flaws of the character, usually to discourage you. This often applies to real life, how many of us must stop pursuing a certain goal because we feared what people would think. Anime has taught me that we need to stop allowing people having so much control over our lives which overlaps with some of the previous lessons I have discussed.

Haikyu!! is a good example of this, where Hinata despite being short of both experience and height (sorry not sorry) in comparison to other volleyball players, still seeks to be the best. The character is essentially the embodiment of “reaping what you sow”. He experiments with different strategies, experiences failures and setbacks but is still able to face those challenges and face them while raising the spirits of others. This is an important trait as it reminds us that the only thing other people need is encouragement. Other than that, we should only focus on ourselves and our grind, it’s healthier for everyone.

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Shoyo Hinata, Haikyu!!

My Hero Academia emphasizes this also through Deku. The protagonist originally didn’t have a quirk and was degraded by even his childhood friends, however, he didn’t take his frustrations out on anyone. He kept himself to himself and became increasingly observant. Because of Deku’s kind-geared and hard-working nature, he was chosen as All-Might’s next successor. Anime has reminded me that if you remain pure in a world of injustice, good opportunities will come to you naturally.

“Don’t worry about what other people think. Hold your head up high and plunge forward.” – Izuku Midoriya, My Hero Academia

5. It is okay to want the simple things in life, be yourself and be unapologetic about it. (Featuring: Mob Psycho 100)

Sometimes, I feel guilty when I do not have a big “epic” goal that doesn't meet the expectations of people like our parents. There is way too much pressure, to have your life and the future sorted out. That leads to us becoming things that we don’t necessarily want to become, but we do it to please others. Anime has taught me the importance of simply living and seeking simple things in our lives.

An anime that teaches this, in particular, is Mob Psycho 100. The protagonist Shigeo Kageyama or ‘Mob’ has an Esper power that he’s urged to use for epic purposes by people like Reigen. However, despite his powers, Mob still isn’t satisfied as he is unable to gain the one thing wishes for the most: to be friends with the girl he likes in his class. He even strives to join his school’s athlete team in an attempt to impress her, he bewilders the people around him in his mission for the normal life of a middle schooler. Anime has taught me that while we strive to make our lives better for the future- we should't forget how to live in the present. We should take pride in the little things that we do to make ourselves happy even if they seem little to others.

“I made the decision to consider my feelings more. And you need to pick up things you feel are important.” – Shigeo Kageyama, Mob Psycho 100

Anime is so boundless and covers a variety of genres and character archetypes that collectively teach people fundamental life lessons. It was challenging narrowing them to 5 that resonated to me as I have learnt so many lessons even though I haven’t watched anime for long!

Thank you so much for reading and I hope you were all able to relate and/or take something away from this. Perhaps this encouraged you to revisit some anime and notice the ones that impacted on you.