Every December, I spend a lot more time with my family than usual. There’s Christmas, my birthday, John’s birthday, and my mom’s birthday all in one week!

Although home for me is just a thirty minute drive from where I live now, mentally it feels quite a ways away. Back when I lived at home, I was always really embarrassed of my interest in anime. When I was trying to prove to my parents that I was a grown-up, cartoons from Japan felt like a pretty childish hobby to have.

I was always nervous that my parents and sisters judging me for liking anime so much, but in reality it was all in my head. Even though I did some pretty embarrassing weeaboo things as a young teenager. Anime merchandise was expensive, so I drew pictures of the Gundam Wing pilots, often shirtless, and taped them around my room. I sang along to anime songs on car rides. My parents, wisely, refrained from commenting on any of this, probably to avoid encouraging me. And while I never grew out of anime, I thankfully grew out of doing stuff like that!

Short of my dad’s childhood love for Speed Racer, they didn’t—and don’t—pay much attention to it because it wasn’t something any of them found interesting. I remember once bringing a college boyfriend home to dinner who cracked a joke about my “weird” predilections, and how stupid I felt when the rest of my family laughed at it. I guess I didn’t think they’d really noticed! Of course, now that I’ve married another anime fan, those conversations are over.

My in-laws are pretty much the same. It’s interesting to hear my father-in-law’s West Virginia drawl juxtapose with his reference to “that anime stuff you guys like.” Like with my parents, for them it’s just another unfathomable thing the kids are into.

I’m bringing this up because I’m curious about other anime fans’ experiences. Were your parents disapproving? Confused? Did they start watching anime as a result, like this otaku mom from r/anime did? And if you’re a parent yourself, how do you plan to share your interest in anime, if at all, with your kids?

Screenshot via Kill La Kill.