Do you remember the first ever time you truly felt a connection to something in an anime? Was it a whole show, a character, a scene, or perhaps it was just a single line? One moment I remember vividly, was when my grandmother passed away. It was the first time in my life I really had to grieve, and there were so many emotions I didn’t quite know how to process it all. It was then a few months later that I got to see “Summer Wars” for the first time… and it was only then that it truly hit me. Seeing the way this enormous family functioned together, laughed together, cried together under the caring watch of a loving grandma with such an eerie reflection of my family that I held dear… it resonated with me so deeply that it actually brought out the emotions I didn’t quite know how to process before. That was the moment for me. The moment when you weren’t just watching someone else’s story on screen. You were living it. He had lived it. You wanted to live it. Part of it resonated with a fiber of your being, and for a moment you felt a personal connection not to some person, for something intangible that you were watching. After I felt that for the first time, anime sees being something that could just entertain me, but something that could also connect with me on an unspoken level that no person had ever done before. *cute anime sound that I don’t understand because there’s no subtitles* ;-; What got me thinking about this recently was when I got to see “A Silent Voice” in cinemas, which I absolutely adored. It’s rare to see something that feels so intimate and familiar, yet tackling very difficult issues in such a grounded and personal fashion: suicide, social anxiety, bullying, disabilities, depression, none of these are played as anything overly dark, dramatic, or tragic. It’s just portrayed as real. Which they are. As while touching on these tough themes, it manages to convey some of the most tender hearts warming moments in life you get from finding the close friendship and reconnecting with people from your past, because that’s just the way life is. Some days are fine, some days are not and there’s no on/off switch for these kinds of things. You don’t have to experience a tragic loss to feel like your world is falling apart, you don’t have to be in the middle of an epic story to feel like life is crashing at your feet. Sometimes you wear a mask because you’re not ready to let the world know that you’re not doing okay. And the people in your life you can seem the most fine, are sometimes the furthest thing from it. It was such a raw, delicate depiction of the most joyful and cruelest moments a person can go through, and the amazing thing I felt while watching this film is that you realize the smallest tragedies can come if you just let life play itself out. Seeing something like this always leaves me feeling warm, even if the topics explored weren’t exactly pleasant. It’s like a cathartic realization that someone else out there gets it (gets you), and it doesn’t have to be any big emotional moment… sometimes it’s just a mood, an atmosphere that has a familiar scent to it. I left the movie with this heartfelt nostalgic feeling, like coming home after a long trip and tasting mom’s home cooking for the first time in forever. It’s this feeling, this connection that I managed to experience more so in anime than I do anywhere else, and it’s not just the shows or movies that come out, but also the people surrounding it. I can’t tell you the amount of times I’ve met a person in this community he deals with similar issues that these characters have to live with on a daily basis. No, it’s not always dramatic, and no it’s not always the people you think it’s going to be… but it is always so very real, and you’d be surprised how a medium can attract so many people with similar issues, thought processes and experiences growing up that goes beyond just a general interests of animation that comes from Japan. It’s like there is something quite different about anime that’s hard to put into words, but its appeal managed to attract certain people and while I can’t put down exactly what this is in a few sentences, I will say that no matter how different our tastes are, or varied we are as people, in order to like and appreciate some of the stuff we see coming out of this medium, we all have to be at least a little bit weird. Whatever that means. If someone were to ask me what my ultimate goals are with the videos I put out, people may think it’s to entertain or to be funny. But, in all honesty, is to connect. Connect with a friend, connect with a stranger, connect with someone I know, connect with someone I want to know. Connect with all sorts of people from all walks of life in places I would never be able to reach in my lifetime. Connect with you, and sometimes even connect with myself. Because that’s the biggest thing that draws me to anime. Of course when I talk about connection, it’s not always something you can relate to. A series can just as easily speak to the person you want to be, rather than the person you are now. Put thoughts you’ve had on screen like you’ve never quite vocalize correctly, or taken a subject and made you think about it in a totally different light. How many people have related to the mental anguish of the Evangelion cast, how many have been inspired by Simon’s actions on his hero’s journey or gotten lost in the world of a Ghibli film. The worst thing is, if we were to admit how intimately we hold some of these moments, some people’s first reaction would be to ridicule. Like being real as a weakness that makes you an easy target. How stupid is it for these dumb cartoons to actually have a personal effect on our lives. How sad and detached from reality we must be… but that’s just it. Some of us wanted that brief break from reality, and there’s nothing wrong in that. We built walls to protect ourselves from getting hurt, shut the gate and threw away the key because it’s safer to stay closed, protected from the cruel words of a fellow human being. But that’s why it was easier to connect to a story or a character or an idea, even if it’s cheesy and childlike. I always thought it was embarrassing when I looked back at my teenage self, connected to a character like Naruto in a simple adolescence when I could cheer for the underdog, because we saw ourselves as the quiet underdog. But now it’s not just a character who was there when I was a kid, but a character I’ve actually grown up with. And as we grew older and learned that the world wasn’t just a simple battle of good and evil, geniuses versus hard workers, I never stopped yearning for this same connection I felt as a kid. The more people I’ve met in this community, the more I realized that we’ve all found something that resonated on a deep personal level. And in doing so it’s given us an opportunity to connect with each other, which I couldn’t be more thankful for now that I found the friends I never did in my teenage years, when these animations were my closest connection. We complain and joke about the common trends and cliche we see all the times, but if you stop and think about it, this is one of the most varied mediums out there. Which is why if anyone explores it enough, they are sure to find something that speaks for them. There are the grand epic stories and bombastic gripping shows that grab the spotlight, but there are also very personal tales and crazy artistic ideas being thrown around. I mean where else can you say in one season you could be watching a show about gay ice skaters, or historic royal battle, witches is in World War two, butt wrestling, and a down to earth drama about dictionary making? It’s not always about writing the perfect story, or getting critical recognition. Everything has his own voice, its own story to tell, which could easily say something to you, because it’s easy to forget that behind the screen, behind every screen, isn’t a callous machine producing stories, producing animation, producing content. But it’s a person. Someone with their own thoughts, ideas and emotions they want to express. Like you. Like me. So look, if I had to sum up whatever points I was trying to make, we all go through this strange love-hate relationship with anime as fans, but beyond that, anime hasn’t only been there as entertainment. It’s given me the friends I could never find growing up, kept me company when I needed a distraction from life. Gotten me through some of my hardest times, resonated with all sorts of aspects of myself, brought a community together that I genuinely love, and it continually gives me the chance to meet and connect with new and amazing people that I never would have met otherwise. And when I think about it like that, it’s quite amazing really, and I hope to God it’s done something similar for you too, as you shouldn’t be ashamed to admit that. Because for me at least, that really is. *music*
R/iam14andthisisdeep
I only recently got into anime (I'm 22). like 2 years ago I saw non non biyori. The first anime I ever watched and I was really glad it was non non biyori. The stories are just so sweet. after that I saw Miss kobayashi's dragon maid which was also quite fun. After that I kinda stopped watching. Around 5 months ago I got back into anime thanks to r/animemes. I started off with Darling in the franxx.. spoilers? I know a lot of people didn't like the ending but I thought it was bittersweet. Movies or series NEVER make me cry. Last time I cried to a movie I was like 10. But the ending was so bittersweet that it actually made me cry.. Now I don't mean a single tear or something.. no.. I was full on crying… I was kinda shocked at myself that it genuinely made me cry… I watched quite some other anime since then but I havent had the time recently bc of uni and stuff.. But It kinda makes me happy that there is just so much more left for me to see.
When Lit Was In*
Me:Cry*
I never felt a connection to an anime or in real life. I hate life, i hate death, i hate society, i hate my country.
I am just agreeing to your philosophical musing. You do not need to include Kayo's first homecooked meal scene. Damn ninjas.
I am nothin' much at hand. A simple lad from a third world country, while yes, with some graceful things to my name, but nothing more otherwise. As a person who suffers with high functioning autism, depression, fuck knows how many other things really, anime is one of the few things that I can draw anythin' from. These characters, who go through so much, due to a simple misunderstanding, due to a simple decision made on someone else on the wrong path. These characters who go through bloody war sometimes, just for the sake of correcting it. It's sort of why I adore the Tenth Doctor, and even more than anime adore My Little Pony. The things these shows generate, are bonds that bring me back to a time when things were…better. Times when things made sense, and made me actually yearn for another day. I mean, while again I do have things to my name, other than that, what am I? Another faceless being? Though all these shows, are usually random lads and lasses, who become so much more after turmoil. Ten, Twilight Sparkle, Goku, Itachi, Naruto, Guy, Rock Lee, all of em, and so much more. It's why people like us indulge ourselves in these worlds, make friends of the characters, and fall in love with them too (romantically, and not). It's because they remind us of who we are, and who we hope to be.
to connect to the world, to connect the world, to connect yourself, to connect to yourself
anime is the only thing I know that makes me feel close to something I can call home, closer to life.
It brings out my emotions, it makes me be me
BOI THAT YURI ON ICE OST HIT DIFFERENT
Clicked for Cana
Stayed for the feels
I rate this anime reviewer 20/10
You're sooooo true gigguk. I'm literally crying after watch this video of yours. Thanks for reminding me tho.
For those who say giguk isn't serious 'bout life
Like, anime is great for all these reasons, but you cant forget the waifus.
What an amazing video 🙂 It finally put into words of why i like anime so much, for the connecting it creates between people and their experiences.
Hey guys, what's the anime where they're crossing each other's fingers while sitting in a garden, I can't see the faces…😖
Wow this is great
I Miss that first time when i discover anime. I don't know but every anime i watch now its something shit
I just watched this movie and I still feel like crying
I can't deal with the emotions u give me but still keep it goin
Mine was Colorful, the anime that just conected with me in so many leves after I tried to suicide, it helped me a lot with recovery, realyzing how much love is around you is soo important…
9 minutes holding the feels only to hear that koe no katachi ED song at the end and break in 2 seconds.
•́ ‿ ,•̀
you have to be a little weird to like anime, i like that, so true
I wish I could say that anime has connected me with other people… but it seems to do the opposite because I am surrounded by people that don't get anime 🙁
I am human because of anime.1:18 here i am crying again
Anime at 7:14.
Looks like a good one
https://youtu.be/VA45r2TUeVg
DAMN IT! WHY!
Fuck why did u use the silent voice theme i got so many goosebumbs
A silent voice touched me so deeply, one of the deepest connections I've ever had.
I want them to kiss in the end
Dat music ='|
Ah yes, I truly felt a connection to Yuno
Thank you very much, I saw A Silent Voice thanks to this video. Wow, it is one of the most beautiful movies I ever seen.
Thank you
This anime brout me closer to my girlfriend. She cant here that much.
Wait…what was that anime clip you played of a fox dressed like a human??
Icant sleep now cause of this movie😞😞😞
And this is why this video is sponsored from Dollarshave club!
Why it's suddenly raining in my room?
I just finished a silent voice, and I'm so fucking sad
this shit makes me emo wtf
A lot of comments here really reflect how people in general see emotion as ridiculous then push away empathy to the shame corner.
It seems hard to acknowledge feeling something and discussing it in non-mocking manner.
Thank you so much. When I watched this YouTube video I couldn't help but cry after watching this video and reading the comments it help me realize that I'm not alone that there are people out there just like me who anime help get pass their toughest time but to be honest regardless of what mean things other people might say to me or how alone i am this video helped me realize there is nothing wrong with me and that I'm happy just the way I am and I will continue to watch Anime even if it's the reason why I get made fun of at school
Thank u
Goddamnit I love you Gigguk
guess I’m gay now
And I love how you summed up everything I love about anime
It’s like, you can just read my mind easier than a book
Intelligence 100
It was wolf children…….that was that moment.👍🏽
Made me cry more than the ending of Angel beats
When I FELT Eren's rage in AoT. I cried at his hopelessness, and cried again when he transformed and FINALLY had the power to crush titan skulls.
Listening to this honestly bought a tear to my eye because its so true how anime is more than cartoons, art and little stories. Its that connection, that escape and for me at least that hope it gives you that the world can and is so much better and its simply inside us, we just need to allow it to come out.
I wish I could erase my memory of A Silent Voice so I could relive the sadness and joy I felt when I first watched it.
Over two years old and I'm still crying everytime I see this damn video
When Gigguk watches 20 Slice of Life anime in a row
Using Yuri On Ice music… damn, this got to me
Dang, people with long sad stories. I would like to say, hang in there. I’m amazed that this video has affected many in a good way that shows their true hearts. I feel, that this is one of the greatest things anime has done for its community.
what a fucking masterpiece this video is, thank you
(and thanks to the french subtitler too)
And this, is why I love anime, moments like these when you can get lost in another characters life, feel like you have experienced what they have, you feeled what they feel. People can hate on anime all they want, but anime can be beautiful.
why?
This is what I love about anime .
This video is what I needed today thanks
Anime is love , Anime is life
This video is underrated!
Honestly, i don't really watch anime, yet here I am
True words and anime is still a perfect medium for people who just love it.
As an older anime viewer, I feel myself becoming more detach to all these "important lessons" given in the stories, cause I have seen so much anime. It just becomes a dull noise and less and less impactful. It sucks.
You preach it brother……
I didn't shed a tear on this video, why the fuck are you guys crying?
Gigguk,… Thank you…
Giggiuk can have you on the floor gasping for air or he can have you on the floor gracing tissues
I'm not here for entertainment anymore, I'm just here to pay respect whoever work in Kyoto Animation! :'(
what anime 4:30
I'm hear after watching it T^T
this movie hits close to home and many watching in the audience
RIP KyoAni…
How did I ended up crying
The music and animation had me completely enveloped and music made me cry and I just watched it. I will show my kids this movie and show them what true culture is. I love this movie and I love that all of you do to
The AE86 drifting
Its only been 6 months since i turn into a otaku… in these 6 month i cried.laughed.got angry. And more and more emotion things.. and all of them were thanks to anime…. people in my family and friends think anime is just a lame cartoon that some cute boys or girls are trying to hit on each other… but u know its not true….anyway…. anime changed me in only 6 months and i like this change ….
Simply beautiful
8:16 anime name plz
For me I connect to the main character of your lie in April
Anime is the only thing that can make me cry like a little girl, especially Your Lie in April and Violet Evergarden
By giving us JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.
That hit hard, really hard…..
U made me want to connect
i love this video and what you said, thank you.
shame i will never be able to truly enjoy or love anything, i've always felt and always was just a bystander to my own life.
Just watched this after a friend recommended it to me (the movie he talks about not the video) then I found this and omg this movie made me cry the for first time ever during a firework show which I love so so much
Damn this just brought me to tears
Those were some very heartfelt words that was moving and inspiring at the same time
Im sure it resonated with most of us
It is indeed a beautifull thing that anime has done
I can't recall how many times I stood fistpumping towards the sky watching naruto with tears rolling down my tender cheeks like a waterfall back then
And still do so to this day as I watch the likes of Space brothers and A place further than universe, trying my hardest to keep my emotions contained and yet every so often a tear or two would slip by…
Reminding me once again that the years gone by has atleast left some things untouched
And I'm grateful it did
I say clickbait
Remove that photo and replace it with a crying warning 😭
Honestly for me it's not really anime being real, for me it's Anime being real by not being real, because let's face it, in reality we don't have to overcome our problems, don't have to show them to anyone or understand them. I should know, I'm hiding my emotions, my fears, my problems for years now, from everybody. I don't know if anyone has noticed them yet… I think at least somebody should have noticed by now, but at least till now no one and nothing ever really forced me to deal with them. In Anime it's different because most of the time it's exactly the moment at which people change, when they have to face their problems and emotions, that we see. Anime forces people to show and deal with their real selves and sometimes I wish we could live in such an honest, such a "real" world.
Anime 07:14 ?
Imo i like I want to ear your pancreas more than A silent voice
hears that opening koe no katachi piano track yep, this is gonna be a feels ride
T h a n k Y o u
good to meet u fam
Meanwhile I'm watching "Kimi no nawa"
My emotions : "aah shit. Here we go again"
Rozen Maiden… Season 2. Suigintou had me captivated at the end.
Damn, looks like you’ve made me cry
Came here to find out Gigguk’s thoughts about Silent Voice. Didn’t expect to hear his thoughts about my Anime watching habit. What surprises me even more is that he is bang on.
…
Damn
I was waiting for him to shit on eromanga sensei
I came here to get the name of the anime that the dragon girl is from and instead got the feels