Animehead's Personal Info
Animehead's Personal Info
All of the info below is about 6 years old, Yes Agent Anime has been around that long, anyway here's a few updated notes to catch up. It wasn't so recently that I got done with my Marine Corps enlistment, I mean it seams like yesterday but I've got almost as much time in the St. Louis Air Guard now as I did in the Corps. Five years goes by like a blink of an eye. Anyway Anime has still somehow remained my main hobby, other than collecting Manga and anime figures and robots, and building PC's. I've got a kid now, an outstanding baby boy named Logan who's almost a year old now. I have actually completed my Otaku venture to Japan in Nov of 05', well if you call a week and a half in Okinawa and a day and a half in Tokyo. I went there for work and even though I worked alot I tried to so as much as I could. Much money was spent in way too short a time, but it was fun. I will definitely do it again soon, maybe even with my little Logan at my side. Gotta start Otaku out young. Even though there isn't an anime club anymore, I try to make time to watch anime with friends and family and I try to still encourage others to embrace and respect all Animation Japanese or otherwise and any art form that delivers such brilliance with openness. Long live Anime, and Long live Art, Culture, Understanding, and Patience. Thanks. Now read on for more good info about me and anime, alittle dated but otherwise good, I wrote it after all. Peace
Aaaahhh, where to begin?
First off, I was born June 20th 1976. I just recently returned from serving in the United States Marine Corps! (You can thank me later.) My main hobby is Anime; have been a huge anime fan since way back. I used to wake up early on Saturday mornings in the 80's to watch Robotech. (See article below). I love going to conventions and watching anime in large doses. Some would probably say I was addicted to it. I can think of a lot worse things to be addicted to - although drugs would be cheaper... that's a joke I saw on an anime bumper sticker. (Funny, huh? ) I would just say that I am an Otaku, meaning a fanatic, or really big fan.
I have never been to Japan but plan on going A.S.A.I.C (as soon as I can) to complete my true Otaku status, of course. I have a few friends in the Marines who are currently stationed there.
Anyway, my real name is Matthew Smith but my handle is Animehead. My wife's name is Becky. We enjoy anime together and want to make this club a success.
My biggest goal is to get people together who share the same interests and enjoy anime together, and hopefully, start attending different anime related events. I know it will be a lot of fun for everyone who attends the meetings and becomes a member. With all this in mind:
I hope to meet you soon.
Here is a little something more I thought that I needed to add.
A brief explanation of anime history for me. I have taken an
excerpt from the
book, Samurai from Outer Space: Understanding Japanese Animation, by
Antonia Levi.
This puts into words what I have been trying to tell people for a long time
about my interest in anime.
It is in reference to the Robotech anime series that played on American
television
in the 80's (that I watched almost religiously) and how it was the beginning
of anime in America (other then Atom Boy, Kimba the White Lion, and the
Star Blazers series).
Also, I would say Robotech, together with Transformers, Thundercats, and
Voltron combined, was what actually sparked my desire for more Japanese
animation.
"To the American
television industry, if it is animated, it is kiddie fare.
In fact, it didn't matter. Teens tuned in anyway, even at 7:00 in
the morning. They knew that what they were watching was different, special.
When they grew older, they found out why it was different, where it came
from, and they went looking for more. That of course, was the beginning of
anime in America. Well, one of the beginnings anyway."
Well, just as it says, maybe not for all Americans, but at least that's how it
started for me.
When I first read that paragraph in the book. I said out
loud, "Yeah! That's it...what I have been trying to explain to everyone
for so long!" Whenever someone would ask me, "Why do you like
cartoons so much?" or "How did you get into anime?"
I would always say, "I used to watch anime as a kid" (mentioning the
series stated above).
Their reaction would be like, "Oh, yeah, I remember
that," or, "That was Japanese?".
Like me, they didn't realize it was Japanese animation, but I realized that
it was something different and special. I love anime even more now than I
did as a kid.
There is more anime available in the US now than ever before,
with even more to come. This serious intercultural art form is definitely here
to stay.
I suggest every fan buy the book immediately. No fan is complete without it. It
is for every true Otaku.
You can buy it online at www.amazon.com along with other great books about Anime.
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