How Anime Quietly Shaped My Childhood
A personal perspective on growing up with anime, from Inuyasha and Yu-Gi-Oh! to Studio Ghibli films - and realizing anime had influenced my creativity, comfort, and identity all along.
Ivy Rey
5/29/20265 min read
Anime Was Part of My Childhood
I can’t really say when my love for anime began.
I never had a single moment where I discovered anime and became obsessed. As a kid, I just watched whatever caught my eye. I chose stories that let me dream, use my imagination, and feel all kinds of emotions. Watching them was almost an escape from my everyday childhood routines.
It took me years to realize how many of those stories were connected and how anime had been shaping my childhood all along.
The Anime That Influenced My Early Years
You could say it all started with Yu-Gi-Oh!. Like many kids, I got into the card game - collecting, trading, and dueling at school. Playing the game made me want to watch the show so I could join in on my friends’ conversations.
But anime was around before Yu-Gi-Oh! even came into my life.
My dad loved movies, so our house was always filled with films from every genre. Watching classics like Akira, Castle in the Sky, Kiki's Delivery Service, and Princess Mononoke felt normal to me. We even had Pokémon: The First Movie on VHS, but I wouldn’t watch it again because it made me cry.
I don’t think my dad even knew what anime was. He just loved movies and animation and the experiences they could give people.
There was a time when my dad got really into samurai films, both animated and live-action. I remember my parents arguing because my mom thought it wasn’t right for a five-year-old to watch so much violence. Years later, I asked my dad why he let me watch those movies, and he said it was a way for me to experience different cultures and ways of thinking, all from our living room.
But back then, I didn’t realize any of this was called "anime."
All I knew was that these stories made me feel something. They pulled me into worlds I wanted to live in, introduced me to characters I cared about, and sparked an imagination that has stayed with me.
The Anime That Meant So Much to Me
If I had to pick one anime that really pulled me in as a kid, though, it would be Inuyasha.
I made sure to watch every episode. It was more than just a show to me because I wanted to be Kagome. As a kid, I was fascinated by Japan and its culture, so seeing her live in Tokyo felt like a dream. She was kind, brave, and strong-willed, which I admired as a young girl. I also had a big crush on Inuyasha, so seeing them together made me love the show even more.
If anyone had encouraged cosplay back then, I would have chosen Kagome first.
Growing Up Around Anime Without Realizing It
But Inuyasha was just one of many shows that made an impact on me.
I loved the dreamy, magical style of Sailor Moon and wished I could fight alongside the Sailor Scouts. Ranma ½ frustrated me because I wanted Ranma to finally admit he loved Akane. Every mission in Yu Yu Hakusho felt intense because Yusuke had to survive and return to Keiko. Soul Eater seemed like a cooler, darker version of Billy & Mandy to me, even if they weren’t really alike.
Those were the stories I felt closest to. They were the shows I rushed home to watch and kept thinking about long after the episodes ended.
The funny thing is, even after all that, I still didn’t see myself as someone who was really into anime.
For a long time, anime was just a quiet part of my life. I barely noticed it.
Meanwhile, my sister was really into anime and manga. She talked about her favorite series all the time, but it didn’t really click for me. I just thought it was nice how much she cared, so I listened when she wanted to share.
Looking back, I wish I had taken a break from college work to show more interest. Maybe she would have shared even more, and I might have discovered my own love for anime sooner.
Eventually, she got my brother into anime too. You might think that would have been when it all clicked for me, but it wasn’t. I was too busy trying to figure out adulthood.
I just kept watching whatever interested me, and sometimes those shows happened to be anime.
Things didn’t start to change until years later, when I got my dream job at a local mixing and mastering studio.
Rediscovering Anime As An Adult
My coworkers always talked about anime, especially Dr. Stone. Hearing how much they loved it made me want to watch anime too. It gave me a reason to connect with anime intentionally.
So, without telling anyone, I went home and made a Funimation account, back before Crunchyroll bought them. Right away, I felt overwhelmed.
There were so many shows, and I didn’t know where to start. I wasn’t sure if my coworkers’ suggestions would fit me, since I hadn’t realized how much anime was already part of my life. It all felt new, so I went back to the anime I grew up with and hoped the algorithm would help me find more.
Just as I was getting into anime, the pandemic hit. I lost my job, my motivation, and my interest for a while. After that, I only watched familiar anime because trying new shows felt overwhelming.
A few years later, my partner and I went to a local anime event at our YMCA. Being around real fans brought back my excitement for these stories.
Since then, anime has become an important part of my life.
Anime Feels Like Home Now
I’ve watched more series than I ever expected. From One Piece and Solo Leveling to Blue Box and Horimiya, I’m not afraid to try new anime anymore, since I can always stop if I don’t like it. Now, I ask my sister (and sometimes my brother) for recommendations, and sometimes I even suggest shows to her. It’s something we’ve really bonded over, and I’m grateful for that connection.
Honestly?
Anime makes my life feel brighter. It’s never just been a phase, a genre, or something I happened to like.
Looking back, anime wasn’t just part of my childhood. It quietly became the thread that connected my comfort, creativity, and identity, shaping who I am even before I realized it.
What about you?
Did any anime quietly shape your childhood too? I’d love to hear which series stayed with you as you grew up, or which anime made you realize how special this medium is.
Maybe there was a moment when you first felt like a true fan, or a show that brought you and your friends together. Do you have a funny or special memory tied to an anime, or was there a character you really related to? I’d love to read your stories and experiences below!