RUNNER-UP:

Dear Akadot,

I was first introduced to the God of Games, "Final Fantasy," in the form of "Final Fantasy 2." My friend then told me that they had made an anime from the Graphic Novel which itself was as good or better. Confusion set in, "What is anime", was my first thought and I said to him "You mean animation?" He then said "No I mean anime, it's short for Japanese Animation."

The obsession became a dream and a drug for me. My grades deteriorated as I stayed up late watching more and more anime and playing more and more games. I now opted to learn Japanese during times away from the anime rather than study for my computer and math classes. I wrote my papers the night before they were due. I slept through most of my morning classes. I spent all of my extra loan money on "Ranma" and other anime rather than saving for the next year's tuition. Needless to say the once perfect school record I held in high school went to hell my first year in college. I left college the next year with only a C average. I lost my school grant and I already owed a fortune. But, I needed my anime and games!

I have since bought well over 10,000 dollars in domestic anime goods, and I only work for pathetic $7 an hour. I have been going back through my video game collection since I found anime and have been filling it out. "Ranma 1/2: Hard Battle," "Ghost in the Shell," "Magic Knight Rayearth," and many other games have found their way into my collection. My Graphic novel collection is another story in itself. Let's just say it is big. And I never owned any CDs or audio cassette tapes before anime but now I own a whole slew of domestic anime soundtracks.

I now know anime is a drug. I warn my friends when I show them anime although they seem to be less addicted! I now spend almost all of my time playing mutli-player games, anime and non-anime rpgs, watching anime, and checking news on the net. I try to find time to learn Japanese and practice martial arts but it is hard. On top of that I am trying to start up a business with my friends involving anime, video games, and RPG book games. It is a hard life but I love it!

For all of those Aspiring Otakus I would suggest you tell anime and game companies your opinions. They will listen, especially if we all voice our opinion. Sign petitions and make them. You can find links to many petitions from the animeondvd.com site. I personally want to see "Sakura Wars" come over. Oh, that is an understatement! I may actually have to import a game for a change.

When it comes right down to it, the truth is I love, love, love, love anime so much it hurts not to have it. And yet it gives me such a great inner peace that if someone burned all my belongings I would still be happy. I love life! Love and love patiently I once read is a basic fundamental if you wish to live a happy life. I agree!

-Jeff Heiden