How to Quit Anime Addiction

Try to limit the time you watch anime. ^[5] You don’t have to completely give up the pleasure of watching anime; instead of daily viewing, you can watch every other day or once a week. If you find yourself watching for hours on end almost every day, try the following:

• If you often watch multiple episodes in a week, even overnight, try to limit your viewing to just a few episodes per week.

Only follow a certain number of anime shows. If you have an urge to watch there’s no shortage of shows, try to resist that temptation; some shows span multiple seasons and are horribly time consuming. Pick one or two really good shows and just focus on that. You don’t have to watch all anime shows to be an anime fan.

Consider taking a break from watching anime for a while. You can also try to separate from anime by not watching anime or reading manga for a certain period of time. Try it for 2 weeks and see how you feel. You may be surprised to discover other interests and hobbies to fill that gap.

Just watch anime as a bonus. Choose to do tasks that you don’t enjoy so that you can sit back and watch anime movies with peace of mind. This will not only help you reduce your addiction but also make your experience even better. Consider the following suggestions:

• Don’t watch anime until you’ve finished all of your homework – but don’t get so caught up in it that you even forget to go to bed. This way, not only will you try to do your homework faster, but you will also not want to delay the task. Don’t get upset if you haven’t watched enough for the night – you can watch it the next night.
• Save anime for the weekend. The excitement and anticipation will last throughout the week – but you will also get a lot of work done that week.
• Complete the housework first. Tell yourself that you won’t watch the latest episode of your favorite show until you’ve finished the housework (cleaning the room, folding the clothes, washing the dishes, etc.) You’ll get everything done faster, and when it’s done you will be well rewarded.

Discounts on souvenirs. Do you buy anime brooches, character models, bags, stickers and other items just to add to your collection or because you really like/need it? If you’re just buying to complement your collection, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I really need it? A bag printed with your favorite anime character might come in handy when you’re shopping for school supplies, but the new Funko Pop model out there probably isn’t what you need. If you don’t have a lot of money in your pocket, don’t waste it on unnecessary things.
• Do I like it? Instead of buying a souvenir just because it’s in your favorite anime, go through it and save that money for something you really, really like.
• What will I do with it? Certain items like mugs, watches, bags, and t-shirts are practical. Other items such as character models, stickers or lapel pins are for decoration only. You can control this habit by only buying things that can be used (not just for viewing).

Stay away from fan sites and remove from your favorites. Just cutting down on watching anime is not enough for you to quit anime addiction. If you still visit fan pages and talk about your favorite shows, the more you think about anime. Help yourself resist temptation by not visiting those sites and not discussing your favorite anime shows.

Know the difference between the real world and the imaginary world. You can totally give anime characters intense emotions and there’s nothing to be ashamed of about this. However, when those feelings turn into a passionate love affair with a fictional character, everything becomes ambiguous, messy, and disappointing. Do you mourn for hours when a beloved character dies; you buy a character pillow; you spend many hours just drawing pictures of your favorite characters when you could have spent that time walking in the park like when you were a kid. Do you remember? Remind yourself that anime is a work of fiction – something created by a group of writers and artists – it is not real. The world of anime characters is no substitute for the real world around you.

• Step outside now and find what is beautiful in your eyes. Do you see that tree bark with ridges that look like apples? Do you want to pick up those funny rocks and take them home? Look outside and find something that you find magical. It probably won’t take as long as you think. Take a moment to feel the wonderful experience of being in the middle of nature with fresh air, seeing the beauty of the real world you live in.

Consider dropping the collection. Sometimes, the only way to detox is to get rid of all the things that remind you of it. This doesn’t mean you have to sell or give away your entire collection of models, manga, t-shirts, bags, and more. Consider giving away or selling some items you don’t use and try not to buy new ones. The homeless kid you saw on the way to school would love the stylish anime character t-shirt you gave him.

• If online anime movies are too tempting and distract you from studying, consider deleting video files on your computer or removing web pages from your favorites.

Pay attention to your behavior. It will be difficult for you to successfully detox if you continue to imitate the behavior of your favorite character or add too many Japanese words (which you know make other people uncomfortable). Try to be aware every time you have such actions and stop. If these behaviors have become difficult habits to break, ask your friends to remind you every time you catch yourself imitating characters or using Japanese words when you don’t need to. Your friends will be more than happy to help you and your decision.

Consider attending anime fairs. If because of your passion, you often go to anime fairs, now you should consider only going to one or two sessions instead of the usual five or more. That way, you’ll not only save money, but you’ll also be able to create a further distance with the anime.

Consider finding another hobby . You don’t have to spend all your time on something even if you like it. Explore other hobbies and interests that you used to enjoy but gradually lost as you became more and more immersed in anime. Here are some suggestions for you:

• Martial arts. If you love anime and Japanese culture, you probably also like martial arts, especially Japanese martial arts like Aikido or Judo.
• Play an instrument such as guitar or piano.
• Activities like running, hiking and cycling not only help you stay healthy and fit, but also give you time to relax and enjoy the natural world around you. A visit to the gym is also very interesting. ^[6]
• The hobby of crocheting also keeps your hands busy; You won’t have much time to think about anime anymore.
• Photography will take you out more, meet people and see the world you’ve been missing for so long. Get out and enjoy nature.

Join another fan community. Sometimes you can quit anime addiction by reaching out to another “non-anime” fanbase, which includes books, movies, and TV shows. Then you will find yourself gradually reducing the time for anime to switch to a new passion. If you don’t know where to look, try asking a friend or classmate; Let them know what genres you like, such as horror, medieval fantasy or vampires.

• If you’re into role-playing, you might consider branching out into other non-anime-related communities, such as book and movie fan communities.

Spend time with friends. Spending time with your friends will take your mind off the anime and also show your friends that you still care about them. The next time you need someone to talk to, they’ll be ready to come and support you.

• If you don’t have any friends, try to find and make some by joining a club at your school, going to the school library or bookstore, or even going for a walk in the park.