Whether it just be giggles or philosophy, etc, go on here!
Well, I want to use a recent important case, where an anime relieved a traumatic incident (not kidding).
When I was younger, as I was recovering from a life-threatening depression at age 12 when I accidently saw an 18+ site, was not happy to see that and 1 year later I was physically sexually harassed so needless to say, I was afraid of a lot of things involving sex and the human body in fear of being harmed quite a bit. (imagine what that was like in a school full of Family Guy and rude words) Sadly, the former incident left me scared even looking at artistic nudity in art or large bust in general and lots of anime would have easily turned me away like Chobits' earlier episodes.
Now is where I get to the cure for hyperactive fear: I was watching the trailer for Lost Universe that RightStuf made on an Aria DVD, yet somehow Canal's design came across as comforting and mothering in both forms when I got the CD and seeing her in the show, somehow her personality, face and the way she was dressed made her chest look more friendly and harmless compared to the horror fest in my mind. Made me feel like a baby being held by it's mother or just anyone wanting to be soothed to sleep instead of fear of being harmed. She broke the ice for me with simple feminine beauty in manga and in artistic paintings so now I am not nightmarishly limited.
For example of soothing: "shhh.... it's okay, nobody's going to hurt you.* *hug and shush*
So really if it weren't for a hologram girl, I'd have way more fear than neccessary still.
Anime has helped me in my life, as well.
I've always felt like a loner and I was somehow was weird because I didn't fit the general mold that people say you're supposed to fit. It's not that I'm dumb or ugly (I've actually done good in school and had people tell me I'm handsome). I just sometimes feel socially awkward and I'm interested in things most people don't understand (Anime, American Indian culture, Martial Arts, Warrior cultures, etc.). Anime has helped me see that I'm not alone, that there are other people like me who don't fit the mold. It has helped me realize that the thing that makes life worth living is the fact that we are all individuals and we are all different. I actually now feel sorry for the people who think we all have to be the same. It is that uniqueness that makes life interesting and worth living
I will not touch your pen to your paper. I will not touch it to your red paper. I will not touch it to your black paper. The white man will not see my mark again on his paper for the rest of my days on this Earth! - Red Cloud
from Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
It helps keep the voices in my head under control!
But on a more serious note, I sadly have no long, interesting super positive stories on how anime has helped me,But I will say being active online on anime forums and other places has helped me grow as a person, helped me become more refined with my conversation manner, and also *for better or worse* constantly teaching me how to deal with trolls/haters, and people who are just plain stupid.
Also Ghibli Films and more upbeat shows like Squid Girl help me relax when i'm stressed out or really angry.
All Will Know The Wonder Of My Dark & Jewled Sky, When All The World Is Wrapped In An Eternal Lullabye.
How has anime affected my life? Im constantly online with the various sites that discuss anime as well as watch shows. I stumbled across an anime show one night and it intrigued me so much that i searched what it was and found myself watching the entire series in 2 days on xfinity. That show was Fullmetal Alchemist brotherhood. I was then changed. I connected to the Japanese language (I loved it) and how the characters are created and mainly because of the plotlines. Most animes I guess , well the ones I've come across have to do with gods, spirits and the soul. Even if fantasy, there seems to be something it leaves you to think about. Some animes have outright teachings of life if you listen. Anime has impacted my life by feeling like I belong to something. I love the forums and reading others views. I've learned so much from other anime-ers. I feel more and more that I fit into this "world". My friends think I am crazy listening to shows in japanese, I record anime and talk about it. Ive tried to involve them but they just hate it. I cant understand that. So not having any live friends to share my thoughts on anime with i have the forums. Anime has now become a part of who I am. I dont know why it happened now and not years ago but things come in all good time. Im at a time when I am isolated and friends have died and anime fills in alot of my time. I feel a connection to these japanese toons. Thanks
Takitoteka