“Kaminari no Kokyū”: The Breathing Technique That Converted Me to Anime

I used to be one of those people who would swear anime is the same thing as cartoons. Naruto? What even is that? Same thing as Barbie, just a different language and maybe a different target audience. That was my honest belief.

But after watching just four animes, I can now say, with my chest, anime is not cartoon. It’s something else entirely. I get now why fans call it art.

For starters, the age group that can watch Barbie definitely cannot watch anime. Not just because of language, but because the plots are way too deep for a child to understand. And the graphics? Yeah, “gripping” is the word. Very gripping.

Cartoons will always protect your favorite characters. Think Winx Club, Barbie, Totally Spies, no villain is too scary, and everything wraps up with a neat, happy ending. But anime? Looool. They will kill your fave without flinching. The heroes will suffer, physically, emotionally, spiritually. And no, children cannot handle that level of heartbreak.

It’s one of those things you just have to experience to understand. Because believe me, if someone told me a few months ago that I’d be this obsessed with anime, I’d laugh and move on.

In uni, I lived next door to this guy who was deep into anime. For four whole years. I never judged him though, you know how people be like “why’s a grown person watching cartoons?” Nah, not me. I was watching Barbie at the time too, lol.

But in my head, I thought I was watching the “female version” of what he was watching. I’d always tease him: “We’re basically watching the same thing, guy. It’s all cartoon.” And he would argue, every. single. time.

Fast forward years later, I come home and see my brother watching Naruto. He tells me to give it a shot. I'm like, "500+ episodes? Yeah right." No way was I watching that.

Then earlier this year, we made a bet. A money bet, lol. I had to watch the first 5 episodes of Demon Slayer. If I liked it and continued, I’d pay him. If I didn’t vibe with it, he’d pay me. Easy money, right?

Guys… that’s how I got scammed into becoming obsessed with not just Tanjiro and Nezuko, but especially Zenitsu. That boy's aura when he fights? And Inosuke?? 😂 His chaotic energy and the way he never gets anyone’s name right?? I love a good humor.

I genuinely thought Demon Slayer was the best anime of all time. I was scared to even start another one. Not because I wasn’t interested, but because I didn’t think anything else could top it.

My brother says everyone falls in love with their first anime. And honestly? He didn’t lie. But then I watched Solo Leveling.

Now? That one word, “Okiru”, has me in a chokehold. It carries so much power, so much aura, I can’t even describe it. Suddenly, “Kaminari no Kokyū” doesn’t hit the same anymore

I tried Attack on Titan too. I know it’s a classic, but... I tried to finish Season 1 and just couldn’t get into it. Something about Eren Yeager just irritates me. Maybe I’ll go back to it later. Maybe not.

Right now, I’m about to start Jujutsu Kaisen. Everyone says it’ll break my heart but honestly, I have to watch it. I’m way too curious. So yeah… anime and cartoons? Not the same. Not even close.

Anime is intense. It’s emotional. It’ll toy with your feelings, kill off characters you love, and then leave you staring at your screen in pain. But you’ll love it anyway.

Any recommendations for a newbie like me?

_{Yonde itadaki arigatōgozaimasu! 🧸🧡}

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