My first anime would have probably been Pokemon and Yu-gi-oh, and then graduated to Dragon Ball Z at around age 11. At the time, I had no concept that it was any different than our (American) tv shows, or that anime was a thing. I think the show that got me hooked was the show that, for the first time, I realized there was no way an American had thought it up and made it. That show was FLCL, and I had stayed up passed my bedtime to watch Adult Swim. I was hooked after that, but had no real medium or way to watch anime. I grew up on a farm in rural Missouri, so it wasn't as simple as going to school. None of my friends even knew what anime was. Hell, by the time I graduated only a close circle of my friends were aware of it's existence. To this day, I will not watch anime in front of other people, unless I am absolutely comfortable with them. There was such a stigma of, I don't know.. I was looked down on for watching cartoons, I think. Never have read a manga.
Honestly the thought has never occured to me. I feel like if i'm going to read, I am going to read a novel or non-fiction book. When I read, it's typically more to learn than for leisure. I don't read as much as a should. Watching anime is easy, reading manga takes some effort.
I hear ya. I read (not just manga, but novels, non-fiction, poetry) more for entertainment than for learning. The reason that I prefer manga over anime is because of the pacing. When I'm reading manga, or books in general, I can read as fast or as slow as I want and can force myself to read at a pace that feels appropriate to what I'm reading. With anime, and movies and other types of TV shows as well, I'm forced to follow at the pace of what the director/writer feels is appropriate.
I feel like the statement above doesn't exclude manga (or any writing for that matter,) you are only allowed to go at the creator's pace. They control, ultimately, what you know just the same as a director. I guess in terms of time, you could probably read an "episode" faster than watching one. If you are watching a show, you are committing 20 minutes or so. Reading is more accessible.With anime, and movies and other types of TV shows as well, I'm forced to follow at the pace of what the director/writer feels is appropriate.