I feel great pity for those who believe that fiction is mere superficial entertainment and are missing out on one of the most remarkable gifts of the human mind and soul. Fiction is the magical realm from which imagination and creativity are cultivated. Through allowing ourselves to delve into profound tales outside of our own reality, not only do we enjoy fascinating, soul-stirring stories and connect with unique, awe-inspiring characters, but we develop depth, empathy, critical thinking, and the ability to imagine and create, as well as learn valuable life lessons. Fiction allows us to live vastly different lives, visit countless dazzling worlds, go on numerous life-changing journeys, meet various influential people, and undergo extraordinary experiences reality cannot possibly allow us to encounter. I have read innumerable books, both fiction and nonfiction, and I swear that novels have taught and given me what nonfiction never could have, and changed and inspired me in ways nonfiction never could have. And to those who consider anime to be silly, childish cartoons, let me remind you that anime is produced by Japanese people, the geniuses of the Earth. (Japan is ranked as the number one most intelligent nation, based on the average of three indicators: number of Nobel prizes won, current average IQ, and school test ranking. Now I know that these parameters are not absolute and are biased, but let’s not get philosophical— this is the best objective measure we have). Anime has its exceptional aspects that one will never find in other works of fiction. People who belittle anime only do so because they lack the depth and intellect to appreciate it. And I guess that's okay, because anime and fiction are not meant for shallow people.
