I’m sure everyone who watches anime has been influenced in some way, like those who want to be bakers after watching Yakitate Japan, or those who want to play majong after watching Akagi. Some of the influence result in short term interests, while the stronger influences result in interests that remain for years, or even a lifetime.
Just recently, I was once again influenced by anime, this time in a positive way. For almost more than a year, I have not exercised a single bit. However, just a few days ago, I broke this record. I swam for the first time since god knows when.
If only the pool had girls like this to motivate people like me to swim…
And the anime which influenced me? Major. Now, you must be thinking, what the hell has Major, a baseball anime got to do with me swimming?
In my opinion, Major does not only focus on baseball. It also focuses on the development of a healthy lifestyle, or a least that’s how it appears to me. Watching the various characters training hard for their beloved baseball reminded me of the days I spent in secondary school training myself physically just for the sake of keeping fit. I used to have the drive to stay fit, but it seems like I got lazy and lost that drive somewhere along the way.
In the past, I used to be able to run at a rather decent speed, clocking 2.4km at a best timing of 10.43 minutes. Now if I ran, I would probably exceed 15 minutes and fail. It is quite shameful that my fitness level has dipped to such a level. And so, I have decided to get it back on the track. To start off, I have decided to build up some stamina through swimming before I start running again.
There’s a swimming pool just a few minutes walk away from my home, so swimming would be rather convenient. Also, swimming would mean I wouldn’t feel sweaty all over. I calculated and came to the conclusion that I could complete about 15 to 20 laps at my current pace within half an hour, and if I do that thrice a week, it should be enough to keep my body’s fitness running for now. I suppose trading 3 episodes each week for some fitness isn’t such a shabby deal. And who says otakus can’t keep fit?
Of course, I also developed some interest in baseball. However, I doubt I would be able to watch the sport in real life, or get an opportunity take part in the sport. I guess it’s the love for baseball’s only 2D. Major and Oofuri for the win!!!
I find it this influence ironic though. If spending unhealthy hours watching an anime which influences me with a desire to keep fit isn’t ironic, I don’t know what is. Watching Major is definitely time well spent!
Ahaha! told you so!
One would have thought that Umisho would be the anime to inspire swimming, but I have neither seen Umisho (or read the manga) nor learned to swim (though I could probably manage to drown stylishly), so I can’t say that for sure.
Donny > Heh.
IKnight > Actually, the whole focus of Major’s influence isn’t about swimming, but about wanting to exercise to keep my body in a decent level of fitness. I chose swimming as I wouldn’t need to endure the sweat that running causes.
Lol, coincidentally, I just started Major the other day and watched all of the subbed eps in a couple of days (and it’s become one of my favorite anime). I have to agree that it’s made me interested in baseball, though there’s not much I can do with that interest here in England where the sport’s ignored. It’s too bad that no-one’s scanlating the manga which is way ahead of the anime..
Likewise, I recently read Hajime no Ippo a month or two ago and that made me really interested in boxing.. and a few years back after reading Hikaru no Go, I started playing online Go for a couple weeks.
Do you know any other sports anime/manga that are really addicting?
>IKnight
Umisho is far more of a harem anime than sports. I’ve seen about half of it and it’s mostly about comedy and ecchi situations than the sport of swimming - which seems more like an excuse to have a load of changing scenes and have the girls in swimsuits a lot.
Aoki densetsu shoot is an older anime, but definitely awesome. Soccer.
I actually liked Overdrive too though :p
Capeta is a personal fav though. It’s great.
If there will be a new Initial D season, I’d definitely watch that. It encourages me to drive faster.
“If only the pool had girls like this to motivate people like me to swim…”
agree with that statement.. recently I am also starting to exercise more
boo > Thanks for some of the recommendations. Will check them out ^^
ron~ > You mean you have hawt girls as companions to exercise with? I’m envious.
For those of you who have an interest in baseball themed anime, you should check out Ookiku Furikabutte aka Oofuri. It’s awesome too.
nah, no hawt girl to company me exercise, she’s too lazy watching anime all day (and not hot either haha)
That reminds me…I took up basketball after watching Slam Dunk back when I was a kid.