The life as a anime and manga fan series continues! Last month, we had Vania from Bulgaria explain how life is down there, along with how anime and manga culture is like from her perspective. This month, Eren shares how anime and manga culture is like in Norway.
Organization ASG: Can you explain a bit about your background and how’s life in Norway?
Eren: I grew up in Norway and lived in the country-side for a long time, and was raised by my mother. I liked going to school and learning new things, but I didn’t have a ton of friends and no siblings, so I spent a lot of time on my own. I was really shy. I loved playing video games and watching films, and discussed them passionately with my close friends. I was so into Pokémon, I’d bring my Gameboy to school and trade and battle, but most people didn’t play games. I sought comfort in escapism, whether it was anime or films or video games. When I got older I met more people who shared my interests in anime and other things, and it was refreshing to see that I wasn’t alone. My goal in life was always to get out of Norway and go to university abroad, which is what I’m doing at the moment. Still, coming back home during holidays is really nice. I’ve since realised that Norway isn’t such a bad place to live in. There are many good opportunities, lots of nature, and stability. Still, I keep itching to see the world, so I usually don’t stay for long.
How did you become interested in manga and anime?
Eren: At fourteen I watched Digimon on Youtube, indulging in that feeling of childhood nostalgia. I searched the web for fan art and fanfiction, and somehow came across Death Note, and that’s how it all began. I was really into the idea of anime and manga, I felt like I’d come across a secret that no one knew of. Anime became my hobby, unique to anything else I’d seen back then.
How would you say the market is over there? There’s no companies selling manga over there I assume?
Eren: There used to be some manga (translated into Norwegian) in regular shops and book stores, but I guess they didn’t do very well as pretty much all of them were cancelled. Now we have one shop that sells English manga, anime, and merchandise, along with other geek-related things. It’s a chain with a few shops in the country. I know some people use Crunchyroll to watch anime and read manga, but sadly most people stream it illegally.
How’s the anime and manga culture in Norway?
Eren: There’s actually an unusually large anime culture in Norway. We have several conventions across the country with growing numbers of visitors every year. There are many young people who’re into anime, I guess most people discover it in their early teens. I’ve also run into people in their thirties or forties at conventions though! Cosplay is becoming a big thing over here too. What I’ve noticed over the years though, is that people aren’t solely anime fans anymore, but rather have a mix of interests in things like video games and TV shows. Conventions and the “geek culture” is moving away from anime and towards mainstream things like films and TV (Game of Thrones, Marvel, etc). Unfortunately, as Norwegians are very introverted, it’s hard to meet other anime fans outside of conventions, as most of them stick their own friend groups and don’t openly proclaim their nerdy interests.
What are your main interests when it comes to manga and anime?
Eren: When it comes to anime, it’s completely random what types of shows interest me. Sometimes action, other times romance. Recently I’ve been into sports and comedies; the genres I used to dislike most! I guess my taste changes all the time. Anything with a good plot and minimal fanservice goes (I realize that’s pretty broad). I spend a lot of time watching anime, next to reading and playing video games it’s my biggest time-consuming hobby! When it comes to manga, I adore shoujo and romance.
How much do you keep up with any industry news in like the U.S or Japan?
Eren: I don’t really follow industry news in the U.S except when it’s related to something I really fancy. For example, I heard Vic Mignogna was voicing in Free! so naturally I was psyched as he’s one of my favorite voice actors and someone I’ve met in real life! In Japanese news, I follow anything that’s got to do with new anime coming out, especially sequels to shows I’ve seen (can’t wait for Digimon Tri!). I know some of the blogs I follow share news about disc releases and licensing, but it’s not interesting for me as I live pretty much on the other side of the world from America. Besides, I mainly stream anime on Crunchyroll or Netflix rather than buy the DVDs or Blurays.
Thanks to Eren for providing her thoughts, and some fantastic pictures of Norway.
