From the look of a timid Saori to the one we know already, this episode shows the hobbies’ everlasting effects on people as it enables them to know other people with the same interests and even become friends. (Image Source)
While we already knew that Saori came from a rich family, but not the girl before she got introduced to Anime and stuff. During the flashback, it seems that she was a very shy girl with no friends. In comparison to her, Kaori seems to live life to the fullest and take on every hobby she can get a hold on. It’s a person that you can look up to because she seems popular. I think she is concerned about Saori becoming a loner, which is why she decided to take her along.
On the other hand, I was fascinated on how Saori opened up quite a bit after being introduced to a hobby. It’s true that hobbies can change someone’s life since they will meet other people with the same interests. Let’s take gaming for an example. While people have different tastes since not all people like playing first player shooting games or Japanese role-playing games, there is always some kind of interaction such as tournaments, competitive playing, multiplayer games, online play and Let’s Plays that allows people to socialize and even make friends.
Basically from this, Kanata basically became friends with Saori as they started to have fun with each other by introducing her to new series, playing video games and other things. While the circle ends fell apart by reality, not only her passion for Otaku subculture kept going, but she also made new friends. While having an interest in Otaku subculture is not widely accepted in Japan since Otaku has a negative meaning behind it, at least it has a positive effect on her overall.
As for me, when I started getting back into Anime back in 2009 when I entered college for the first time, I started a blog and participating on forums on a daily basis until late 2011. This is when I started to socialize with other people on twitter, other blogs and voice conversations. Although I don’t talk to many people in real life besides my sister since I commute to college, reigniting my passion for Anime basically changed my life.
After Saori shreds her otaku identity and takes off the glasses that Kanata gave her, this shows that she might be willing to use her own personality to make friends by using her interests rather than hiding behind a different identity. Of course, this wouldn’t have happened if Kaori didn’t bring her to the apartment to gain interest in Otaku interests and make friends. Although not all hobbies are created equal, it allows people to share a passion for something they enjoy doing. This feeling is not just limited to Anime, but it can extend to sports, music, art, computers, etc.
With that, I leave you some questions to think about: Do you think that hobbies can have a positive change on one life? Feel free to share what hobbies did this change.
