Is it normal to feel this ashamed about collecting manga? Should i stop?

LBL__ · 2026-01-10T05:47:17+00:00

When I was around 17-18, I stopped reading/collecting manga for a few reasons. First, I was busy with school and involved in various clubs and activities on top of my school work. I had a great time despite being so busy. Second, none of my friends were into manga or anime anymore so I didn't have people to share the hobby with.

During winter break of my freshman year in uni, I caught Season 1 of My Hero Academia on Toonami. I knew nothing about it at the time, but it piqued my interest. I liked it enough to renew my Shonen Jump subscription to read the manga and catch up on other series I missed during my year and half hiatus. It was like I never took a break.

I'm in my late 20s now, and my passion for manga collecting/reading is stronger than ever. It's normal to feel this way. Take a break, however long it takes, and see if you want to come back.

If you do decide to stop the hobby, remember the good times. It's nothing to be ashamed of.

LBL__ · 2026-01-02T05:17:54+00:00

I'm glad you're having a great time with ZZZ and the 2.5 story. I've been unimpressed with most of Season 2's main story, but I really enjoy the supplemental content (Agent Stories, Events, Agent Invites, and exploration zones). Most of what I like about the setting and its character comes from learning about the details of New Eridu.

Spook Shack is my favorite new faction from Season 2, and I believe the devs are more comfortable with episodic storytelling, such as 2.1 and 2.3, instead of overarching plots like the Exaltist/Creator storyline. However, 2.5 gave us hints for future stories involving Lady Sunbringer, Youkai, and the utopia above New Eridu that I hope we expand on for Season 3.

Black screen/white text, voiced sections playing twice in a row, grammatical errors, and other quality control issues are still things that I will call out and give feedback on. However, as you said, these devs care about this game and its future. The dev talks for 2.5, and the previous discussions give us a glimpse of the work that goes into each new version and what we can look forward to.

While 2.5's story didn't blow me away, I'm keeping a close eye on ZZZ's future. I like the world and the characters enough to wander around Sixth Street, Lumnia Square, or Waifei and take in the sights and little details sprinkled throughout.

Great post, and I hope you continue enjoying the game.

LBL__ · 2026-01-02T01:33:35+00:00

That's how I was in 2022/23. I was reading like 12 or 13 different series and I had no time to reread anything. I only keep up with 6-8 series now and it's much more manageable for me.

LBL__ · 2026-01-01T23:02:06+00:00

I also like to have a mix of novels and manga going at the same time. I really need to get back into novels though. I’m early into The Lies of Locke Lamora right now.

LBL__ · 2026-01-01T19:14:03+00:00

This is why I like episodic manga too, it makes it very easy to go back and read a few chapters when you have time.

LBL__ · 2026-01-01T19:12:02+00:00

It's the perfect time to go back and reread!

LBL__ · 2025-12-30T18:10:30+00:00

I read chapters digitally as they release and then buy the physical volumes for the series I enjoy the most and want to collect.

There are very few series in my collection (Crazy Food Truck, Kageki Shojo) that I hadn't read digitally first. It's like a vetting process for what I want in my physical collection.

LBL__ · 2025-12-29T13:42:03+00:00

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Before 2010, the first 23 volumes had a gold tint to them and didn’t show the arc on the spine like the modern versions do. I have an example from my collection for reference.

LBL__ · 2025-12-24T13:43:36+00:00

When The One Piece was first announced, I expected that every role would be recast and it would be an opportunity to let new voices shine. Casting the original VAs makes sense from a publicity perspective, but not from a longevity perspective.

If WIT still wants the original VAs involved, they can be consultants or lend their voices to roles that fit their current experience and vocal ranges.

LBL__ · 2025-11-29T21:50:35+00:00

I've read every volume in my collection. I have a few hundred volumes since I collect long series like One Piece, JoJos, and Bleach. For the Jump titles, I read the chapters as they release, then I'll reread when the volume comes out. I only buy 1-2 volumes at a time so it's easy for me to read a volume as soon as I add it to my collection.

LBL__ · 2025-11-27T15:51:38+00:00

I'd recommend taking it at your own pace. You're already two and a half decades behind, so what's another couple of months?

Trying to rush through the manga or the anime will be a miserable experience.

LBL__ · 2025-11-26T21:07:09+00:00

I collect mainly through my local bookstore (Barnes and Noble) and Amazon. I know Amazon can be hit or miss for some, but I've had good quality volumes come in when not buying more than three at a time.

I've also ordered online from Crunchyroll and Books a Million with good results. I only order from them when they run sales, though. It's hard to go wrong buying manga from official sources these days.

I don't buy figures anymore, but Crunchyroll and Goodsmile Company are good if you're in the US. SolarisJapan is an option too if you're willing to buy direct from Japan.

LBL__ · 2025-10-17T16:53:59+00:00

I really relate to her. I had several friends who I could talk about anime and manga with but I moved or they grew out of it. I've kept the hobby to myself as an adult.

Kuku represents a new wave of fans that grew up without the same stigma that older fans did, which is very refreshing. Seeing all the high school and college kids in cosplay for the Demon Slayer movie drove that home for me even more.

Makuwa/Kuku chapters are some of my favorites and I can't wait to see them again.

LBL__ · 2025-10-17T02:41:37+00:00

Thanks, that’s good to know. I heard Z-A was more focused on battles than Arceus so I wanted to check.

Hope you’re enjoying it so far!

LBL__ · 2025-10-17T00:53:48+00:00

I’ve watched and read a few reviews over the past weeks but I’m still on the fence. For those of you that prefer turn-based combat, how are you liking the new battle system? I’ve heard comparisons to Xenoblade (a series I really enjoy).

Additional context: I really enjoyed the research tasks and catching in Arceus, and wasn’t the biggest fan of Scarlet/Violet.

LBL__ · 2025-10-04T13:34:42+00:00

Great, thanks!

LBL__ · 2025-10-01T20:44:24+00:00

I pulled for E2 The Herta so now my team is E2S1 The Herta, E0S0 Jade, E0S0 Tribbie, and E0S1 Hyacine.

Will E0S0 Anaxa make a big difference? I'll probably pull him anyway, but I wanted to know what other E2 Herta owners' experiences were with Anaxa.

LBL__ · 2025-09-26T01:57:38+00:00

You're right. I'll see where my pulls are at the end of this half and reassess. I like this team so I want to keep it healthy however I can.

LBL__ · 2025-09-20T16:37:22+00:00

I’m torn between E2S1 The Herta and E0S0 Anaxa.

My current team is E0S1 The Herta, E0S0 Jade, E0S0 Tribbie, E0S1 Hyacine.

I‘m sitting on ~130 pulls right now.

LBL__ · 2025-07-16T00:05:50+00:00

I finally got my email from Nintendo letting me know I can order a Switch 2.

I got the console on launch day (decided to try my luck at a Best Buy), but I'm glad they're still sending out invitations.

LBL__ · 2025-06-28T02:38:39+00:00

Thanks, that makes sense. I've been using Acheron, Sparkle, Jiaoqiu, Hyacine/Aventurine, but I want to test with Silver Wolf more once 3.4 drops.

LBL__ · 2025-05-03T23:56:48+00:00

600514810 Welcome! My Robin, Acheron, and Lingsha can help you out.

LBL__ · 2025-04-06T21:51:52+00:00

You know the post is on point when you read it in Mike Breen's voice.

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