How Anime Shaped My Artistic Journey and Personal Growth

From the moment I first watched anime as a child, I was captivated. The fluid animation, the deep emotions in every frame, the ability to transport viewers to entire worlds all of it spoke to me in a way nothing else did. It became the foundation of my artistic journey and, ultimately, my personal growth.

Anime taught me storytelling beyond words. Shows like Spirited Away and Attack on Titan showed me that visuals could carry emotions just as powerfully as dialogue. That realization shaped my approach to art. I didn’t just want to create; I wanted to tell stories through every brushstroke, every glow of light, every surreal detail.

The influence of artists like Hayao Miyazaki and the bold expressionism of anime aesthetics led me to develop my own style. One that blends animation, surrealism, and gestural painting. My work isn’t just about beauty; it’s about emotion, about capturing fleeting moments and turning them into something tangible.

But anime also shaped me beyond the canvas. As an autistic artist, I often felt like I existed in a world that wasn’t made for me. Yet, anime’s themes of resilience, self-discovery, and embracing one’s uniqueness resonated deeply. Characters who struggled, grew, and found strength in their differences reminded me that my own path though unconventional was just as valid.

Today, as a multi-award-winning artist, I carry those influences with me in every piece I create. It embodies the spirit of wonder, storytelling, and self-expression that anime gave me. And in turn, I hope my work inspires others to embrace their own unique journey, just as anime inspired me.