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I'm an in the closet anime fan...

I don't really know your situation. Where do you live what is your peers actual attitude to Anime do they outright hate it or do they just not care about it ?

If it's going to lead to you getting bullied then keep a lid on it till you grow up and you get past all that rubbish. At least at the superficial level. If it's just a matter of being embarassed to admit it though I would just say have the guts to admit you like something even if it's a little embarassing. I can honestly assure you that if someone is really youre friend he won't care what you are into as long as it isn't child porn or something. Provided you don't smash it in his face and try and harass him into liking it too. At least that's the kind of circle I grew up in. I don't know if you have one of these tyrannical bloody cliques going that's going to give you grief if so avoid it. Make sense ?

Honestly speaking I had the same problem for awhile.

I didn't think my friends really cared about anime, but I sort of tried to inch into conversation...like,"you watch that Robot Chicken?"
-"Yeah, came on right before Bleach/Blood+/Code Geass, right?"
"Yeah"
-"Have you watch (anime here)?"
"Yeah, I have, have you?"

Nerd conversation ensues,

So soon enough I found that I had about 3-4 friends that watched anime as well.

As for my family, well I don't think they care that much.

Advice: Be subtlety open about it, if that makes sense, and you may be surprised.

Or keep it in and share your frustration/jubilation over shows here...having a face to face conversation is better in any nerd subject, be it anime, video games, or sci-fi; the holy trinity.

Hulten, is there any particular reason why you are embarrassed about it? Since you mentioned parents, there's no reason why age would have to do with it. Anyone who accuses anime of being childish programming doesn't know anything about it. Trouble is many people are still shocked when they discover the majority of anime is targeted towards older teens and adults.

It may take a bit of explanation to each of your friends and family members but I think that is much easier than continuing to try to hide it. When you are proud of and open about your interests and hobbies, I think that makes them even more enjoyable, because you can relish the joy of getting someone else interested in the wonderful world of anime and manga. Or at least being able to talk about it to another person.

I know how you feel; I'm in a similar situation. But the way I see it, anime is just my little pleasure that makes me happy, a part of me other people don't know about me. I think it's nice to have a side to you that you keep to yourself

There's lots of manly anime like action and big robots stuff. Personally I'm of the opinion that every genre can be appealing to either sex. If you're watching an anime with lots of pretty girls in it and someone walks into the room, it's not going to make anyone question your orientation. Since, don't guys like to look at pretty girls? But if that still isn't your thing, just watch something darker or more manly themed like Berserk, CowBoy Bebop, Gundam or Hellsing.

I think the problem may be with your inability to fathom that all anime fans do not fall into the category of the stereotypical anime nerd. I must admit, I am guilty of this type of stereotyping myself, because to some extent, the stereotype is true. Yes, there are probably legions of anime nerds that perfectly embody the stereotype of the pasty-faced, fat, antisocial, deathly afraid of women, basement dwelling, anime nerd. But this is not always the case, many of the anime fans I’ve had the pleasure of meeting don’t fit this profile whatsoever. Would it shock you to learn that I played varsity football and varsity wrestling in high school? Would you find it strange that an anime fan has a wardrobe consisting of Abercrombie and Fitch and Ralph Lauren, and that I frequent frat parties, go to Dave Matthews concerts, play way too much beer pong, all while maintaining a 3.6 GPA at school.

Do I go around announce my anime fandom so loud that everyone can hear it? No, but at the same time, I have nothing to hide in regards to my predilection for Japanese animation. If someone asks me what my favorite movies are, I will include 5 centimeters per second and Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind without hesitation. Am I afraid to tell girls on a date that I enjoy watching anime? Nope. Heck, showing Elfen Lied to this girl that was an art major probably helped in convincing her to stay the night at my apartment.( I wonder if she ever got the chance to finish it?)

You said you were ashamed to let anyone catch you watching Lucky Star, well I adore Lucky Star. I would also defend Clannad After Story as one of the few anime masterpieces that I have had the privilege of viewing. Would some people consider these particular anime "girly”? Sure, but should you really care what they think if you enjoy them, besides only a true anime fan can fully appreciate how depraved Lucky Star actually is. I hear guys raving about how awesome “The Fast and Furious” movies are and some people might considered these “manly” movies, personally I think those movies are idiotic drivel, but if they enjoy them, who cares.

In the end, you have to come to terms with the fact that people are going to judge you no matter what. You just have to decide if you can accept the criticism and move past it, or let it destroy you. Hope this helps you out a bit.

Yes, there are probably legions of anime nerds that perfectly embody the stereotype of the pasty-faced, fat, antisocial, deathly afraid of women, basement dwelling, anime nerd.