The Case for Slow Consumption of Media

There are anime or books cemented in my mind because of the binge. I can clearly remember my first winter break from college, binging Nana in my room through the night. I still remember my month-long Attack on Titan binge in 2021 where I looked absolutely heartbroken in every picture I took afterward because I was so hurt. Yuri On Ice, My Hero Academia, I could go on in detail about the binges that changed my life.

Now, I’d be hard-pressed to tell you the last time I truly binged something. At the top of the year, I “binged” the first season of The Apothecary Diaries and Ranma 1/2, but those binges looks a lot different than what they used to. Think like one or two episodes on a weeknight, whereas before I would be up all hours of the night, even on a work night.

To be fair, my life is a lot different now. I am a mom to a toddler who changes sleeping habits on the daily, I work full-time in a demanding tech role, I’m training for a half-marathon, and I do my passion work (The Wonder of Anime) on top of all that! I am just tired 24/7. As much as I love to consume all types of media, when and how I do varies a lot.

Usually with manga and other comics, those are the easiest for me to consume. I can read on my phone right before I fall asleep or while I’m rocking my toddler to sleep. I’m a big fan of audiobooks for nonfiction so I listen while I drive or workout. Anime watching is harder because I watch most of my anime subbed and I need uninterrupted watching time. Usually, I’m able to watch an episode or two a week, if my toddler goes to bed on time. But then I also have my physical books to read (like my latest danmei obsession) and sometimes, I only have enough time to read one chapter before I fall asleep.

All this to say, the days of all-day binge-watching or all-night reading benders are long behind me. I am not one to care about staying up to date on airing anime to be in on the conversations online, because I do believe I watch everything when I’m meant to watch it. Whether that is as it airs, or a year later, I’ll get the messages when I’m meant to. But it can be frustrating at times when I want to know what happens next and my limited time just doesn’t allow for it.

As I’ve gotten older and other parts of my life are always on “Go”, I’ve grown to appreciate the slowness in other areas, especially my media consumption. The appreciation for the slowness has only deepened my appreciation for the story and allowed me to engage with it more deeply and authentically.

Take my reading of the Guardian: Zhen Hun series. I’ve had all three books in possession since February but I’m still making my way through volume three. If you saw my review of volume two, you’d know I am foaming at the mouth to find out what happens next. Yet, I haven’t been able to make time for it because I have so many other things to prioritize. But as much as I want to know, there’s an enjoyment in not knowing. My mind is constantly thinking about Zhao Yunlan and Shei Wei, patiently awaiting my return to them. I keep imagining what happens next and ironing out my theories. I also revel in the fact that as long as I don’t finish the book, the story isn’t over and goes on as long as I want it to.

And it’s not just with books or anime that’s available to watch. I feel this way while waiting on media to be released. As unpopular as it may be, I am totally okay with the Demon Slayer franchise adapting the last arc into three movies. I absolutely love Demon Slayer! Even though I own the manga in its entirety, I am still anime only until the series is done being animated. I do want to know what happens next. I have zero idea how this will end and I can’t even imagine it ending, to be honest. But for me, it is so worth the wait of experiencing it animated, especially in theaters.

While people binge or want to be up to date on ongoing media for a lot of reasons, I find that in the space I occupy, part of it is the rat race of trying to keep up. Anime/manga content creators want to be up to date to make sure they can take part in the conversation. Anime content creators want to be the first one making compelling points, dishing out the “hot takes,” and starting mostly tired discourse. Manga creators want to be sure YOU know that they knew about this manga before it was licensed and they loved it first. The second the anime season ends, the anime and the hot takes are off the radar until the next season.

And it’s not just about media releases either. People want anime and manga to be fully realized by episode 2. Confusion and mystery where?! If the anime doesn’t do the biggest plot twist since AOT by episode 3, consider it DROPPED and MID! Every first episode needs to be the best first episode in the world, right out of the gate. If it’s a manga, most people aren’t getting through the first few chapters or volumes that develop the world and the rules.

A critique you’ll see online often is that media literacy is dead. And of course, it feels that way when you’re watching a show and you then see a review where it feels like the reviewer watched a completely different show. (I’m looking at you, Itsuomi abuser allegations.) When people are watching and reading to engage in “discourse” versus for pure enjoyment, they aren’t taking in the information being presented. They are waiting for “the moments” others will be talking about. It reminds me of the DAN DA DAN episode where people incorrectly perceived a monster as a character’s mom when it was VERY clear it wasn’t.

This fast consumption, fast-paced world we live in no longer allows for the slow. If it’s taking too long to get to the action, the story is deemed unworthy. If people aren’t watching or reading the second something drops, they are behind. When people aren’t all talking about the same thing when something drops, it’s mid or wack. This instant gratification world wants the next thing as soon as possible and for everyone to be on it or else.

In the world of the fast, the revolving door of content and media, I encourage you to try a different approach. Watch one episode of a show a day. When it’s over, instead of scrolling to see reviews, take a walk and sit with your thoughts. How did it make you feel? What was your favorite part? Did anything shock you? What do you think is going to happen next? Can you sit in your thoughts alone and answer these questions without the influence of others?

As this world gets faster and faster, so does the production of media. New books, comics, shows, and music are consistently being put our for our consumption. While it may seem logical to always be up to date and on top of everything, may I remind you that media does not expire. You can watch a show the day all the episodes drop on a streamer or three years later. If it moves you to talk about it, you will do it no matter when you consume it. You can have a series on YouTube about 30-year-old manga and people will find it and talk about it. Ask me how I know. The point in all this is that you don’t have to get trapped on the hamster wheel for fast consumption. You can get off at any time and take the scenic route.