Burned Out?

[Talyn]

I'm just curious how some of you deal with anime burn out. Have you felt the burn out? What did you do? How have you changed with anime because of the burn out. This idea just came up to me while reading one of the budgeting anime threads...

Me, I only had one major melt down on anime which was last year. I don't know how it happened or how it started, but I remember at one point I wasn't buying or watching anything. Nothing sounded interesting to me, sans Desert Punk. I almost felt like I was giving it up and letting it go completely. However, the break away from it, was good for me. I was able to appeciate the good titles, re-examine what I was buying and watching. I had gone cold turkey and was not interested in anything I had or was coming up. It just happened that way, can't explain it.

I found a brand new start due to my burn out. September rolled around and somehow I was ready for it and ready for anime in a bad way. I missed it. It's a huge part of my life and what I like to do. In the end, I accepted I needed to take a step back for awhile and re-charge. I focused on housework and other ignored hobbies of mine and re-discovered them or canned them. I feel it was helpful for my sanity.

So how about some of you? I know it just happens, but has anyone else felt the burn out?

[jojo_home]

I've been burned out on anime for 4 years already and nothing's changed. I used to buy 3 or 4 series a year, now I just buy the ones I'm interested in, which is about 1 series a year, sometimes 1 series every 2 years.

[ZhenJi]

I do not know if it is burn-out or overwhelmed. For the last few years I stop buying crazy amounts of anime. I used to buy just about any show. After being out of the loop, I didn't know what to watch. I was buying 1 series at a time, FMA, and it seemed to be enough. Now I'm buying a little more, Basilisk and Moon Phase, however I do not watch these shows the way used to. No crazy marathons for me.

I guess the way I deal with being burn-out is just wait until a show sweeps me off my feet.

[SpaceButler]

I was burn out for part of last year, but when I got back into it I was a smarter spender and not so obsessive about anime. Now I rent almost all the shows I watch and only buy the ones that really strike me.

I only bought 2 series last year. Which is a big drop from buying almost everything that came down the pipe.

[Ty]

Every time one of these threads comes along I'm pleased to say that I've yet to ever experience burn-out or be overwhelmed by the volume of anime I watch. I tend to let stuff naturally sort out now where I know if it's not holding my interest and I no longer force myself to "finish what I start" for that reason alone. The sheer volume of good stuff out there now worries me sometimes because I do watch a lot, to the point where I can't converse about shows because I've watched too much to remember individual things in a particular episode, but I just can't seem to get enough these days and that's a good thing to me. For as long as it lasts I guess.

[Kellory]

Well, I dont really burn out. I live for stress, so it doesnt bother me much. So I'm not really sure if I just dont get burned out, or if how I watch Anime prevents that.

In any event, I've watched Anime my entire life. It isnt something I simply got into. So it is as natural to me as breathing. I think that helps some. It is just something I am conditioned to see from an early age.

Second, I dont generally download or rent. This means I need to buy if I want to see a show. So I take it seriously. I'm not watching a show out of obligation, or because I want to see a few minutes of extra footage, or because I want a more accurate sub or anything. So I have no resentment against the show.

Third, I have no backlog. So again there is no feeling of resentment about having spent money for something I havent seen.

Fourth, I buy Anime using a budget specialy set aside for it. This goes above and beyond normal entertainment cash, although it is the first pool raided for money if I have other expenses. So I am not skimping on anything else just for Anime.

Fifth, I generally buy series once they are complete. Well, volumes 2-whatever usually. I often do buy box+volume 1 to get the box and try it out, but I usually then shelve it till it is all out. This allows me to marathon the show. And I do think marathoning a show helps because you can take everything in at once. Your mind is not splintered between watching and tracking several series at once. You watch, then you are done and it goes into the rewatch catagory. I find constantly rewatching the last disc because the rest are not out yet tends to kill my interest in a show.

Sixth, I do not rate shows. A show is either good or bad to me. But I watch each show and view it independantly of anything else I've seen. Sure I will watch something and think it reminds me of another show, but I do not let that impact my enjoyment of a show. I may watch Trinity Blood and say, "Hey, its yet another vampire show?" but it stops there. After that, I simply watch the show and judge whether or not it was enjoyable to me based on the show itself. Not how it compares to other genre type shows.

In other words, I do not let series compete against each other. Therefore I have no worries about whether a series "measures" up to anything. As long as it does a good job at whatever it was it set out to do on its own.

Seventh, I do not restrict my buying other than I dont generally buy hentai. Other than that, everything is fair game. There may be some genre's I prefer more than others, but I do not let that stop me. I try to keep my interests and shows as varied as possible so that no matter what my mood there is always something I want to see. I do not get caught up watching only the same things over and over.

Finally I try not to get that involved with any one show. I dont care who the VA's were. I dont care who the director or producers were. I dont really even care what studio's did the originl animation or who put it out in R1. R1 studio knowledge to me is only good for deciding if I need to get the box/LE now or if I can wait a bit. But overall I dont care any because I treat each show as an individual.

I guess what it comes down to is that I do not feel any pressure to buy or enjoy a show. I eat what is in front of me and I try to make the best of it. A lot of burn out, in my opinion, is based around trying to fulfill some perceived belief that you have to do or like something. I feel no obligation to try to like a show because it was directed by say Miyazaki or everyone else says it is the best thing since Eva. Hype, direction, popularity, it means nothing to me and I dont let it affect my judgement or enjoyment of a show. Those things might get me to buy a show, but never whether or not I will enjoy it.

Oh yes, and frankly I do not care what others think. If I like a show I will say so and defend it based upon my beliefs regardless of whether everyone else says it is crap or not or does not agree with my interpretation. Likewise if I dislike a show, I will not hesitate to say so even if it is the minority opinion. While other's opinions can affect how I see something, I do not let a contray point of view annoy me in any way. If people dont agree with me, they dont agree. I accept that, read and try to understand their views to get a better appreciatation of the show, and then move on. But I dont get stressed out over it.

I guess this is kind of long winded, and because I have the budget to get a lot, does not all apply to everyone. Point seven might be of some worth here. I've noticed that those who avoid burn out tend to be those that keep things varied. Not out of any sense of obligation or anything, but simply because they like a lot of different things. I do not specialize, I genrealize.

To put this in some perspective, in the last week I have bought and watched the following. Negima volume 5, Full Metal Panic:TSR volume 2, Rumbling Hearts volume 1, Moon Phase volume 3, Fate/Stay Night volume 1, Ergo Proxy volume 1, and Kamichu volume 2-4. In that same time frame I have rewatched Zipang volume 1-2, Negima 1-4, Girls Bravo volumes 1 and 4, Trinity Blood volume 1 and 3, Nausicaa, and random parts of Super Gals Season 1.

Oh yes, and I also went out to some friends a couple of times, watched about 10 hours of Stargate SG-1 (random episodes), played about 36 hours of Everquest, saw a movie, went walking around town (about an hour walk there and back) a couple of times, called home twice, read a couple of books, went stargazing once, and built a snowman. Dont stay inside all the time, you have to get out some and od other things too.

[RommieSG]

I haven't really experienced a burnout. My only problem is that I don't have enough money to buy the anime that I want, my local Suncoast hardly has the anime that I want, and I don't have as much time to watch the anime that I want. Right now I have such a huge backlog, that I have a hard time choosing what to watch next. But burned out on anime? No, I don't think I'm going to burn out anytime soon. Especially with Haruhi Suzumiya on her way. ;)

[Caesar]

Well, I dont really burn out. I live for stress, so it doesnt bother me much. So I'm not really sure if I just dont get burned out, or if how I watch Anime prevents that.

In any event, I've watched Anime my entire life. It isnt something I simply got into. So it is as natural to me as breathing. I think that helps some. It is just something I am conditioned to see from an early age.

Second, I dont generally download or rent. This means I need to buy if I want to ...

Now I'm burned out.

[Caesar]

Usually I take a break for a week or two. Then I shift to manga or art books. Art books usually kick my interst right back up again. That and the hentai.

[Talyn]

I did some serious marathoning over the weekend, in between cleaning the house and sorting some anime and regular dvd's. This was much needed, as I'm running low on space and organization went to hell. I was looking for my Yukikaze Volume 2 and didn't find it till yesterday..lol (awesome show in a marathon btw) I have to say I felt like I was redlining Sunday before I plunked in Trinity Blood and marathoned the first half. After that I hit over-drive and went crazy watching Berserk and Hellsing back to back after TB. I slept in, and casually took in Yukikaze 1-3 and finished cleaning yesterday. I have to say, that was the most fun I've had in a long time. I took care of serious backlog and right now I'm still on a high, sans for the massive headache I'm getting from work right now. I think I got through my burn out period last year and have found my rhythm and focus with anime and it's role in my life. I don't get to enjoy it all the time, with a wife, kids (not mine, but love them as I would my own), and a house and job. However, when the chances arise I'm gonna go nuts... I'm suddenly remembering Genshiken... lol

[roastedpekingduck]

Some moderation and patience goes a long way sometimes to help stave off burnout. Having DVDs may mean that one does not have to wait for episodes, but marathoning boxsets certainly will make burnout set in all the much faster. Watching an entire 26 episode show in one day can certainly cause burnout.

[Curse_7781]

Now that you mention it, I really don't anime burnout BUT I do have a huge backlog and that leaves me overwhelmed at the stuff I bought. :(

[Lego]

I can remember you saying the same thing on my one or two threads about this disarm heh. To respond to the OP though, I've been burned out for a little under a year now(around 7-8 months). It comes in cycles though, as everything does. All it takes is that one show to get you right back in. I think my perception has changed though, as I look at shows as a whole rather then following them episode by episode. I'll watch a show, but with so much over hyping, and the new "hit show of the week", it gets tiresom.

I'm ready to stab my eyes every time I see something Haruhi these days. The last series that I really, really, really got into was Hime. I can remember being full fledged into that with a lot of the other posters here. I'm poised to make a comeback as I have the second season of Emma coming along soon, and some interesting shows this year.

[Kellory]

Watching an entire 26 episode show in one day can certainly cause burnout.

I think it depends on the person. This is just my own personal way. I do 26 episodes in one sitting pretty frequently.

I believe my all time record was Slayers, Slayers Next, and Slayers Try all in 1 go with about 3 hours of sleep in the middle of Next. That was, of course, quite a few years ago, but for me it is fun.

I would point out, however, that this isnt something new for me either. I do books the same way. I'll sit down and read a book from cover to cover in 1 sitting, or rather generally a series or all of a series that is out. It helps to read about 1200 words per minute. :) Not that I generally read that fast normally either. But an average paperback doesnt take me mroe than 2-3 hours to read normally. So I'm used to this kind of marathoning.

[battra92]

I just stopped buying the anything and everything. I still hang around here and watch anime now and then but it's no longer my life's goal to see every anime out there.

I think I just got burned out by watching too much crappy anime. When it comes down to it, most is rubbish but if I stick to the stuff I know I will enjoy, I'm okay.

[Talyn]

Watching an entire 26 episode show in one day can certainly cause burnout.

I think it depends on the person. This is just my own personal way. I do 26 episodes in one sitting pretty frequently.

I believe my all time record was Slayers, Slayers Next, and Slayers Try all in 1 go with about 3 hours of sleep in the middle of Next. That was, of course, quite a few years ago, but for me it is fun.

I would point out, however, that this isnt something new for me either. I do books the same way. I'll sit down and read a book from cover to cover in 1 sitting, or rather generally a series or all of a series that is out. It helps to read about 1200 words per minute. :) Not that I generally read that fast normally either. But an average paperback doesnt take me mroe than 2-3 hours to read normally. So I'm used to this kind of marathoning.


Ah the joys of being single... *looks at the chain and remembers the ball is back tomorrow night prompty at 5:37 PM depending on travel delays.*

[golthin]

I'm just curious how some of you deal with anime burn out. Have you felt the burn out? What did you do?

When I feel like I am losing interest in anime, I start watching live action movies, or I play online games for a couple of weeks, when I come back I watch some classic anime, My letest classic was "Daddy long legs" with this method I have kept going for 5 years without a "burn out".

[Suwako Moriya]

Even now I have yet to experience anime burn out. I think the main reason is how I handle watching anime. I have it so anime is part of my life, but not the only thing in my life. I also don't need a series to be a masterpiece worshipped by a special council to enjoy it. Finally I'm not in a race to watch everything under the sun. Instead I just let things flow and watch when I feel like it. I guess in the end you could say I'm part of the group who treats anime as just another hobby as opposed to a career.

[meganly_chan]

Right now, for me it's not so much as burn out that it is that I haven't had the money to buy anime. I don't think I've bought anything since early/middle last year! All the money I can spend gets pulled into other things. I'm still watching anime via what I already have and fansubs, but I keep putting off my in-progress collections.

[leongsh]

No burn-out yet. And I have been watching anime since the late 1970s. In my opinion, it's all about moderation. Generally, watching too much in too short a period and watching series indiscriminately usually leads to burn-out.

It was discussed extensively in the previous incarnation of the AoD forums a few months back.

[Mateo_home]

Can't say I've experienced burn-out, but I did take a little break from anime spending around this time last year. Mainly because at that time there wasn't anything new coming out I really wanted, so I decided to take a step back and rewatch some older anime or focus on something else.

I have to admit, everytime I'm collecting a series as it comes out and it reaches it's last disc, a little part of me says, "Yay, I'm done. I can take a break from anime purchases." Well, in March I'll be done with Basilisk and My-HiME, but still focusing on a couple others. Sometimes when I finish one I start with another. Like recently with Kamichu and Fate/stay night. Of course I could just easily choose not to buy any upcoming anime, but I want it. Just like when Haruhi begins it release run. But who the hell knows when that will be? :P

[ZenAmako]

Yeah, I burned out on anime a little over four years ago and never really recovered. I ended up selling off a bunch of series that I'd bought but hadn't watched. Even now, I have a number of series on my shelf I haven't watched yet (like Haibane Renmei and The Big O), but I'm holding on to those because I think I may want to watch them eventually. We'll see.

Right now, though, I find live-action a lot more interesting.

[RommieSG]

Now that you mention it, I really don't anime burnout BUT I do have a huge backlog and that leaves me overwhelmed at the stuff I bought. :(
That pretty much sums up what I said.

*looks at all the anime he hasn't watched and sighs*

[SpaceButler]

I just stopped buying the anything and everything. I still hang around here and watch anime now and then but it's no longer my life's goal to see every anime out there.

I think I just got burned out by watching too much crappy anime. When it comes down to it, most is rubbish but if I stick to the stuff I know I will enjoy, I'm okay.

You just basically summed up how I feel better than I did in my own post Battra. So um, ditto to that.

[Curse_7781]

Now that you mention it, I really don't anime burnout BUT I do have a huge backlog and that leaves me overwhelmed at the stuff I bought. :(
That pretty much sums up what I said.

*looks at all the anime he hasn't watched and sighs*

Oh I'm still watching Fighting Spirit. It's just a matter of getting motivated to watch the rest of my backlog. *sighs as well*

Enhance the Trance,
Curse

[MKVarana]

I can't say I've ever really experienced an anime burn out either. Since my habits are pretty similar to Kellory's, I'll simply highlight the differences:
In any event, I've watched Anime my entire life. It isnt something I simply got into. So it is as natural to me as breathing. I think that helps some. It is just something I am conditioned to see from an early age.
Haven't been watching all my life, only since about the summer of '98, but it does feel very natural to me nowadays.
Second, I dont generally download or rent. This means I need to buy if I want to see a show. So I take it seriously. I'm not watching a show out of obligation, or because I want to see a few minutes of extra footage, or because I want a more accurate sub or anything. So I have no resentment against the show.
I might watch something for extra footage (like the Gundam SEED movies), but otherwise this is the same for me.
Third, I have no backlog. So again there is no feeling of resentment about having spent money for something I havent seen.
I have a decent sized backlog, but do not regret buying it.
Fourth, I buy Anime using a budget specialy set aside for it. This goes above and beyond normal entertainment cash, although it is the first pool raided for money if I have other expenses. So I am not skimping on anything else just for Anime.
.... (AKA, darn that TRSI...)
Fifth, I generally buy series once they are complete. Well, volumes 2-whatever usually. I often do buy box+volume 1 to get the box and try it out, but I usually then shelve it till it is all out. This allows me to marathon the show. And I do think marathoning a show helps because you can take everything in at once. Your mind is not splintered between watching and tracking several series at once. You watch, then you are done and it goes into the rewatch catagory. I find constantly rewatching the last disc because the rest are not out yet tends to kill my interest in a show.
If I get into a series early enough into it's release, I will buy the singles, but I don't usually rewatch the previous volume again before I watch the next volume.
Sixth, I do not rate shows. A show is either good or bad to me. But I watch each show and view it independantly of anything else I've seen. Sure I will watch something and think it reminds me of another show, but I do not let that impact my enjoyment of a show. I may watch Trinity Blood and say, "Hey, its yet another vampire show?" but it stops there. After that, I simply watch the show and judge whether or not it was enjoyable to me based on the show itself. Not how it compares to other genre type shows.

In other words, I do not let series compete against each other. Therefore I have no worries about whether a series "measures" up to anything. As long as it does a good job at whatever it was it set out to do on its own.
I'm the same on this.
Seventh, I do not restrict my buying other than I dont generally buy hentai. Other than that, everything is fair game. There may be some genre's I prefer more than others, but I do not let that stop me. I try to keep my interests and shows as varied as possible so that no matter what my mood there is always something I want to see. I do not get caught up watching only the same things over and over.
Also the same for me.
Finally I try not to get that involved with any one show. I dont care who the VA's were. I dont care who the director or producers were. I dont really even care what studio's did the originl animation or who put it out in R1. R1 studio knowledge to me is only good for deciding if I need to get the box/LE now or if I can wait a bit. But overall I dont care any because I treat each show as an individual.
I don't worry about directors or studios, but if Yui Horie is in a show, I will most likely blind buy it. I've found quite a few really great shows that I'd probably never have even given a second glance to, simply based on a Yui-related blind buy.


I think it's really the sheer variety of genres that I watch that keeps me from burning out. As long as I'm in the mood to watch TV, I can always find an anime to watch, so I don't really expect to ever get tired of it.

[Takato]

I'm 21 and have been an anime fan for around 9 and 1/2 years now (it'll be ten this summer) and have yet to experience a burn out. I think it helps to experience different titles from different types of genres rather than watching the same genre all the time. If all you watch is one genre, you'll start noticing the same themes being repeated in that genre and you'll start to lose interest in it, but I've always tried to keep an open mind and watch anything from any genre as long as it's interesting. I also think watching both subtitled anime and anime with high-quality dubs helps to give a title more replay value rather than restricting myself to just subs or just dubs all the time. And I've never tried to keep up with the latest hit shows. There's always going to be a new anime before that I haven't seen yet that I want to, so why bother trying to keep up with the crowd? Of course, that doesn't mean I don't enjoy watching the mainstream hits, but I just watch them on my own time because I want to. Not because I want to keep up with all the buzz about the latest hit fansub series.

I also don't try to put anime on some pedestal separate from anything else and vice versa. I don't act like anime is superior to live-action or act like live-action is superior to anime. I treat it all as one hobby: television. Of course, there are some shows and movies I'm going to prioritize collecting more than others, but like for example, I don't treat anime as if it's separate from cartoons, rather I treat anime and cartoons as being parts of a larger hobby as a whole. You can take this all with a grain of salt as I've yet to experience a burn out, so I don't know for sure if this'll help those who have experienced a burn out, but it's been keeping me going this long, so I must be doing something right, right?

[Lego]

I also don't try to put anime on some pedestal separate from anything else and vice versa. I don't act like anime is superior to live-action or act like live-action is superior to anime. I treat it all as one hobby: television. Of course, there are some shows and movies I'm going to prioritize collecting more than others, but like for example, I don't treat anime as if it's separate from cartoons, rather I treat anime and cartoons as being parts of a larger hobby as a whole. You can take this all with a grain of salt as I've yet to experience a burn out, so I don't know for sure if this'll help those who have experienced a burn out, but it's been keeping me going this long, so I must be doing something right, right?

Like anything, you can't be 100% into it for 24/7, you will burn out. I have times when I really don't want to watch anime for a couple weeks and I'll get into a game or I'll get into a movie. But I always seem to come back to anime and a new or older show. My best advice after experiencing burn out countless times? Take a break.

[Kikaroo]

I really haven't "burned out" per say. I did take a break about 4 years ago, but that was mostly a financial reason and not because I wanted to do it.

I like to marathon a series, so I don't often start something util I have them all. Of course, getting the TV is half the battle here. When the hubby has a new PC game, I can fairly easily take over the main TV for the weekend. When he doesn't (he's been on a Wii/360 binge lately), I play WoW so it works out well for me (it helps me avoid both anime and WoW burnout).

However, I also tend to watch a disc after work most non-school nights (before he gets home and steals the TV :D ). So, I catch up on single discs that way (for those "close to monthly releases) or I'll spend several nights in a row watching one completed series (like I'm watching Texhnolyze right now). That way even when he's taking over the TV on a regular basis, I still get my anime time in. ^_~

[christianlf]

Never burned out, but I have slowed down a whole hell of a lot. But, that's only natural. The further one gets along in the years watching anime, the less and less there is to discover, and I reached the point where the shows that I had missed in previous years has dwindled down considerably. I may discover one or two gems from the past a year now, whereas before, it was tens of shows. Since my taste is rather narrow in the sense that I don't like watching stuff I find to be overly disposable, I'm really restricted to the one (or if I'm lucky, two) new shows a season that might really grab me at this point in time.

But it's all good, it gives me more time to explore the much more diverse world of manga. :D

[Talyn]

I really haven't "burned out" per say. I did take a break about 4 years ago, but that was mostly a financial reason and not because I wanted to do it.

I like to marathon a series, so I don't often start something util I have them all. Of course, getting the TV is half the battle here. When the hubby has a new PC game, I can fairly easily take over the main TV for the weekend. When he doesn't (he's been on a Wii/360 binge lately), I play WoW so it works out well for me (it helps me avoid both anime and WoW burnout).

However, I also tend to watch a disc after work most non-school nights (before he gets home and steals the TV :D ). So, I catch up on single discs that way (for those "close to monthly releases) or I'll spend several nights in a row watching one completed series (like I'm watching Texhnolyze right now). That way even when he's taking over the TV on a regular basis, I still get my anime time in. ^_~

Oh wow, my wife and I have almost the exact same relationship. Though I'm the anime nut of the two of us, but I steal the tv when the kids are at their fathers. It's my only chance...lol She's a computer nut top begin with. Though she discovered Noir on her trip. She put a few episodes on her Ipod and came back saying... "Must have more." lol This means we can share tv time together, something we don't do very often except family tv time on weekends and the occassional ppv movie or Netflix.

[Damo]

I get burnt out from time to time, it doesn't help running the anime review website I run as I see a lot of anime and therefore a lot of anime I otherwise wont have bothered with. I have a pretty good radar to know instinctivly which shows I'll like but as a reviewer I can't do that so that's when I get burnt out. As i get so sick of having to watch the same old cleched crap.

I love anime and hope I always will but am struggling to find new shows to watch that really appeal to me to make that vol1 purchase. I'm collecting two shows at the moment Basilisk and Ergo Proxy but after that there isn't another one on the horizon I am 100% bothered about.

I maybe mising out on some real gems but I'm just not that bother most of the time now, it takes something really special or unique or just something to hit the right emotional note with me to get me back into it. Someone says "slice of life" and I'll prick my ears up no matter how burnt out I am. Thing is I'll then watch that show, adore it but once it's over wont be that fussed about anything else.

[Sheena]

Not really ever burnt out but it's only been about 4 years since I got into anime.

It's more of a slow down when there are fewer shows I'm interested in. Considering that I get to watch anime around my schedule rather than make my schedule around watching anime, it's been pretty easy to not notice the slow downs in interest by replacing it with something else (kid activities, quilting, reading, backlog diving, freelance work, etc...)

I guess the major slow down happened when I felt that I caught up with all the cool series I wanted to check out when I first got into anime. I rented a lot and bought a lot of the stuff I liked then. Still renting to filter the purchase-worthy from the rest but overall after catching up, I'm now in keep-up mode so buying a bit less and watching at more leisurely pace which means that I don't burn out on the volume of anime I watch.

[Zanza Hiro]

this thread comes up regularly so i guess burn-out is pretty regular around here

i actually thought i was leaving the hobby entirely last yr. i wasn't watching anime or reading any manga, i sold hundreds of my dvd's and manga and thought i was gonna sell all of it

then Haruhi came out, and i blind bought Basilisk... little stuff like that and i was back in. i must say, life was awesome without anime, i was saving thousands a month but, damn, i'm happy i am back in the hobby. i am truly happiest when watching anime in my tiny room or reading manga. i'm sure i will 'burnout' again in the future but i am sure i will always come back to this sweet hobby

also started gaming a lot so, that is a new hobby. the two co-exist very well tho, as my wallet weeps :D

[Damo]

also started gaming a lot so, that is a new hobby. the two co-exist very well tho, as my wallet weeps :D

I try and do that also, split my time bwetween four hobbies of anime/music/gaming and animating right now animating and music, anime is not getting as bigger look in as it used to.

[Njr Scrawl]

Trickle-watching is how I avoid burn-out. Doesn't always work, but usually.

Because I watch anime subbed, hearing Japanese is a change from my own language from English language shows or just everyday life. Tired eyes stop me watching though as I need subtitles.

Switching topic, character design & style of anime helps avoid burn-out. After harem go to mech. After mecha go to adventure. After adventure go to wherever your mood suits. But never force yourself to watch quotas, particular shows, or anime at all. Keep it recreation, not duty or obligation.

[Raye]

A few years back I remember that I felt a little tired with anime. I then realized that it was because I had been watching titles I really couldn't care less for. I usually never force myself to watch something I don't enjoy. When I find a series I dislike, I simply drop it. After all, I could be spending that time watching the series I really liked for a second or third time around.

[Suwako Moriya]

I usually never force myself to watch something I don't enjoy. When I find a series I dislike, I simply drop it.

That's a good idea, but I feel sometimes people take the strategy way too far. It's one thing to not force yourself to watch a series. It's another thing to drop series too easily. However it's ultimately a judgment call in terms of how much of a chance one should give a show to shine before passing judgment. I have to admit I may have dropped some series too easily, but that's just how things turned out.

[ADC]

So I'm thinking of doing a planned burn this year. Right now there are no volume 1s which really jump out and grab me (take that, SuzuHaru fans!), which makes for an excellent opportunity to take a step back from the hobby. The theory is, if I have a summer off from animé, say, when more of the good stuff crosses the Pacific, I should have a whet appetite. Anybody else do this sort of thing?

[Dagger]

The theory is, if I have a summer off from animé, say, when more of the good stuff crosses the Pacific, I should have a whet appetite. Anybody else do this sort of thing?
Kind of, but in shorter spurts. I tend to alternate between video games and anime, so if I'm feeling a tinge of burn-out, I'll spend a couple of weeks playing some game while watching just the occasional anime episode. It's usually enough to refresh me.

[battle001]

Every time i get burn-out, I pop in EVA.
For some reason that show always jucies my anime intrests.
It is the one series i watch at least two times a year.

[Buster Blader 126]

I also haven't experienced a backlog yet. However, I have begun to be a little more selective in terms of what I watch or download, moreso because I simply don't have the time to do that anymore compared to 2 years ago, when I was watching every new unlicensed series under the sun, or watching any anime that I could find on TV. I also make sure that I have time to do other things, like playing video games with friends, or reading a good novel. I also don't have any general dislike for a specific genre or sub-genre, nor do I make comparisons that would lessen my overall enjoyment level of a series, so I can pretty much watch anything. =\

Buying is never really an issue, because most of the series I've bought are ones that I have already watched. As a result, I also never blind buy anything, with the exception of Please Teacher!, in which I had a gut feeling that I'd really enjoy watching it (& I did). Regardless, I am beginning to develop a small backlog of titles. :sd:

[Lego]

I check anime blogs most of the time when it comes to new shows. I'm trying to puroposley "burn myself out" until the Spring season. The second season of Emma is airing and you have a nice slate of shows. So this Spring I can see myself getting right back into anime.

[Perfect_Cell]

I can pretty much say my burnout began when New Year's was done. I'm not sure why but I have noticed that I haven't been buying much of anything lately. My BB usually got some great stuff in when it came to new releases but as of recently, they are just are lacking in every company name from ADV to Bandai to Geneon and such and such. Because of this, I happened to miss alot of anime endings like Kamichu's and Kannazuki No Miko's since the last volume never showed up for ethier show.

Oh sure they will have 1 dvd I like but its sad how a good store like this after 4 years of buying from them went down the gutter. So I'm more likely now to become an online buyer like the rest of you. 0_0 I just converted!


Another thing is probably cause I just noticed how much of backlog I have. I tend to ingore it and just say "I will get to this show eventually, I promise". But it never seems to go anywhere. I have about 13 series completed and un-watched. Why? Well, I usually feel like watching them at certain times and not rush them all together, that wouldn't be fun. It bad enough juggling current shows like F/SN, GSD, E7 and old shows like Texhnolyze and Tenjho Tenge.

Right now, I'm only planning on what to do and make better decisions on what to buy and what to hold off.

[DazzleKitty]

I'm actually getting a little burned out on anime right now. I can't find anything the really captures my interest. I think I have made a lot of bad choices recently in my buying habits, so that contributes a lot. I've found myself taking back several dvds in the last week to get my cash back, and I am auctioning some stuff off. I've actually sold some of my old stuff that I don't want anymore (like Galaxy Angel and Rayearth). I am limiting myself on what I buy, and making sure that when I start a new series, it's something I have to have.
I've actually been into manga more than anime lately. Perhaps because there is more shoujo manga than there is shoujo anime...I really love shoujo, and anime doesn't have enough of it.