Is there a correlation between manga and depression?

[couldntthinkofaname]

so many people with manga avatars...

 

[throwaway123]

since when do you see depression as an illness? Did the psychiatrists finally get to you? Did they manage to brainwash you into believing life is worth living?

Depression is the result of a life filled with traumatic experiences and an excess of suffering. Death is the solution for most of us.

 

[Manaaja]

Probably more like young and suicidal people are more likely to read manga and watch anime. People who don't read much manga or watch anime, they are probably out there enjoying their lives with their friends. Manga and anime are cope for a lot of people. (I know, I know, a lot of people who are perfectly happy do watch anime/read manga, and a lot of depressed people don't even know what Dragon Ball is.)

Older people, aka those who are less likely to read manga/watch anime and thus not have anime/manga avatars, most likely aren't able to find this site (or at least some older people like my old dad can't even use a computer).

And last but not least, creative people are more likely to be creative and realize there's no point in life. And I would suspect reading mangas about all kinds of weird abnormal stuff makes you at least a little bit creative.

(Did I really just write a serious reply about manga avatars? haha...)

 

[MEoDP]

Probably more like young and suicidal people are more likely to read manga and watch anime.

At the risk of offending,I think it also has to do with the fact that people who spend nearly all their free time on the internet/computer are likely to have less fulfilling lives overall,and that may lead to depression. (It just so happens that many internet surfers also happen to be anime/manga fans,given its popularity in the west.)

And last but not least, creative people are more likely to be creative and realize there's no point in life. And I would suspect reading mangas about all kinds of weird abnormal stuff makes you at least a little bit creative.

The internet is just as big of a factor(if not bigger)as well here. You have access to all sorts of knowledge and information you'd likely never discover/learn on your own. (Its both a good and bad thing)

I say this as someone who is a huge anime geek and a heavy internet surfer.(I spend pretty much 98% of my free time on my computer)
My life is nowhere near as fulfilling as it could be. (and I currently don't have the power to do much about it)

 

[blueming]

I think it's like a form of escapism for people who are depressed.

 

[Manaaja]

At the risk of offending,I think it also has to do with the fact that people who spend nearly all their free time on the internet/computer are likely to have less fulfilling lives overall,and that may lead to depression. (It just so happens that many internet surfers also happen to be anime/manga fans,given its popularity in the west.)


The internet is just as big of a factor(if not bigger)as well here. You have access to all sorts of knowledge and information you'd likely never discover/learn on your own. (Its both a good and bad thing)

I say this as someone who is a huge anime geek and a heavy internet surfer.(I spend pretty much 98% of my free time on my computer)
My life is nowhere near as fulfilling as it could be. (and I currently don't have the power to do much about it)

What you said is very true too. When I was a child/teenager, everyone else spent all their free time (plus also the school breaks) having fun with their friends. Me? At first I just played video games, but after smart phones became popular, I also started to spend more and more time on the Internet.

First I was lonely, then I got addicted to video games and the Internet and stuff, and finally now I'd choose the Internet over going to meet new people irl.

I do acknowledge that if the Internet, plus manga and anime and especially video games didn't exist, there's a small chance I would probably have either suicided ten years ago or have meaningful and actual relationships with people irl and be happier.

But I'm a pessimist and think that even if one stopped using the Internet, and went out and met people, and got married and had children... Who can guarantee that your spouse and children wouldn't die in a car crash (or leave you)? And then you'd be all alone again back on the Internet. I know I would be. (Sorry if that was too pessimistic, but what I'm saying is, a happy tomorrow doesn't equal to a happy ever-after.)

 

[lv-gras]

.

 

[RainAndSadness]

As others already said, there are a lot of manga about depression and suicide. My profile picture is from such a manga. I love reading them. Many of them are designed for adult readers.

 

[Dog Food]

As others already said, there are a lot of manga about depression and suicide. My profile picture is from such a manga. I love reading them. Many of them are designed for adult readers.


View attachment 1615

Do you mind me asking what manga your profile picture is from?

 

[RainAndSadness]

Do you mind me asking what manga your profile picture is from?

Sure. "A Girl on the Shore". Have fun.

 

[satou]

 

[Sphinx]

Sure. "A Girl on the Shore". Have fun.

I love Asano's work, especially goodnight punpun and what a wonderful world, the amount of emotion his works evoke is profound, truly magical experiences, i think the common thing across all his manga is that they're all "existential" don't you think?.

anyone not familiar with his works reading this would think he writes happy stuff hh.

 

[MEoDP]

What you said is very true too. When I was a child/teenager, everyone else spent all their free time (plus also the school breaks) having fun with their friends. Me? At first I just played video games, but after smart phones became popular, I also started to spend more and more time on the Internet.

First I was lonely, then I got addicted to video games and the Internet and stuff, and finally now I'd choose the Internet over going to meet new people irl.

I do acknowledge that if the Internet, plus manga and anime and especially video games didn't exist, there's a small chance I would probably have either suicided ten years ago or have meaningful and actual relationships with people irl and be happier.

But I'm a pessimist and think that even if one stopped using the Internet, and went out and met people, and got married and had children... Who can guarantee that your spouse and children wouldn't die in a car crash (or leave you)? And then you'd be all alone again back on the Internet. I know I would be. (Sorry if that was too pessimistic, but what I'm saying is, a happy tomorrow doesn't equal to a happy ever-after.)

One of the major reasons I'm an Antinatalist. You can't guarantee your child's happiness and thus procreation is gambling with another person's life. I'd rather people adopt or become foster parents. That's the far more ethical choices besides just going childfree.

In all honesty,far too many people out there become parents when they have absolutely no business becoming one. I'd give a more detailed reply,but my family trip will be in a few hours and I gotta prepare. I suppose I'll see you later

 

[Manaaja]

One of the major reasons I'm an Antinatalist. You can't guarantee your child's happiness and thus procreation is gambling with another person's life. I'd rather people adopt or become foster parents. That's the far more ethical choices besides just going childfree.

In all honesty,far too many people out there become parents when they have absolutely no business becoming one. I'd give a more detailed reply,but my family trip will be in a few hours and I gotta prepare. I suppose I'll see you later

I have read about antinatalism, and while I don't entirely agree with "modern reddit antinatalism", I respect its original core message and am happy to see more people become antinatalists. You are right, the children can't choose their parents nor can they choose their genes. When I was a little kid, I thought my parents were just "temporal parents" and that one day my real parents would arrive and take me home and then I would be happy. Well, at least the parents I was "given" weren't homeless or drunkards or from a polluted overpopulated city, though they could have been much better too.

Speaking of adoption, too bad that when I told one (piece of crap) doctor that I want to adopt in the future, she told me "My friend, who's a really great person, had to wait for 10 years before she was allowed to adopt! And that with her being such a great and fine person! But you're in all ways an awful, sick, abnormal, deficient person! A person like you can never adopt!". It really broke my heart and I was depressed for months after that. Damn, my country has the worst doctors...

 

[MEoDP]

Speaking of adoption, too bad that when I told one (piece of crap) doctor that I want to adopt in the future, she told me "My friend, who's a really great person, had to wait for 10 years before she was allowed to adopt! And that with her being such a great and fine person! But you're in all ways an awful, sick, abnormal, deficient person! A person like you can never adopt!". It really broke my heart and I was depressed for months after that. Damn, my country has the worst doctors...

Wow,that's pretty blunt and uncalled for.

I'd highly recommend volunteering(see top comment here: https://www.reddit.com/r/childfree/comments/3hh3g3/do_i_belong_here_if_i_hate_kids_but_want_to/ ) and then becoming a foster parent first before adoption however. Parenthood is a very demanding role,and you definitely want to get some first hand experience with kids and foster parenting before trying to permanently take up the mantle. I also believe that having a background in these things will help you adopt much more easily should you choose to go for it in the future.

 

[mattwitt]

so many people with manga avatars...

It makes me think that they are sad, depressed, suicidal, and sexually repressed.

 

[Manaaja]

Wow,that's pretty blunt and uncalled for.

I'd highly recommend volunteering(see top comment here: https://www.reddit.com/r/childfree/comments/3hh3g3/do_i_belong_here_if_i_hate_kids_but_want_to/ ) and then becoming a foster parent first before adoption however. Parenthood is a very demanding role,and you definitely want to get some first hand experience with kids and foster parenting before trying to permanently take up the mantle. I also believe that having a background in these things will help you adopt much more easily should you choose to go for it in the future.

Thank you! I hadn't thought about fostering.

However, I think kids will always be just a distant dream. I would love to adopt/foster a kid and and make them happier than I ever was, but having a kid wouldn't make my life worth living. Only a miracle can make my life worth living at this point, and I don't believe in good miracles.

 

[blurr21]

Fate stay nights better than most normal movies out there manga sometimes is class apart hands down

 

[MEoDP]

Fate stay nights better than most normal movies out there manga sometimes is class apart hands down

Great to see a fellow fan of the franchise,I'm in the middle of playing Heaven's Feel route. :)

Have you read the visual novel? (that's the original source material)

 

[blurr21]

Great to see a fellow fan of the franchise,I'm in the middle of playing Heaven's Feel route. :)

Have you read the visual novel? (that's the original source material)

Wow cant say im not delighted to see a fate franchise fan...ive only read the first two novels and watxhed fate anime movies as well as fate zero..heavens feel is too dark for my liking dont want anything happening to saber

 

[blurr21]

Plus its my wish i become lancer from fate zero after ctb in paradise weird bt it is how it is...and God becomes archer emiya

 

[MEoDP]

Wow cant say im not delighted to see a fate franchise fan...ive only read the first two novels and watxhed fate anime movies as well as fate zero..heavens feel is too dark for my liking dont want anything happening to saber

Haha. You're missing out on a seriously good story if you choose not to give it a go. I played Fate several years ago,and one of the 2 major reasons I decided to replay it now is to re-experience Heavens Feel. (The other being is that the VN has been considerably updated by the fans to make for a Definitive reading experience.)

If you can handle Fate/Zero,you can handle Heavens Feel. But of course,the choice remains yours. I'm just letting you know its a worthwhile experience. ;)

 

[MEoDP]

Plus its my wish i become lancer from fate zero after ctb in paradise weird bt it is how it is...and God becomes archer emiya

Mine is a little different,its...

Note: Serious spoiler,you probably want to finish Heavens Feel and see "Last Episode" of the VN before reading this,but if you've got no plans of doing that...

Spoiler: Avalon

Being with Saber in Avalon. I have not seen the "Last Episode" part of the VN yet,as it is accessible only after finishing all 3 story branches,but Shirou from the Fate route gets a happy ending and meets Saber again after Death

I haven't been lucid dreaming in awhile. I want to take it up again just to emulate the above experience. Maybe I'll make an attempt today.

Edit: Whoops,sorry. hope you didn't accidentally read that spoiler. I mistakenly used the "quote" function and not the "spoiler." lol. Really sorry if you did.

 

[blurr21]

Haha guess im gnna have to have a go at it sometime gnna be seeing you in paradise man saber gets to be my wife lol jokes apart that is soooo my wish the characters are just amazing...thanks for your time man really appreciate it may see you in Paradise if not here n probably challenge you to a duel...i want there to be games till the weapon drops no blood,best fighters from all over the universe...lucid dreaming bt well religions all over talk of paradise id like to have this...

 

[MEoDP]

Haha guess im gnna have to have a go at it sometime gnna be seeing you in paradise man saber gets to be my wife lol jokes apart that is soooo my wish the characters are just amazing...thanks for your time man really appreciate it may see you in Paradise if not here n probably challenge you to a duel...i want there to be games till the weapon drops no blood,best fighters from all over the universe...lucid dreaming bt well religions all over talk of paradise id like to have this...

Lucid dreaming is likely your best bet to experience all that. (We sadly don't have full-immersion virtual reality tech yet)

PM me your email if you want me to send you a book file that could teach you lucid dreaming.

Edit: Unless you're planning to CTB very soon.

 

[Fallen_From_Grace]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that we don't need to look at correlations of things, especially with such a common thing as depression. Depression affects all kinds of people regardless of what they're into, and you can pretty much put anyone into that category. Rich, poor, sports fans, anime fans, men, women, transgender people... so you can say "redheads more likely to have depression?" And more than likely, you'll find a correlation there too.