We have all heard things like "anime is just some violent porno cartoons 
from Japan" or "Why do you like cartoons?" from non-anime fans but presumably 
the people who say these things are not Japanese. I am curious about people 
on this ML's list experience with Japanese people when they find out we are 
anime/manga fans. For example, My Japanese professor, who is probably only in 
her early 30s is somewhat freaked out by the fact I am a fan of anime and 
manga. I will admit that I am sort of an anomaly in the Japanese department 
because as far as I could tell, I am the only person taking Japanese because 
it will allow me to get more anime and manga. The rest of the students taking 
Japanese even if they are fans of anime and manga (most of them don't watch 
the stuff or they say they only like Miyazaki) are majors in fields like 
International Relations or Asian Studies (mainly International Relations.) My 
professor never mentions anything directly but whenever I wear an anime shirt 
she clearly gives me a look that says "Why are you into this stuff?" 
Otherwise I know very few Japanese people but the other Japanese girl I know 
is an anime fan though not quite the fan I am.