It's funny, I hate it when people try to either play down, or play up their interest in Anime. Here's a short story.
I was at a car meet that I'd organized on another forum last Saturday, where we drove to the summit of a mountain. While chatting about cars, the area, etc, one of the guys I was talking to (who, incidentally, had the coolest car there, a Honda S2000 AP2) let slip, when I asked him what his other interests are that he likes anime. Ghost in the Shell, Gundam (like me, he builds the plastic model kits) etc. One of the guys I already knew from another meet was near us, and the first guy indicated that the guy I already knew also was into anime. Thing is, he tried to deny it/play it down as if he was embarrassed about it. We're all effin' adults. Why should anyone be ashamed of having a hobby like watching anime? I mean, hell, the car forum (and modded cars on display at our meet) is proof enough we have passion for and take our hobbies seriously. I'm not sure why the guy felt like he couldn't fess up to liking something. I don't think anyone was going to diss a built dude with a good personality and a sweet Mustang for liking anime.
Just my two cents. People, they be confuzzlin' yo.