Nancy Kepner - Explaining Anime to Your Parents

I guess I always knew someday the day would come
When a simple explanation simply wouldn't be enough
At this point I have 7 wigs, 52 games, 12 DVDs
9 manga, 250 K-pop songs on mp3s
Most of which you paid for
So I guess I understand
Why you want an explanation
I'll explain as best I can

Mother, father, the reason I like anime
The reason I know foreign words that only avid fans could say
The reason that I dress up weird and go to strange conventions
It's because I think It's fun!
It's not just for attention

Mother, father, you don't quite get this cosplay thing
Why people walk around the streets as Pokémon and Card Game Kings?
Or how come in the U.S. we'd wear Japanese Street Fashion?
Well It's like a costume party
And I's part of the attraction!

I'm sorry if I'm stuttering
But really how on Earth
Do explain this to my parents
Who have sheltered me from birth?

That I'm not watching cartoons!
And this isn't just a phase!
Yes, it's weird! That's why I love it!
No, it won't affect my grades!

'Cause despite all my explaining
I can never make them see
They just wonder what they did wrong
Raising me

Oh mother, father, please let me join the Maid Cafe
I swear it isn't creepy
Thought I see how it could sound that way

And I assure you Lolita's not what the book was written on
Oh, wait you didn't read the book
I didn't either
Moving on

I'm sorry if I'm stuttering
But really how on Earth
Do explain this to my parents
Who have sheltered me from birth?

That I'm not watching cartoons!
And this isn't just a phase!
Yes, it's weird! That's why I love it!
No, it won't affect my grades!

'Cause despite all my explaining
I can never make them see
They just wonder what they did wrong
Raising me

So I know you think I'm crazy
I've explained as best I can
And I hope that you accept me
For the person that I am
A person who likes watching animation from Japan
Sometimes turns into a raging, raving, squealing fan

Oh mother, father, you want to know what shipping is
I would explain but I'm afraid
You won't respect me after this
I'd tell you about fandoms and their strange imaginations
How for most fans fanfiction is just a form of mas-
Creation!

I'm sorry if I'm stuttering
But really how on Earth
Do explain this to my parents
Who have sheltered me from birth?

That I'm not watching cartoons!
And this isn't just a phase!
Yes It's weird! That's why I love it!
No, it won't affect my grades! That I'm not watching cartoons!

'Cause despite all my explaining
I can never make them see
They just wonder what they did wrong
Raising me

Oh, mother, father, the reason I like anime
Is something that I can't explain
At all