Been into Anime since CN/Toonami aired Outlaw Star, I was hooked after that. Still one of favorite series to date, although I've since went to watch many more that I rank highly.
It's always been a personal thing, though. The nerds who were into anime at school never accepted me because I was a flashy nikka in foams/jordans and polo with a penchant for Dipset, hoodrats and fukkery.

Even tried to join the DC Anime club and they froze me out
I'm glad though, def didn't want to fit into that mold and stereotype of having to be lame/nerd/weirdo to enjoy anime.
2 of my nieces love anime now, because of me. I remember watching week-after-air fan subs and trying to expose them to it, but they were too young to keep up with the subtitles and they threw me too the bushes. Now when I come around they always tell me about how much they love anime and prefer Subs over dubs.
Haven't been on the anime tip in a few years now, but it will always have a place in my heart