Senior Lake Cowman is viewed as a “jock” around Pella High School. He was the starting right fielder for the state tournament-qualifying baseball team, and he was the starting safety for the football team who were runner-ups in class 4A this past year, but he has an underlying passion for anime that many people are unaware of. 

Anime are Japanese-styled cartoons that are becoming very popular across the globe. They are often looked upon as weird and inferior to American television though. Cowman got into anime when a friend recommended a few shows. A few years later, Cowman has watched many different anime and learned many different lessons from them. 

“A lot of animes focus on friendship. I think friendship is a big lesson,” said Cowman. “Also, just how people use deception and gain power.”

Another thing Cowman loves is the characters who teach these lessons, and the depth of their stories that are revealed throughout the show. According to Cowman, anime is better than typical American television shows because of this. 

“I’d say the characters are much deeper, with their stories, and there is a lot more emotion,” said Cowman. “And I just like the characters a lot; they look cool.”

Cowman’s favorite character is from the show Naruto; his name is Zabuza. And Cowman is obsessed with him because of the cool factor. Zabuza has a giant sword and uses lots of different fighting techniques according to Cowman. These elements make Zabuza his favorite character, but they are also common themes seen throughout many other characters in anime as well. 

Even though Cowman is a super-star athlete, it doesn’t hold him back from enjoying some anime from time to time, even if it is viewed as strange.  

“Ever since I’ve gained my love for anime, there have been haters. Yet I refuse to let it affect how I feel,” said Cowman. “Anime portrays many things that resonate with me, and I will always watch and enjoy them.