Memories and feelings are intimately intertwined in our brains. There’s a good reason why: the areas of the brain responsible for both are basically right next to each other (sorry, had to nerd out really quick).
So, I ask you: when was the last time you watched an anime (or TV show, or movie, or what have you) for a second, third (or greater) time?
Why would you say you did (or didn’t) choose to? Was it simply for the dopamine hit? Maybe due to time’s sake from having or lacking extra time? Because of cost? Not in the right headspace? Perhaps too stressed?
In science, we have a concept related to this: positive (or even negative) reinforcement. The occurrence of our brains learning to “want” to seek or avoid acting or behaving a certain way due to positive or negative consequences. Thus, “learning” due to one or the other leads to seeking or avoiding said behaviors in pursuit of getting that “high” or else avoiding negative punishment or consequences like losing time or spending too much money of being scolded by someone else for the umpteenth time.
Have I shrunk your brain enough yet? I know, I hate being overanalyzed too. Allow me to redeem myself…
Instead, maybe you’re like me: I just like to. Simple as that. Sometimes it’s to have ambient noise in the form of an anime I never watched the English dub of (I know, sorry, some dubs are total butt, but hey, cut me some slack). Other times, it’s to have that ambient noise from an anime I’ve never seen before but am too busy to actively read the screen subtitles of. Case in point: Sword Art Online.
That’s that “W” kind of stuff, man. Peak. Even more peak than Kaoruko in Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity. The reason why, I think, is more than just brain signals. Some anime content and stories just slap, y’know? They scritch just the right spot in our brains. They satisfy us weebing-ridden, simple brains. SAO is just dramatic enough without going full “FMAB” or “STEINS;Gate” mode, or dare I say full-on “RE:Zero”, even. SAO is probably the anime I’ve binge-rewatched the most.
Why, beyond what I’ve already said? Well, there’s a simple one-word answer a lot of bro’s (and gals) can agree on: Asuna. How can you not like this strong but endearingly-simple and deeply loving woman, when all is said and done?
The longer answer is the subject of another post (Kirito and the character arcs he goes through).
But I’ve digressed. Back to the topic at hand.
What more reason do you need to rewatch than just because it brings you joy? Or because it makes you think (like STEINS;Gate)? Or because it has all the magic? All the isekai? All the romance?
This has become a laundry list of what has made me fall in love with anime more and more ever since starting off with watching (all, including filler) of the episodes of Naruto back in 2018 during my lunch breaks. But for good reason.
What I want to end here with is, ultimately it’s your choice. And if it’s your money and you’re still being responsible enough about the rest of your life, then no one should be able to say or tell you otherwise.
Rewatch away. Be happy. Destress. Do all the things. Do you.