I've been an avid manga/anime fan since the 7th grade, but I've been watching anime since around the 3rd grade (at the time, I did not know such shows as Dragonball and Sailor Moon were called "anime"). My best friend of the time showed me the Tokyopop publication of Tokyo Mew Mew volume two, all the while introducing me to the vast world of manga and anime. That was the semi-begining of my turning away from a life of just being a kid, to one of loving manga and anime. BUT I did not start buying manga and anime untill about a year later when my mom bumped up my monthly allowance from $7 to $11. Fruits Basket was the first series I started buying (and I can't wait to buy the last volume).
I started downloading unlicensed anime (the fan subs) about two years ago, when I was a sophmore in high school. About a year later, I was asked to join Itadakimasu Studios (http://www.i-studios.org). These days, I know of most anime being released in japan and I watch a majority of them. With manga, I tend to read what I want when I want; so it varies.
I've put my passion to use for manga/anime on my deviantart (http://akiachan.deviantart.com), many blogs and in my life in general.
If there's something I have a bigger passion for than anime/manga and the like, it is my serving God on this earth mainly through children's ministry. When I saw this site even existed, my jaw dropped. It's amazing to know I can be on a site with people who have both parts of my life- the otaku and the Jesus lovin' parts.
I graduate from highschool on June 11th 2009 (this thursday). I currently work in a deli and am part of a launch team for a north east campus of the church I go to. Of course, I'll be part of the children's ministry.
