Yes yes.  We have anime fans!  We have a terror alert chart! (Color-coded, no less!)  So what happens when you force the two into a room with champagne and the lights down low? :eyes:

Hopefully, a project that'll grow. :giggle:  This all came to mind while I was sitting at my computer at 2am no less, but the idea sparked in #CaffeineLounge.

^<^>^

Anime Fandom Alert (Terror Alert Parody)

This is in ascending order; from bottom to top.

**// Appleseed (Low) //**

Barely quallifying as a fandom level, this is where many make their journey to the top (of Tokyo Tower, of course).

Traits to watch for:
Distracted when usually focus
Has seen a few episodes of a series
Thinks about anime every once in a while
Is drawn in by the art, but doesn't understand why
Still spends time with friends who don't watch anime

**// Fushigi Yuugi (Guarded) //**

The "average" anime fan rests here, often wavering up to the next level and down again.

Traits to watch for:
Beginning *EHS, or Empty Headed Syndrome
Increasing urge to watch anime more often
Has seen at least one full series, in English
Slowly emulating the art
Spending less time with non-anime watching friends

**// Dragonball/Z/GT (Elevated) //**

Just above the average level, the fan has now come in contact with others like him or her and feels the need to "evolve" past them.

Traits to watch for:
EHS setting in, but not completely functional
Anime viewed in Japanese (often subbed) is occuring more and more
Burning desire to be the "top" fan
Sketches during class have become the norm
No longer associates with "friends" who don't watch the glory that is anime

**// Naruto (High)  //**

The fan has reached the apex among his or her peers, and now sets the bar even higher - daring the world to keep up.

Traits to watch for:
Extended periods in front of television/computer screens
EHS has now mutated to *CID - Character Imprinting Disorder
Urge to learn Japanese is climbing
Leads a clique while mocking those who are below them
Resourcefulness leads to finding anime in more places

**// Inuyasha (Severe) //**

No longer willing to be called a "fan", the individual now refers to him/herself as the character chosen by the CID process and expects you to as well.  He/she threatens to supersede the threat chart and become their own level.

Traits to watch for:
Anime knowledge has grown - and continues to - exponentially
Gained ability to "match-up" any pair in anime or the "real world" with only a reference to another pair in an anime
Has either completely or nearly completely forsaken work/school/"formally" important things in the name of anime
No longer hesitant to speak Japanese, regardless of mistakes
Runs a ring of high-level anime watchers - some of which trade subbed/dubbed anime over the internet or fansub it themselves

--

Glossary:
EHS: Empty Headed Syndrome -  More of a reflex than an actual syndrome; the anime fan begins to "misplace" knowledge over time in exchange for remembering more about an anime character, a fight scene or other random facts.  Normally unnoticed by adults, EHS can be a devistating thing for the younger generation who still have to attend school five days out of the week - especially during periods such as finals.  How cruel is it that while anime can calm you down - or hype you up - before a test at school, only for you to forget the subject matter?  Such is the power of anime.

CID: Character Imprinting Disorder - Contrary to popular belief, nine out of ten frequent anime viewers are affected by this.  While there is the rarity of an all-around fan - which is saying you like everything a bit, but nothing alot therefore making it an oxymoron in fan terms - most people find a series with which they can "connect", primarly because there is one character they either a) believe they should be, b) are dramatically in love with, c) find many similarities with, or d) all/a mixture of the above.  Once that character is found, the individual will draw themselves closer to it, either "becoming" it, or finding some way to marry it off/join with it.  In some cases, it can seriously put an end to your life - an example is thinking that you're A-ko (or Excel, for you new school kids) and doing death-defying things that will lead to your death.  There's no return from that, so I'd hope you haven't imprinted either of those characters. ^^;

^<^>^

If this works out well, I'll be willing to put more work into it (the graphic included) and allow people to send in "traits" for me to add.  And since you read this far...a cookie for you.  Thanks. :)