#Crunchyroll All-Stars: Jaren Jackson Jr. Says Itachi Uchiha is Anime's Best Hero -BB

Anime fans come from all walks of life and in all shapes and sizes. Some are students, some are scientists, some are doctors, some are artists, and some are even nationally-recognized professional sports figures! Crunchyroll All-Stars is a series of interviews highlighting elite professional athletes who harbor a passion both for their sport and for anime. 

Today’s profile is on Jaren Jackson Jr., a Power Forward/Center who plays for the Memphis Grizzlies. Jackson Jr. is a rising star in the NBA after playing college at Michigan State, and was the fourth overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Much like the shonen heroes he draws inspiration from, Jaren has a bright future ahead of him, and we spoke with him about how Rock Lee influences his practice every day, why anime has such a diverse appeal, and more!

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When did you become an anime fan? Was there a specific moment that affected you or changed the way you felt about something?

When I was younger I would fall asleep watching Adult Swim shows i.e. Bleach and Naruto. I found them so interesting even though I didn’t know the storyline. When I first started getting into anime it was Naruto because the storyline really hooked me. 

Are there any ways you engage with your favorite anime series or characters aside from watching them?

I do have collectible items that I got recently—things like action figures, comics, and a few posters. I collect them more for visual value.

Have you ever bonded with someone else over anime?

Yes! Definitely! One of my best friends Tyger Campbell (who currently plays on UCLA’s basketball team) and I would watch anime together all the time and be so invested in shows like One-Punch Man, Naruto, and Death Note.

What’s your favorite anime series of all time?

It would have to be Death Note. The mental games played in that show are unlike anything I had ever seen, and every time I go back and watch it, I enjoy it.

Who’s your favorite anime character of all time?

Monkey D. Luffy in One Piece is my favorite because of his ability to destroy enemies with his powers, but still act like it’s business as usual. 

Who would you rank as the top anime hero ever?

Top anime hero would be Itachi Uchiha in Naruto because he was able to do his duty for his people while knowing everyone would hate him for it.

Who would you rank as the top anime villain ever? 

The top villain would have to be Pain in Naruto because of his ability to get empathy from the people he was fighting against while simultaneously wiping them out. 

Have you ever taken any elements or learnings from anime and implemented them into your daily life?

Rock Lee influences me every dayeveryday to keep going regardless of everyone being against you or not believing in you. Whenever you tell yourself you cannot do something, you have already lost and he represents someone who never quits even though he isn’t blessed with a lot of the other things his peers are blessed with.

It feels like more and more athletes are showcasing their love for anime—what’s anime fandom like in the NBA? And what do you think it is about anime that attracts athletes?

Anime has universal appeal and it’s good to see more and more diversity across anime with black and brown characters. Like any good story, you can take many life lessons from the characters and their stories. I believe anime is something that NBA players enjoy because the raw intensity expressed in the shows relates to how we live our lives on the basketball court. Best kept secret: some players like to imagine they are anime characters at times during basketball games!

What would your message be to someone who recently discovered anime and was thinking about getting into it? 

Make sure you do not take the older shows for granted because most of the time they are the best ones. Find friends to watch them with you as well. Don’t get too addicted lol.