‘Anime Trash’ Jennifer Lee’s Full OFM Interview

Whether you watch subbed or dubbed, if you’re a weeb for anime, you’re alright with us. Living for the fantasy you could only dream of having, anime is a way to immerse yourself into another dimension while escaping reality just for a moment, indulging deep into stories and characters you wish you could immolate yourself.

LGBTQ Artist Jennifer Lee Marana, self-proclaimed “anime trash,” has been creating and designing her own anime-fandom-inspired illustrations for years. Her Instagram account doro_kai is where this sweet soul shares all her colorful and cute uwu creations, and where she jokes there are “too many fandoms so little time.”

When did you start drawing anime-fandom-inspired illustrations?
I really hit it hard when I was 12 or 13. My friend showed me an anime edit of characters with music playing, and I was like, “What is that; that’s amazing?” Then I just started watching a bunch of anime after that, and I just dove super deep into drawing every character I could think of. 

What inspires you to create these adorable animations?
All the content I’ve taken in since being a little kid, I’ve always been crazy into cartoons. My mom fed me cartoons a lot as a form of entertainment. My grandmother was an artist, and she took me to art shows and events where she sold her own art. She was set up in an art shop, and she taught at the community college, so she was a huge influence.

She just kept me thinking about art and would have me practice certain methods or styles; at the time I was like, “Why?” Now I’m really glad she did, though, because I don’t know if I would have kept up with drawing. There have always been a lot of artistic people in my life that have inspired me along the way, though. 

Does being a queer artist reflect in your art illustrations?
Definitely. I have always found women attractive since a very young age of 13, and I didn’t realize until high school that I actually was romantically and sexually attracted to them. I definitely prefer drawing women, mostly because I think they’re more fun to draw. My hands enjoy it, and my eyes enjoy women more. I enjoy drawing men as well, but I don’t feel as comfortable. Then, it helped me come out as a person because I was able to display affection in art, like two women or two men.

What kind of commissions do you do for people, and how can one secure one of your custom pieces?
Oh boy. It’s a complicated question because I’m not out here hooting and hollering about it; it’s literally a couple of my nerd friends who commission me. I do a lot of simple portraits or close-ups, but I’ve done a lot of fan art of characters.

I do a lot of portraits of people I know, or people who want a photo reenacted, and I definitely let them know it’s going to be cartoony and anime-ish. Finding me on my Insta is usually a good place because it’s a good reference to all my work and my style. Doro_kai on Instagram. You know the one.

How does it feel to advocate for the LGBTQ and weeb communities?
So empowering, I’ve never had an opportunity like this, and I feel I can speak up for a lot of people who don’t because I used to be very shy and super introverted. Now I just stopped caring because a lot more people have come out and embraced their inner weeb as well. It feels empowering, It feels inspiring, and I hope to continue my work because of it.

To date, what’s your favorite piece you’ve created?
My most recent digital piece really drove me. I felt inspired because I really care about my two roommates. I wanted to show them how much I care about them and how much they truly inspire me to push myself creatively.  Other than that, some pieces back in high school I didn’t expect to enjoy—some random AP art that I was forced to do. Then you realize, oh wow, this actually turned out great and really crazy looking, and I didn’t know I was capable of that. Like, collages? Those are dope.

What does it mean to be “anime trash” ?
To think about it on a daily basis, to keep in touch with it very often, and be inspired to create something based off of it, whether it’s physical or just a conversation or a relationship with someone over it. Just being a part of a huge community that everyone’s ashamed to be a part of, but everyone is very happy with. Well, to correct myself, it is something I used to be ashamed about, and now I proudly say, I’m trash for the anime culture. 

What are your hopes for future creations?
The big goal was to create a comic book, but now a webcomic would be a better, modern version of that idea. Although ideally, I’d like to have a show of my own. To have my characters come to life would be everything, because I’ve had this universe stuck in my head since I was around 15, and it hurts my brain. It’s hard to share it all in a sentence, so I want to be able to share it the best way I can—in a physical form.

Anything else you’d like to add?
Never be upset with your past work. It’s always a reflection of what you’re going to be better at or what you frickin’ accomplished in the first place when you went through the trouble of making something. Especially if it’s anime-based, I’m always like, it’s an anime prompt, and no one’s gonna use this. How am I supposed to display this? It’s something from a Japanese show, but I don’t think that’s something to be upset over or embarrassed about.

Everyone tells me, “Don’t be embarrassed about it; you are so talented.” And I used to be way worse about it. I used to just not bring it up. So, don’t be ashamed of anything you create weeby or not; you fucking did a thing. I just feel really bad at words, and that’s the reason why I draw.

Check out Jennifer Lee’s Instagram to commission a custom illustration of your own. They’re not only beyond badass, but can be cherished for years to come. Lover of anime or not, it’s their own little world she’s created for them, giving others a sneak peak into their new fantasy life.

Photo Creds: Jennifer Lee Marana x Doro Kai