Written by Mateo Biggs
Quarantine is always something everyone will look back on, either because everyone learned something new (disregarding the current dance trend on the infamous TikTok) or because new memories were made, like attempting to recreate a classic “Titanic” using a spinning chair and a laundry basket. Many people, however, turned to entertainment as their lifesaver when the coronavirus restricted almost the entire population to their homes. With streaming services such as YouTube, Netflix, and Disney+ at their fingertips, there is always something new to watch in order to stay entertained during the stagnant era of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Remaining anonymous, many students within Roanoke College have opted to give their responses to the following question: What shows have gotten them through quarantine?
From the pool of students asked, many of which were upperclassmen, many gave results that were somewhat surprising. Many respondents answered that anime was what had gotten them through the pandemic thus far. These anime shows include old favorites such as “Haikyuu!!”, “Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood”, “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventures,” and “Sailor Moon,” and much newer titles such as “My Hero Academia,” “Demon Slayer,” “Given,” and even “Toilet Bound Hanako-kun”. Other students shared that live-action shows were streamed more often than not for them. Shows such as “Voltron: Legendary Defender,” “The Good Place,” “Hannibal,” and “Money Heist.”
Meanwhile, some did not even watch television shows, instead claiming to have either watched videos off of YouTube or movies like “Hamilton”. Some shared that they opted for Marvel films, even if that meant binging them in one week. Some even reported watching movies from the horror genre to get into the spooky mood of isolation.
No matter how anyone did it, all of these valid responses are just that—valid—as it got them through the madness of quarantine. It even goes to show that—if someone did not know beforehand, then they know now—Roanoke College is filled with both diverse and likeminded people no matter what they are here for.
