Are you a student in dire need of some ani-motivation? Just burnt out, exhausted. Campus fit giving off-duty Aizawa. Surviving on violently inspirational anime OSTs and dollar store ramen. Motivation deep in the shadow realm. You’re not alone. We’ve all been there. And I’m here to tell you: there’s hope. I caught up with five anime fans from the graduating class of 2024 to discuss their anime-themed graduation caps — true emblems of their passion, perseverance, and achievement. By channeling the fierce determination of a plucky shonen protagonist like Monkey D. Luffy or the primordial wisdom of a foggy swamp sage to guide them, these students demonstrate how anime and anime-inspired narratives can catalyze success and personal growth. They remind us that the strength and resilience we admire in our favorite characters can be harnessed to overcome real-life challenges. This Fall, let these grads be a source of some much-needed academic ani-motivation!