SHAZ
THE ANIME MOM
In the fast-paced world of TikTok, where trends change almost as quickly as a “Kamehameha” is uttered, one creator has found a unique way to carve out a niche for herself. Known to her followers as ThatAnimeMom, Shaz has seamlessly blended her passion for anime with the realities and joys of parenting, creating a platform that resonates with both parents and proud anime fans.
Not many know that Shaz, the woman behind the TikTok handle ThatAnimeMom, didn’t always set out to be the content creator she is today. A dentist by training, Shaz found herself disillusioned with her career, and after giving birth to her daughter, she realised that her true passion lay elsewhere. Feeling creatively stifled in her job, she began to seek an outlet for her creativity.
It was during the pandemic that she stumbled upon TikTok, a platform that seemed to offer a fresh way to share her interests with the world. Anime had always been a part of Shaz’s life. As a child, she was first introduced to anime through the series Ninja Robots at the age of 11, where she felt an immediate connection to the characters. Her love for the genre deepened during her teenage years when she became an avid fan of Bleach.
When she first joined TikTok, Shaz was captivated by the cosplay content she saw but didn’t feel ready to join in herself. However, by 2021, she felt encouraged to showcase her love for anime more boldly. This newfound resolve led her to mainstream anime content on her page.
Shaz rebranded herself with a more personal username, ThatAnimeMom, which truly reflected both her identity as a mother and her love for anime. From there, her TikTok success began to take off.
For Shaz, balancing motherhood and anime passion is not a challenge but a natural expression of who she is. She does not see the need to “balance” the two, as both parts of her life exist seamlessly. Her content is simply a reflection of her true self, with no specific niche or audience in mind. Every video is a piece of Shaz, a snapshot of her personality and experiences.
Her family is a big influence on her creativity. Shaz often draws inspiration from her own life, using sarcastic and dark humor to reflect the unique dynamics of brown families. Many of her videos explore these relatable cultural nuances, drawing on events from her own experiences. Along with the characters, it is the style, artistry, storytelling, and compelling plots that keep Shaz captivated by anime to this day.
Two animes that hold a special place in Shaz’s heart are Nana and Haikyuu!! Nana, a manga series by Ai Yazawa, explores the bonds of friendship and love between two women named Nana. Although the manga has been on hiatus for several years, its themes of connection and loyalty still resonate deeply with Shaz. On the other hand, Haikyuu!!, which gained immense popularity in 2020, is a source of inspiration for Shaz. It offers not only serotonin but also motivation, and whenever she feels down, a few episodes or fan edits can lift her spirits.
When creating content, Shaz doesn’t overthink it. She finds inspiration in trends or content that sparks her interest, whether it’s a current anime she’s watching or a specific character she’s drawn to, like Gojo from Jujutsu Kaisen. She also loves using humorous audios or music that fits with an anime character, creating a wide variety of content that spans from comedic and sarcastic to emotionally charged.
What truly amazed Shaz when she started creating anime-based content was the size and vibrancy of the anime community. While it has its share of both positive and negative aspects, she finds it inspiring and humbling. Through this community, she has made incredible friends, some of whom live in different parts of the world. They stay connected and support each other in their creative pursuits. Shaz’s most memorable experiences have often been at Comic-Con events, where fans approach her with admiration for her cosplay. These interactions continue to give her confidence, knowing that her work is inspiring others to express themselves and embrace their own creativity.
Growing up in the UAE, anime was often seen as a “strange” hobby, especially when she was younger and watching what was referred to as “Chinese cartoons.” However, when she attended Comic-Con for the first time in 2022, she was astonished by the level of dedication people put into their cosplay, something she hadn’t expected in the UAE. This experience made her realise that anime has a global reach and serves as a shared language among people from diverse cultures. She has been particularly moved by how fans have connected anime to current political and social movements, such as the character Luffy from One Piece, who fights for freedom and rejects oppressive systems.
Shaz believes that as a brown woman, when people disapprove of your actions, it’s often a sign that you’re on the right path. Today, Shaz remains unapologetically herself, creating content that reflects her true identity, without fear of disappointing others.
Collaborating with fellow cosplayers is one of Shaz’s favourite aspects of content creation. She enjoys the process of brainstorming ideas and creating videos that highlight the creativity of everyone involved. Though she doesn’t have a specific brand she is eager to collaborate with, Shaz has a soft spot for gaming brands, particularly Tekken, a game she loved in her childhood.
In terms of partnerships, one that is especially meaningful to Shaz is her role as an ambassador for the Middle East Comic-Con, a position she’s held since 2022. This event holds a special place in her heart, as it allows her to connect with fans who know her through her cosplays and content.
As for the future, Shaz is excited to continue creating and refining her content. She hopes to be invited to cosplay events around the world, just as many professional cosplayers are. While she has plans for something new, it’s currently under wraps, so fans will have to wait and see what’s next.
Shaz’s advice to aspiring content creators is simple: Just start. Don’t worry about what others think or feel pressured to be perfect. Whether it’s a simple trend or a creative video, taking the first step is key. Over time, you’ll evolve, improve, and find your voice. And most importantly, stay true to yourself. Authenticity is what resonates with audiences, and you never know who might be inspired by your journey.
by Diya Vora
