"It fully had my mind off things": Kai Cenat gets candid about anime's impact on his life

Fanatics Fest NYC 2025 - Source: Getty
Kai Cenat at Fanatics Fest NYC 2025 - Source: Getty

Kai Cenat is known for his high-energy streams and record-breaking subathons. Millions watch him daily on Twitch and other platforms. But behind the screen, Cenat has also dealt with stress, pressure, and personal struggles.

During a recent break from streaming, Cenat opened up about how anime became an unexpected source of comfort for him. He shared that shows like Naruto and Death Note helped him mentally reset. Anime gave him space to breathe when life felt heavy.

Cenat admitted that he once judged anime without giving it a real chance. Over time, that view changed. He now says anime helped him reflect on his own life and mindset.

As he put it, “It felt weird because in a way it was speaking directly to me.”

Kai Cenat on finding comfort in Anime during a difficult time

Kai Cenat said anime entered his life at a moment when he needed distraction and peace. After intense streaming periods, including major marathon events, he felt drained. He explained that watching anime helped him step away from daily stress.

Kai Cenat admitted that he never made time for anime before. His schedule was packed with content creation and public appearances. Once he finally sat down to watch, the experience surprised him. The stories helped him stay present.

One show that stood out was Death Note. He acknowledged that it may seem like an unusual comfort watch. The story, music, and mental battles kept his attention and helped him disconnect from his worries. In a series of tweets, he revealed:

“Anime has always been something I wanted to get myself into but I never had the time to try and actually watch. But when I did, without me realizing anime was able to take me into another world that I can relate to. It felt weird because in a way it was speaking directly to me.”
“I know death note is a weird anime to mention it bringing happiness but it was the first anime I began watching and fully had my mind off things and truly entertaining, from plots between Light and L to the soundtracks to overall a good show.”
“I use to think anime was weird and think it was just a cartoon but it has helped me build way more courage than I ever had before & Im only on the 2nd season. Naruto is a prime example of someone who truly believes in chasing your dreams, following your heart and never giving up.” he said

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Lessons from Naruto and a shift in perspective

Celebrity Sightings In Beverly Hills - September 20, 2025 - Source: Getty
Celebrity Sightings In Beverly Hills - September 20, 2025 - Source: Getty

Kai Cenat also spoke at length about Naruto and how the series changed his mindset. Before watching, he admitted he misunderstood anime.

“I used to think anime was weird and think it was just a cartoon,” he said. That belief faded as he followed Naruto’s journey.

Kai Cenat connected with the message of persistence in the show. Naruto’s struggles and determination resonated with his own path.

“Naruto is a prime example of someone who truly believes in chasing your dreams,” Cenat shared.

He added that the character’s mindset felt real and relatable.

Even though he is only early into the series, the impact has been strong. Cenat said anime helped him build confidence.

“It has helped me build way more courage than I ever had before,” he explained.

For him, anime became more than entertainment. It became a reminder to trust his instincts and keep moving forward.

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Edited by Yesha Srivastava