Want to learn patience? Try being a fan of something

A friend became a manga reader since I introduced Historie, House Husband, Spy x Family to her. Two weeks ago, I purchased the newly released Spy x Family volume 4. She finished it in an hour, then stared into space for a few seconds.

"So, I have to wait another 4 months for the next volume?"

I understand that feelings extremely well.

I recommend her to read the chapter continuation in Manga Plus, but she dislikes the per-chapter update and prefer the tankobon (per volume physical copy).

"You comic readers are really patient, huh," she said.

It struck me good, she had a point.

Manga readers wait for weekly, or bi-weekly chapter update. For some 16-20 pages that only takes 3 minutes tops to read. Some people wait for monthly release. Some are even more... challenging (talking to you, Hunter x Hunter).

I'm still waiting for Glass Mask update since 2012. In a few months, we can even throw one decade anniversary of the hiatus.

Anime watchers got it harder, I guess. Another season could take YEARS. That is, if studios really plan to have a new season.

When I think about it further, TV shows fans also wait for years for another season. Some even hanging on faint hope. Some others had to deal with rushed endings because the show's canceled. K-pop fans wait for months and years for their idols' comeback. Novel readers? Heck, decades, perhaps.

If you're a fan of something that continues periodically, high chance that you have higher tolerance and patience than average people (said my prejudice, with no studies or science whatsoever to back it up).

Although, I know who gets it the hardest. Sending my online hugs and head pats for my fanfic reader fellows.

Cause you know, that one amazing fanfic that left HANGING then you realized the latest update was like, 8 years ago?

The author might have forgotten what they have written, they might even already married, had five kids who are now all in school, lived in the suburb, retired and enjoying slow life? You have no way to voice your void, to share the emptiness, and to file complaints.

Bruh.