When I was younger and in high school back in the early 2000's only the "nerds" liked anime and talking about it or watching it instantly made you one of the weird kids so I had to hide the fact that I liked anime. I've noticed these days that isn't an issue and it's considered mainstream and lots of people watch it, you don't automatically get beat up by someone for watching it anymore.
This right here is the same for me ^ I have several interactions with people who also have saw something anime themed I have on and say something like "cool shirt dude" or will start talking about the anime even if I don't know them so it seems to be something of a conversation starter anymore.