I've been into anime since I loving 9, though it definitely has gotten better over the years. Also I don't see why you choose anime as something to get into to look hip. A lot of people think that people we watch anime are weeaboos. Well, at least the people at my school.How do you call an anime lame when you've never watched it? It may sound lame but it's probably loving awesome.
There are 4 types of people who watch anime in my opinion:
1. Those that watch nothing, but subs because to them the Japanese language and culture is beautiful. Anything American would taint it.
2. Those who watch it just for the girls and lolicons
3. Those that only watch moeblob, slice of life, generic highschool anime
4. Those who watch to be entertained(like reading a book and watching tv).