Having an interest in anime and the like does not make one a nerd. It's a complete submersion in anime that makes one a nerd. I see no problem in this dude saying he doesn't want to be a nerd. But it would be a shame if he gave up something he was really interested in just to "fit in". I think what he has to do is look at his collection and separate the "like" from the "obsession".

And nerds are nerds because they have trouble socializing outside of their niche, not simply because they like nerdy or odd things. I understand that this fellow no longer wants to be defined by this hobby. There's nothing wrong with that. There is something wrong with never having any interests outside of the things you liked as a kid.