Most anime artists start off pretty young. I had the choice when I was 15 to continue with doing animation that entailed going to a very good art school, or going to a private school for academics. My mother firmly decided that one. A friend of mine did continue on, and now is a comic book artist for Marvel. (does some of the unlimited covers)
Alas most of my skill in drawing has lapsed, although I paint all the time, most of the time using anime themes.