Well, dang it! Can you volunteer at an animal shelter, or animal hospital? You will meet others like you who are in to the critters, and you might just find a different friend. At the least, you will have something in common with them!

What kind of drawing do you do? Is it more anime like your profile shows, or something else? You know, I sometimes took summer school to take a class that I had no time to get during the regular school year, and got to meet other kids I wouldn't know otherwise. Or maybe volunteering at a museum?

Maybe your friend's mother will change her mind soon.
Ginger

Hey there! I just wanted to mention that anime has a whole lot of fans. My son made friends in an anime club that was held at our local library. Check out their calendar and if there isn't one, perhaps you or a parent can call to suggest it. Our library is always happy to take suggestions, especially for kids and teens. Hang in there.

You can make new friends.

I’m not certain about you but when I was in my early teens,the more I wanted something, the more elusive it was. Friends were so difficult to make because I think I had too many expectations. You have to deal with autism and I never had that additional hurdle.

The more I tried to make friends the harder it became. At the time I thought it was me, but looking back now I realize that I was different (6 ft. tall @ 13 yo) and changed schools almost every year so I lived as a perpetual new kid.

Because my height and shyness (and resulting stone face) I think most kids my age felt a little menaced by my presence. Add the puberty mix and I was a nervous wreck most of the time.

I think my point is I do not understand the challenges you face but they will pass and help shape how you relate to others struggling with the same issues. You’re going to learn and grow and be fine.