All one needs in life...

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...is, presumably, enjoyment, at the very least. Thus, for myself, either playing video games, watching anime or films, and reading stuff... and that is fulfillment, right? I mean, for the chance of real happiness, I suppose love could be required... but other than that if I just play a potentially infinite amount of ISOs and watch a potentially infinite amount of anime or films... my life is fulfilled, right? Also, I emphasize that they're potentially unlimited because otherwise the mind may end up thinking that there's a limit to fulfillment in life, even while alive... and that's kind of scary, I guess... but as these media keep being released I assume I'm not deceiving myself in thinking that the source is potentially unlimited.

I start with that thought. All you need is to enjoy life. Then that thought leads me to think that life is meaningless. I don't know how I get from your stance to nihilism but it feels like a very short jump from life is about enjoying things to life is pointless.

Are hedonism and nihilism so closely related or is it just me?

I believe that all we need to enjoy life and be happy is to train our mind to be content with whatever situation is in front of us at any given moment in time. Not to rely on burying ourselves in material things to find happiness. I am just as happy and content standing on the sidewalk all day watching insects, birds and animals do what they do naturally. I don't need anything in my hand to divert my attention from my own mind. How can anyone find happiness anywhere if they are incapable of spending time alone, in silence, simply observing and being aware of what arises within ones own mind. People are scared to death of themselves and will create and immerse themselves in any diversion available in order not to deal with what arises from the depths of their own minds. Cell phones, video games, music, chatter, texting, noise, constant motion,..anything but to sit quietly with only themselves as company.

You're so philosophical... I think I have a mind crush on you

And to the topic at hand... I think that the best existence is one of enjoyment, however, being content with simply existing without distractions such as video games and anime, (which I am not giving up, nor am I saying anyone should) is also a mark of lifetime happiness. I do not carry any devices such as smartphones with me when I go out because first of all I don't have one and second, I can entertain myself by simply enjoying my surroundings... or pointing out their flaws and thinking about how I would fix them

Agreed, dude. Good stuff

On some level, they're the same thing. Both the hedonist and the nihilist feel life has no inherent meaning, but the hedonist concludes that they can therefore maximise their own pleasure. I suspect many nihilists secretly like being miserable. It would explain the emo/goth thing.

The statement is self-referential, a tautology. Enjoyment is all one needs in life... in order to what? Well, to enjoy it, I presume.

Nihilism is seriously misunderstood/misinterpreted. When I see that term used it is generally associated with someone who is consumed and owned by materialism and capitalism attacking Zen Buddhism/ satori/nirvana/enlightenment and generalizing it all as nihilism, or people who in their opinion use the pursuit of understanding ones own mind, and ultimately existence itself, as an excuse not to participate in the consumerism/materialist rat race.

This generalization usually made by people who read one or two old Alan Watts or D T Suzuki books and think they are suddenly expert in eastern philosophy.

Life is eating, sleep, friendship, and sex.

If you're lacking in one of those categories, you're going to be depressed.