Is anime gatekeeping killing fandom growth?

Anime has exploded into global popularity over the past two decades. No longer confined to niche communities or late-night cable, anime now fills streaming platforms, sells out movie theaters, and dominates social media trends. With hits like Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Attack on Titan drawing massive international audiences, the fandom has never been larger or more diverse.

But behind the surface of this global success lies a growing tension: gatekeeping.

From mocking “newbies” who just discovered anime through My Hero Academia, to dismissing entire genres like romance or slice-of-life, many longtime fans enforce unspoken rules about what counts as “real” anime fandom.

This begs the question:
Is anime gatekeeping killing fandom growth?

Is the community eating itself from the inside, alienating new voices and perspectives in the process?

What Is Anime Gatekeeping?

Gatekeeping is when people attempt to control access to a community, culture, or identity—by setting arbitrary standards of legitimacy.

In anime, this manifests as:

• Mocking newcomers for only watching popular shows (“That’s baby’s first anime”).

• Shaming fans who don’t know Japanese terms or studio names.

• Criticizing preferences, especially in genres like romance, slice-of-life, or shoujo.

• Policing cosplay, especially when someone doesn’t look like the character’s race or body type.

• Using obscure knowledge to discredit someone’s “fan status.”

It often stems from a place of nostalgia or defensiveness. For years, anime was considered “weird” in the West. Fans who stuck with it in its underground days might feel protective now that it’s mainstream. But that defensiveness can quickly become toxic.

The Elitism of “True Fans”

One of the most common forms of gatekeeping is the “true fan” complex—where long-time fans believe they have earned the right to judge who belongs in the fandom.

Signs of this include:

• Ranking fans by the number of shows they’ve seen.

• Shaming people who only watch dubbed versions.

• Mocking new fans for not knowing classics like Neon Genesis Evangelion or Cowboy Bebop.

• Gatekeeping based on gender, especially when women express love for genres like yaoi, shoujo, or romance.

This “elitism” isn’t about love for the medium—it’s about control.

And ironically, it flies in the face of what anime is about: empathy, growth, acceptance, and breaking boundaries.

Fandom Should Be a Gateway—Not a Gate

Every fan starts somewhere.

Whether it’s Naruto, Tokyo Ghoul, or Spy x Family, entry points into anime don’t have to be obscure or “prestigious” to be valid. In fact, the accessibility of anime through platforms like Crunchyroll, Netflix, and YouTube is exactly what fuels its growth.

When we discourage new fans from sharing their excitement just because they haven’t watched Death Note or Fullmetal Alchemist, we close the door on people who might otherwise become lifelong fans—or even future creators.

Fandom should be a welcoming space. Not a test.

Diversity Is Not a Threat—It’s the Future

Gatekeeping often targets fans who don’t fit the traditional mold: women, LGBTQ+ fans, fans of color, or people who love less “hardcore” genres.

Let’s be real: anime is global now. Its fanbase spans cultures, languages, genders, and experiences. Pretending there’s only one “right” way to enjoy anime is both ridiculous and self-destructive.

• Cosplay isn’t just for one race or body type.

• Loving romance doesn’t make you less of a fan.

• Shipping characters isn’t ruining the fandom.

• You can be a fan even if you don’t memorize every episode or studio name.

By rejecting this diversity, gatekeepers are pushing away the very people who help anime evolve and stay relevant.

The Internet: Amplifier or Antidote?

Social media has both expanded and fractured anime fandom.

Platforms like Twitter, Reddit, TikTok, and Discord give fans the chance to connect, collaborate, and celebrate. But they also provide easy tools for exclusion and criticism. Quote tweets, “anime hot takes,” and fandom wars can become feeding grounds for gatekeeping behavior.

On TikTok, it’s not uncommon to see people getting dogpiled for saying Attack on Titan is their favorite anime—or being told their opinion “doesn’t count” if they haven’t watched older shows.

But there’s hope: many newer fans are pushing back. They’re building inclusive spaces, calling out toxicity, and creating community-driven content that celebrates entry-level fandom just as much as deep lore dives.

The internet doesn’t have to divide us. It can amplify what makes fandom great—shared love, creative passion, and dialogue across differences.

Case Study: Shonen vs Slice-of-Life

One clear example of gatekeeping is the dismissive attitude some fans have toward “softer” genres.

While action-packed shonen like Demon Slayer or Jujutsu Kaisen are often praised, shows like Your Name, Horimiya, or Barakamon are seen as “less serious” or “for casuals.”

This not only reinforces gendered stereotypes—that action is superior to emotion—it also narrows the definition of what anime can be. Emotional storytelling is just as valid as combat arcs. In fact, it’s often more relatable and layered.

Gatekeeping isn’t just about people—it’s also about limiting the types of stories we allow to be celebrated.

Consequences of Gatekeeping

Gatekeeping doesn’t just hurt individuals—it harms the community as a whole.

1. It Slows Fandom Growth

New fans hesitate to speak up, post fanart, or attend cons. That fear of ridicule shrinks participation.

2. It Kills Creativity

If only “serious fans” are allowed to have opinions, we lose the diverse interpretations that make fandom vibrant.

3. It Drives Fans Away

Many walk away entirely, feeling like there’s no space for them. This is especially true for marginalized fans.

4. It Traps the Medium in the Past

New ideas, creators, and genres often come from the edge—not the center. Gatekeeping cuts off evolution at the root.

Moving Forward: How to Fight the Gate

Anime fandom doesn’t need more walls. It needs more bridges.

Here’s how we can help:

• Celebrate entry points: Everyone starts somewhere. Be excited for others discovering your favorites.

• Correct, don’t condescend: If someone gets something wrong, share knowledge—don’t mock.

• Expand your tastes: Try genres you wouldn’t normally explore. It widens your empathy and perspective.

• Support diverse creators: Follow and uplift women, LGBTQ+, and creators of color in the anime space.

• Use your platform wisely: Whether you have 5 followers or 500k, model the kind of fandom you want to see.

Conclusion

Gatekeeping may be born from love of the medium—but it’s sustained by fear and ego. And ultimately, it does far more harm than good.

Anime is too vast, too beautiful, and too universal to be owned by any one group. It thrives on change, on new blood, on fresh eyes discovering old classics for the first time.

So the next time you see someone call Naruto their favorite anime, don’t roll your eyes. Welcome them in. Share what you love. Ask what they love.

Because the true power of fandom isn’t in knowing more than someone else—it’s in growing together.