The dark side of anime fandom: toxic fans & harassment

Anime has grown from a niche subculture into a global pop culture powerhouse. From My Hero Academia merchandise in major retailers to Attack on Titan finales crashing streaming platforms, it’s clear that anime fandom is bigger and louder than ever. But with that surge in visibility comes an uncomfortable truth: anime fandom has a dark side.

What once was a community built on shared love for animated storytelling has increasingly become a battleground of gatekeeping, harassment, and toxic behavior. Ask any anime creator, cosplayer, or even casual fan who dared express a controversial opinion on social media—they’ll likely have a story about being harassed, dogpiled, or ostracized for simply having a different take.

Whether it’s toxic shippers sending death threats, obsessive fans attacking voice actors, or elitists gatekeeping who’s allowed to “really” be a fan, these issues are widespread. This isn’t just a few “bad apples”—there’s a pattern, and it reflects deeper issues within fandom culture.

we’ll explore

• The roots and rise of toxicity in online spaces

• Gatekeeping and elitism within communities

• Harassment of creators and cosplayers

• Misogyny, racism, and identity-based attacks

• And how we, as fans, can shift the narrative

Toxic Positivity: When Passion Turns Obsessive

Anime fans are passionate—and that’s a beautiful thing. But in certain corners of fandom, that passion morphs into obsession, where defending a favorite show or character becomes a crusade.

Examples include:

• Attack on Titan fans attacking others over interpretations of Eren’s motives

• My Hero Academia shippers sending creators threats for not “canonizing” their ships

• Tokyo Ghoul fans doxxing reviewers who gave negative opinions about the anime

This isn’t just emotional investment—it’s entitlement. Fans begin to believe they own the work, and when the creators or fellow fans disagree with their perspective, they lash out. It creates an environment where disagreement isn’t just unpopular—it’s dangerous.

Gatekeeping: Who “Gets” to Be an Anime Fan?

One of the most common forms of toxicity is gatekeeping—deciding who is a “real” anime fan. This often shows up as:

• Dismissing people who only watch mainstream shows like Naruto or Demon Slayer

• Mocking new fans for not knowing obscure anime trivia

• Policing how women or LGBTQ+ fans engage with content

• Accusing others of being “fake fans” based on how they dress, look, or express their fandom

This toxic elitism discourages new viewers and contributes to a culture of exclusion. Ironically, many gatekeepers were once the outcasts themselves, now flipping the power dynamic to control access to what should be a shared love.

Harassment of Creators: When the Fandom Attacks Its Own

You’d think anime creators would be immune to toxicity from fans—they’re giving people the content they love, after all. But in recent years, many writers, voice actors, and animators have faced online abuse from the very people who consume their work.

Notable incidents:

• My Hero Academia’s creator Kohei Horikoshi was harassed for a character’s name, accused of referencing war crimes

• Voice actors from Chainsaw Man and Attack on Titan have received disturbing messages simply for their characters’ storylines

• Tokyo Ghoul‘s creator, Sui Ishida, deleted his social media due to intense criticism and toxic backlash

Creators deserve space to explore narratives without fearing harassment from fans who don’t get what they want.

Cosplay and Gendered Harassment

Cosplay is one of the most joyful forms of anime fandom—but it’s also become a magnet for toxic, discriminatory behavior, especially toward women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

Common forms of harassment include:

• Policing cosplay accuracy (“That character isn’t Black” or “You’re too fat for that”)

• Sexual harassment and inappropriate photography at conventions

• Demeaning comments based on gender or presentation

Many cosplayers have spoken out about being groped, followed, or publicly shamed at events. Despite anime being a medium that celebrates creativity, the cosplay community is often held hostage by those who treat it like a competition—or worse, a hunting ground.

Misogyny, Racism, and Identity Attacks

Anime fandom is not exempt from broader societal biases. In fact, its relative anonymity often amplifies those prejudices.

• Black anime fans are often ridiculed for cosplaying non-Black characters

• Women critics and creators are frequently talked over, harassed, or reduced to sexual objects

• Queer fans face attacks for engaging with content in ways that challenge heteronormative assumptions

Online spaces like Reddit, Discord servers, and Twitter can become echo chambers where casual sexism and racism go unchecked. These communities may glorify certain characters while demonizing others purely based on their gender or presentation—revealing a deeper discomfort with difference.

Shipping Wars and Fan Entitlement

Shipping—romanticizing character pairings—is fun and harmless until it becomes all-consuming. Some fans take it to dangerous extremes:

• Sending death threats to fans who ship rival pairings

• Harassing creators or demanding they “make a ship canon”

• Weaponizing identity politics to justify bullying

The My Hero Academia fandom, in particular, has become notorious for this, but it’s not the only one. Fans of Black Clover, Haikyuu, and even Demon Slayer have fallen into similar behavior, where shipping becomes a battleground instead of a celebration.

Why Does This Happen?

Several factors feed toxicity in anime fandom:

1. Parasocial relationships: Fans feel personally connected to characters or creators and take any disagreement as a betrayal.

2. Anonymity: Online platforms allow people to harass others with few consequences.

3. Echo chambers: Communities often become insulated and intolerant of differing opinions.

4. Cultural glorification of obsession: “True fans” are praised for being extreme, often encouraging gatekeeping and harassment.

This blend of emotional intensity and unchecked behavior is what makes toxic fandom especially harmful.

How to Fight Back: Reclaiming Anime Fandom

Despite its dark corners, anime fandom can still be a space of creativity, connection, and joy—if we choose to make it so.

What Fans Can Do:

• Call out harassment when you see it

• Support diverse creators and marginalized cosplayers

• Avoid toxic echo chambers and forums that promote hate

• Engage respectfully, even when you disagree

What Platforms and Creators Can Do:

• Moderate communities and enforce anti-harassment policies

• Elevate diverse voices within fandoms

• Be transparent about the impact of fandom behavior

At its best, anime fandom is one of the most vibrant, passionate communities in pop culture. But we must all take responsibility for shaping that culture into something healthier and more welcoming.

Conclusion

Anime is more accessible than ever, and with that growth comes the responsibility to evolve fandom culture. Toxic fans and harassment are not “just part of the experience”—they are symptoms of a deeper rot that must be addressed.

It’s time we ask ourselves: are we fostering a community that uplifts creativity and connection—or one that punishes difference and disagreement?

The answer will shape the future of anime fandom