7 Types Of Fans That Make The Anime Community TOXIC

I’ve been in “the anime community” for over 2 years now.

Before that, I was a casual watcher of anime, but never got into forums, blogging, business or anything of the sort.

I’m surprised and even baffled at how a large part of the anime community can be so… toxic.

Or what I should say is – the minority who ruins it for the majority.

In fact – no later than yesterday I experienced it first-hand. So let’s talk about that.

Fans Who Make The Anime Community Toxic:

1. The “know it all”

I see it all the time.

The type of fan who “bashes” your opinions and then goes on to explain why they’re “right”. Despite having no knowledge about what they’re talking about.

I’ve seen people go to lengths to prove they’re right, and even go as far as belittle, insult, and then treat ME like I’m the problem.

I’ve also had people argue about how big the anime industry is, and use a video game to make their point, not realizing a video games success has nothing to do with the anime industry.

That’s how caught up these people are in trying to be “right”.

It all comes from a place of insecurity and wanting to feel important.

2. The “elitist”

Similar to point #1, the elitist will do whatever it takes to belittle, argue, and make you feel “small” to make themselves feel more important.

I’ve seen it enough times that it makes me wanna throw up.

Like the “sub” elitists (the worst kind) who claim:

You’re deranged.
Stupid.
Have no idea what you’re talking about.
Or how “there must be something wrong with you” for not liking a subbed anime series.

The same fans who have the audacity to believe: if you like a certain anime, they’re somehow better than you. Because only losers like SAO, right? 😉

Sorry mate, you’re not fooling anyone.

You have no self-esteem, that’s why you’re so desperate to stroke your glass ego.

3. The “I don’t wanna admit you’re right, so I’ll argue about something that’s irrelevant”

I’ve answered 1000’s of questions about anime online.

Almost always someone will comment with something like “but the Manga.

I’ve also seen people comment something out of context just because they don’t want to agree (even if it’s based on statistical facts).

Is being right REALLY so important? I mean sh**. If I’m wrong, I can admit it.

That’s how I learn. That’s how you build confidence.

The false premise of needing to be right is only proof of an insecurity these trolls are hiding.

4. The “self-righteous” crybaby

On Quora – I answered a question about the types of anime I would not recommend.

Tons of people took it as a personal attack, as if I was targeting them specifically… and went out of their way to “sh*t on me” as one loser put it.

And on here (and elsewhere online) I’ve been attacked for disagreeing with a series. Or “not” bowing down to public opinion when I don’t agree with it.

Wake up call: the world doesn’t revolve around you. This takes me to my next point…

5. The “sheep” who criticize you for being honest

What bothers me about society in general, is how politically correct most people are.

When did the world get so fu*** soft?

It’s entertainment for F’s sake, it’s SUPPOSED to be about your opinions of what you think is good or bad.

It’s not scientific.

Some anime fans play it safe and only talk about anime shows that “everybody else likes” to avoid criticism.

But the flip side is – when you give an honest opinion about an anime (especially if it’s popular), these same fans demonize and belittle you for it.

It’s stunning how anime fans care so much about what others think, that they’ll belittle you just because you have the GUTS to share what they’re too afraid to say.

And even worse: they’ll “only” talk about anime people agree with to avoid criticism, even though they themselves dislike the anime they’re recommending.

Even some anime sites and blogs do it.

What’s up with that? I see this behaviour on Reddit as well.

6. Racists

Racist anime fans… #Facepalm pic.twitter.com/xWoPDtbTcr
— Chip Fox (@chipfoxx) May 2, 2016

What I’m discovering tonight is racist anime fans feel they are better than racist My Little Pony fans. Narcissism of small differences!
— Jeet Heer (@HeerJeet) January 21, 2016

There’s a major issue with racism in the 21st century. It’s what they call “institutional” racism, which means: racism that happens in the background, so you can’t verify it.

It’s subtle but dangerous. And people pretend it doesn’t exist, which makes it justified.

One example is an anime site that used to “share” and even link to Anime Motivation.

Strangely – the moment I signed up to their website to contribute content (my face was visible), not only was it never published… they stopped sharing and linking back to Anime Motivation all together.

This was long before Anime Motivation gained any popularity at all.

It makes sense when you consider there’s almost no black people with large websites in the anime community, besides myself.

And of those anime sites run by black people – almost all of them “hide” their identity.

The same is true of anime fans and creators of other races and cultures.

So yes – it does happen, you just don’t see it because it’s not made public or done vocally.

Instead, it’s proven by people’s actions. This is even worse in the “cosplay” community from what I understand.

7. Sexism

Where are all the women in the anime community?

Don’t misunderstand what’s being said. I know there’s a “small” portion of anime sites run by women, though few of them are big enough to mention, which tells a story in itself.

And I know there are female anime fans on forums who share their thoughts and opinions.

But… you’d be surprised how few do that, and how the male-dominated communities treat women anime fans in particular.

Worth reading:

Sexism in the Anime Fandom: A Case Study of a Tumblr User

Why are a lot of otakus sexist?

Even here on Anime Motivation, where anyone’s welcome to leave comments, most comments are from men, not women.

And yet I know they exist because around 36% of my audience are women!