Why Are They Like This? 8 Toxic Fandoms That Make Good Anime Look Bad

Anime fandoms can be some of the most passionate and dedicated communities in media, but that passion can sometimes twist into a dark obsession. Some fanbases are infamous for their toxicity, engaging in endless arguments, gatekeeping, and even harassment of creators and fellow fans. While every fandom has positive aspects, some have gained a reputation for being more hostile than others. Thus, an unfortunate side effect emerges, where newcomers to the genre actively avoid well-known anime to avoid engaging with longtime fans, or worse–becoming like them.

Whether it’s excessive gatekeeping, power-scaling debates, or relentless harassment, these fandoms have gained reputations for being some of the most exhausting to engage with. Many arguments form naturally, due to sheer size, or years of built-up rivalry between factions of differing opinion, but the discourse often devolves into indefensible name-calling and degradation. Of course, not every fan contributes to this toxicity, but it’s clear that these communities have their fair share of “squeaky wheels” looking for a fight. From longstanding series like Dragon Ball to relatively new hits such as Jujutsu Kaisen, these are the anime with the most out-of-control fandoms.

8 Attack on Titan (2013 - 2023)

Produced by Wit Studio and MAPPA, Based on Manga Written by Hajime Isayama

Attack on Titan

First Film: Attack on Titan: The Crimson Bow and Arrow
Created by: Hajime Isayama

Attack on Titan is one of the most critically acclaimed anime of the past decade, but its fandom is also one of the most divisive. Fans constantly argue over the series’ underlying themes, with heated debates about whether it glorifies or condemns nationalism. The discourse around Eren Yeager’s character has led to intense infighting, with different factions of the fandom aggressively defending their interpretations. When the final season aired, disagreements over the adaptation’s quality and ending led to harassment campaigns against the animation staff and creator Hajime Isayama.

Custom image of Eren and Mikasa in Attack on Titan

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Spoilers are another major issue within the abusive relations of the fandom. Manga readers have a long history of ruining key twists for anime-only viewers, sometimes intentionally posting spoilers just to provoke reactions. Meanwhile, some fans treat manga readers as if only Attack on Titan's anime matters, belittling other series and dismissing criticisms as invalid. While there are many passionate and respectful fans, the toxicity surrounding Attack on Titan is hard to ignore.

7 My Hero Academia (2016 - Present)

Produced by Bones, Based on Manga Written by Kohei Horikoshi

My Hero Academia

First Film: My Hero Academia: Two Heroes (2018)
Movie(s): My Hero Academia: Two Heroes (2018), My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising (2019), My Hero Academia: World Heroes' Mission (2021)

My Hero Academia is a beloved modern Shōnen anime, but its fandom has become infamous for its toxic infighting. One of the biggest problems is the extreme shipping wars, where fans aggressively attack anyone who doesn’t support their favorite romantic pairings. People have allegedly gone as far as sending death threats to fellow fans, artists, and voice actors over perceived slights or developments contradicting their own headcanon. The harassment has driven some creators to distance themselves from the community entirely, which punishes congenial fans.

The final season of My Hero Academia premieres in October 2025.

Beyond shipping, the fandom tends to over-hype the series and lash out at any criticism. Some will defend the anime no matter what, attacking anyone who points out pacing issues, lack of world-building, or poor female characterization. The toxic side of the fandom also includes those who harass and pressure cosplayers, especially when they don’t adhere to a certain aesthetic or picture-perfect accuracy.

6 One Piece (1999 - Present)

Produced by Toei Animation, Based on Manga Written by Eiichiro Oda

One Piece

First Film: One Piece: The Movie
Created by: Eiichiro Oda

One Piece has an enormous fandom. Unfortunately, that also means it has its fair share of toxicity, as some fans are notorious for gatekeeping, looking down on newcomers, and insisting that the only way to truly enjoy the series is to read the manga. If someone dares to say One Piece isn’t for them or is too much of a commitment, they are bombarded with aggressive replies demanding they "just wait until it gets good.”

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Another problematic tendency is spoiling major plot twists. Because One Piece has been running for over two decades, fans who are fully caught up often forget (or don’t care) that newer viewers are still working through the story. Fans even use spoilers as a way to assert dominance over others in discussions and bully their peers out of liking the series at all.

5 Jujutsu Kaisen (2020 - Present)

Produced by MAPPA, Based on Manga Written by Gege Akutami

Jujutsu Kaisen

Created by: Gege Akutami
First Film: Jujutsu Kaisen 0
Latest Film: Jujutsu Kaisen 0
First TV Show: Jujutsu Kaisen
Latest TV Show: Jujutsu Kaisen
Upcoming TV Shows: Jujutsu Kaisen

Jujutsu Kaisen is a Japanese anime and manga series created by Gege Akutami. The story is set in a world where Cursed Spirits, born from negative human emotions, prey on humanity. It follows high school student Yuji Itadori as he becomes entangled in the world of Jujutsu Sorcery after swallowing a cursed talisman—Ryomen Sukuna's finger—and becomes the host for one of the most powerful curses. Yuji joins the Tokyo Metropolitan Magic Technical College to learn how to combat curses while searching for the remaining fingers of Sukuna to exorcise him permanently.

Despite being a relatively new anime, Jujutsu Kaisen has already built one of the most passionate fandoms in anime. One of the biggest issues is the community’s intense shipping discourse, which often turns into harassment. Fans have been known to attack each other over their preferred ships–like Gojo and Geto, or Yuji and Megumi–turning what should be a fun discussion into a deathmatch. This has also led to harassment of artists who draw fan art that some parts of the fandom disapprove of. Most unfortunately, the bulk of their reasoning drills down to homophobia.

Additionally, the fandom has developed a bad habit of over-hyping characters and arcs to the point where any criticism is met with hostility. Some fans insist that Jujutsu Kaisen is the greatest anime of all time and will aggressively shut down anyone who disagrees. The toxicity has also spilled into debates about animation quality, with fans either blindly defending the series or ruthlessly attacking its animators when production issues arise.

4 Naruto (2002 - 2017) and Boruto (2016 - Present)

Both Produced by Studio Pierrot and Based on the Manga/Light Novel by Masashi Kishimoto, Ukyo Kodachi and Mikio Ikemoto

Naruto

First Film: Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow
Latest Film: Boruto: Naruto the Movie

The Naruto fandom has been around for decades now, and with that longevity comes a lot of toxicity. One of the biggest sources of conflict is the never-ending power-scaling debates, with fans constantly arguing over who the strongest character is. Some fans take this so seriously that they attack others for having different opinions, leading to endless online bickering. Since many grew up watching the series, there’s also a lot of hostility toward anyone who critiques the series, with die-hard fans dismissing valid criticisms as hate.

The transition from Naruto to Boruto has only added to the toxicity. Many older fans refuse to acknowledge Boruto as a worthy successor, while Boruto fans often retaliate by claiming it surpasses Naruto, which is "slow and dated." This has created a deep divide in the fandom, with both sides attacking each other instead of simply enjoying their preferred series or learning to appreciate the other.

3 Dragon Ball (1986 - Present)

Produced by Toei Animation, Based on Manga Written by Akira Toriyama and Toyotarou

Dragon Ball

Created by: Akira Toriyama
First Film: Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies

Dragon Ball has one of the most dedicated fanbases in anime history, but it’s also one of the most exhausting. Power-scaling debates are a staple of the fandom, with endless arguments over whether Goku could beat characters from other franchises. Some fans take these debates way too seriously, leading to aggressive fights that often spill over into other anime communities.

The fandom also has a reputation for being dismissive of newer anime, often acting as if Dragon Ball’s longevity is equivalent to its quality.

Whenever a new Dragon Ball movie or series is announced, fans flood social media with unrealistic expectations, only to lash out when their demands aren’t met. The fandom also has a reputation for being dismissive of newer anime, often acting as if Dragon Ball’s longevity is equivalent to its quality. The toxic side of the fandom can make it difficult for newcomers to casually voice opinions without being overwhelmed by arguments and hostility.

2 Hunter x Hunter (1999 - 2004, 2011 - 2014)

Produced by Madhouse, Studio Pierrot, and Nippon Animation, Based on Manga Written by Yoshihiro Togashi

Hunter X Hunter

Created by: Yoshihiro Togashi
First Film: Hunter x Hunter: Phantom Rouge

Despite being a critically acclaimed anime, Hunter x Hunter has developed a toxic side to its fandom. One of the biggest issues is the perceived superiority complex that some fans have, often belittling other Shōnen anime like Naruto and One Piece as "simple" by comparison. This leads to unnecessary conflicts with other anime communities, making discussions about Hunter x Hunter more serious, and combative, than they need to be.

Another common problem is the constant bashing of the different anime adaptations. Some fans insist that the 2011 version is the only way to experience Hunter x Hunter, while others prefer the 1999 series' slower pacing and more traditional storytelling. Squabbles about the superior version of the anime aside, the most egregious behavior of the fandom comes from those who feel entitled to make demands about Togashi's work and attack him online for manga delays and missed engagements due to health issues.

1 Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood (2003 - 2004, 2009 - 2010)

Produced by Bones and Aniplex, Based on Manga Written by Hiromu Arakawa

Collage of Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is widely regarded as one of the greatest anime of all time. The unfortunate side effect of that quality is a fandom that is incredibly elitist. Many fans insist that Brotherhood is superior to the 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist anime and will aggressively argue with anyone who disagrees or prefers the latter. This dismissive attitude has led to unnecessary hostility, making it difficult for fans of both adaptations to coexist peacefully.

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Another major issue is the fandom’s obsession with Brotherhood’s ranking on MyAnimeList. Whenever another anime comes close to dethroning it as the top-rated series, some fans engage in review-bombing campaigns to maintain its number-one spot. This behavior has led to the reputation of Fullmetal Alchemist fans becoming the kind of authoritarians the series warns against.

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