One Piece's massive length and legendary status have, unfortunately, fostered a sense of elitism in parts of its fanbase. Some long-time veterans heavily judge newer fans who haven't caught up with all the thousand-plus episodes, creating a strong "all or nothing" gatekeeping mentality. This attitude can be so off-putting that it sometimes drives potential fans away from the series altogether. | © Crunchyroll
Re:Zero is praised for subverting isekai tropes, but some of the fans take that praise a little too seriously. They often treat any criticism of the show or its main character Subaru as a complete misunderstanding of the story. This harsh, defensive attitude toward differing opinions can quickly turn newcomers away from the series entirely. | © Crunchyroll
The central joke of One Punch Man is that Saitama can defeat any enemy with a single punch, and a part of the fanbase has taken this concept to an exhausting extreme. They will passionately argue that Saitama's power is limitless and that he could effortlessly beat any character from any other fictional universe. These debates often dominate discussions, turning what is essentially a comedy series into a source of surprisingly toxic arguments. | © Viz Media
Mushoku Tensei features a protagonist whose predatory behavior is a core part of the story, sparking significant controversy. The fanbase is known for its defensive stance, often justifying his actions by citing the fantasy world's rules or promised future redemption. This has created a toxic environment where valid criticism is frequently dismissed, shutting down any real discussion. | © Crunchyroll
Chainsaw Man’s explosive popularity created a weird problem in its own fanbase. Some of the earliest fans act like gatekeepers, convinced that new viewers watching the anime will ruin the community. The real toxicity often comes from these fans themselves, who ironically become the very thing they complain about. | © Crunchyroll
Demon Slayer’s explosive success made it a prime target for a major backlash. While its dedicated fans often declared it a flawless masterpiece, critics from other fanbases dismissed it as overrated because of its simple story. This constant clash between extreme hype and strong resentment creates a uniquely toxic environment around the show. | © Crunchyroll
While celebrated for its complex story, the Hunter x Hunter fandom has a notorious streak of elitism. Some fans aggressively put down popular shonen like Naruto and One Piece as inferior, turning discussions into pointless arguments. This entitlement even extends to harassing the author over his health-related hiatuses, showcasing the fanbase's ugliest side. | © Crunchyroll
Jujutsu Kaisen's fame has fueled an intense obsession with the powerful Satoru Gojo. Some of his fans aggressively protest whenever the plot focuses on protagonist Yuji instead of their favorite. This entitlement also sparks tiresome debates where fans insist the series is superior to all other shonen anime. | © Crunchyroll
As one of anime's oldest and most revered franchises, Dragon Ball carries a heavy weight of nostalgia for its long-time fans. This devotion often manifests as a refusal to accept any modern critique of the series or its characters. Many veteran viewers treat any analysis that challenges their childhood views as a personal attack, creating a defensive and sometimes hostile environment for new perspectives. | © Crunchyroll
The intense relationship between Deku and Bakugo is a core part of My Hero Academia, but it also fuels the fandom's most bitter arguments. Heated "shipping" debates over whether a romance exists between them often define the fan space. These disagreements regularly go beyond the story, devolving into toxic fights about the characters' sexualities that create a pretty hostile online environment. | © Crunchyroll
As one of the classic anime, Naruto has a massive fanbase that has been debating the story for decades. A central point of contention remains the series' conclusion, with "shipping wars" over whether Naruto should have ended up with Sakura or Hinata turning remarkably hostile. This often devolves into harsh criticism of the female characters themselves, reducing their well-written complexities to mere arguments over their compatibility with the protagonist. | © Crunchyroll
The Dandadan fandom quickly became enamored with the central romance between Momo and Okarun, leading to a surge of fan art celebrating the pair. This passion took a dark turn, however, when an artist's reinterpretation of the characters with darker skin sparked intense online backlash. The situation grew so toxic that voice actor AJ Beckles, who simply supported the artwork, was harassed off the X platform. | © Crunchyroll
Avatar: The Last Airbender has a fanbase that often treats the original series as untouchable. This reverence frequently turns into harsh criticism toward any new project, with The Legend of Korra bearing the brunt for not matching its predecessor's legacy. The toxicity even extended to the live-action adaptation, where cast members were bullied online for not fitting some fans' exact vision of the characters. | © Nickelodeon
For years, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood has held the top spot on many anime ranking sites, a position some of its fans guard with surprising ferocity. This devotion has occasionally turned toxic, with organized campaigns to downvote any new series that threatens its number-one rating. When Attack on Titan came close in 2019, for instance, it was met with a wave of negative reviews from Brotherhood loyalists, a pattern that has repeated for other rising shows. | © Crunchyroll
The massive popularity of Attack on Titan came with intense scrutiny from its own dedicated fans, many of whom had very specific expectations for the story's conclusion. When the final chapters didn't align with their vision, that disappointment curdled into genuine toxicity online. This culminated in creator Hajime Isayama receiving such severe harassment, including death threats, that he had to publicly appeal for basic kindness from his audience. | © Crunchyroll
It's no secret that passionate fanbases can make an anime even more enjoyable to watch. But sometimes, that passion curdles into something much more toxic. From shipping wars and review bombing to outright harassment, these are the anime communities that have become infamous for their dark sides.
