Is the anime community always this divided?

[u/Public_Wolf_9687]

Hello, I came here today to ask some questions about the community in general. I am quite new to anime and have only started watching some anime this past year, so when I went online to look for recommendations, I noticed the community seemed to be divided and tends to disagree on most, if not all, animes in general. I try to keep an open mind and consider both sides before making a decision, but the differences can be so extreme that it’s hard to know what to think ( Trash-talking also seems to be prevalent during arguments. ). So is the anime community always this split, or is it just certain fanbases? And does this kind of disagreement tend to stay toxic?

[u/Additional_Oil7502]

It wasn't this way back in the '80s/'90s. Then the internet happened 💀

I'm a Japanese woman who’s been a fan since the late 1980s. Back then, the fandom was where we just hung out because we liked anime—that’s it.

It didn't matter what the genre or franchise was; it was enough that we both liked anime. It didn't matter if we never liked the same show; it was the idea that we got to bounce back opinions and discover more shows, exchange tapes and vinyl and cassette tapes...etc, it was waaaay more chill

Now I feel like it's so divided, and people are way more tense and uptight about anime opinions. Every genre has its bubble, then every demographic has its bubble, then every show, then sects of the same show, lol.

The idea that people fight over an opinion on anime was a foreign concept to me, and it still is.

But yet again im barely online, and only recently started using the western side of anime internet 🤣

PS: English is my 3rd language, so I apologize for the grammar disaster

[u/Public_Wolf_9687 → u/Additional_Oil7502]

Wow, it’s always nice to hear from someone on the other side of the planet. Thank you for the insight. ( Your English is superb. )