A Survey Says Women Find Anime Unattractive in Men — Let’s Talk About It
Let’s set the scene. A viral chart is doing the rounds online claiming to expose the top 15 least attractive hobbies men can have — according to women. And sitting shockingly high on that list is watching anime.
The data, taken from a defunct blog called DatePsychology, is being used to shame men who enjoy anime, comic books, cosplay, and other so-called “geek” hobbies. And as a proud anime fan, I’ve got a few things to say about that.
The “Study” Behind the Chart – and Why It’s Garbage
In this viral ranking, only 25.1% of female respondents in the survey said they found watching anime attractive in men. Sounds damning, right? But here’s the catch:
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Biased sample: The survey polled just 814 people, mostly white, highly educated women — hardly representative of all women, all cultures, or even the global dating pool.
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Binary responses: Participants could only answer yes or no, which oversimplifies something as nuanced as attraction.
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Cultural blind spots: Anime is mainstream in countries like Japan, France, and Brazil — where fandom is not stigmatized the way it can be in certain Western circles.
And yet, despite its limitations, the survey ranks anime-watching alongside activities like gambling, pornography consumption, cigar smoking etc.— all of which are genuinely addictive or unhealthy habits. That’s like comparing reading a fantasy novel to chain-smoking.
Yes, anime-watching landed 6th on the list of “least attractive hobbies to women,” still ranking above genuinely harmful habits like gambling or pornography. But let’s get one thing straight — Anime is not a vice. It’s not toxic, it’s not wrecking your health, and it’s definitely not something you need to “quit.”
“Anime is entertainment. It’s storytelling. It’s cultural art that connects millions of people worldwide “
Equating it with destructive vices is not research. That’s biased clickbait disguised as science.
Why Is Anime Considered Unattractive to Women?
Let’s break it down.
Apparently, women surveyed see hobbies like watching anime, cosplaying, and reading comic books as childish or socially awkward. The implication? That men who enjoy these things are emotionally stunted, immature, or “stuck in a fantasy world.”
It’s the old, tired stereotype that otakus don’t have a life, that we just sit around watching “cartoons” with no ambition or connection to reality.
But that stereotype has been shattered by the countless masterpieces’ Anime has given us over the years. Let’s not pretend it’s still 2003.
Romantic Attraction Can’t Be Boiled Down to Hobbies
What this “study” fails to understand is that attraction is complex. A person’s hobbies don’t exist in a vacuum. It’s not about what you watch — it’s about how you live, how you carry yourself, and how you connect with others.
Many women — and I mean millions globally — love anime too. The fandom is incredibly diverse. From female cosplayers to anime YouTubers, women are not just passive observers — they’re active, passionate participants in the culture.
So why pretend anime is some lonely guy’s shameful addiction?
What This Really Reveals: Outdated Dating Stereotypes
The real issue here isn’t anime. It’s the way men are still boxed into outdated “attractive” archetypes:
Gym rat = hot
Sports fan = acceptable
Gamer or otaku = unattractive
True, having an interest in any physical activity (like sports or gym) makes a man both athletic and attractive, doesn’t mean watching anime makes you less of a man.
We can take example from top-tier athletes like Israel Adesanya, Gordon Hayward, and Carlos Alcaraz proudly embrace anime. If anything, anime fans are built different — mentally and physically.
Times have changed. Anime is no longer niche — it’s mainstream. Demon Slayer broke box office records. One Piece is on Netflix. Celebrities talk about anime in interviews. It’s a cultural force.
So, this stigma? It’s just noise from people stuck in the past.
Final Thoughts?
Don’t Let some silly Chart Define You! Love what you love. If anime makes you feel seen, inspired, or connected — that’s not unattractive. That’s human.
So yeah, some women might find anime unattractive in men. But plenty more appreciate passion, emotional depth, and creativity — all things anime fans usually have in spades. (Talking from experience)
Keep binging, keep cosplaying, keep being a proud otaku. The right people will get it.
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