Anime Survey 2015 Preliminary Results

Preliminary Results of the 2015 Anime Survey

In the present paper we report preliminary results from the 2015 Anime Survey. The survey was conducted online and at A-Kon (June 5-7, 2015) in Dallas, TX. We are grateful to A-Kon for hosting us again and supporting this research project. A goal of these preliminary working papers is to provide the fandom with a brief overview of some of the basic findings. The survey included constructs that are not reported here, but will be included in future papers. Our research team is currently working on longer papers describing the results for The Phoenix Papers.

Method and Participants

Paper-and-pencil surveys were handed out to anime fans at A-Kon in Dallas, TX. At the same time we posted this survey online and solicited volunteers from various websites related to anime. After removing participants that did not complete a majority of questions, the present data includes 328 participants from A-Kon and 639 respondents from online. To examine whether the present sample was representative of the fandom, we examined the ratings on items that were included this year and last year. The ratings were relatively similar suggesting that although this sample is smaller, the data is likely representative of the fandom. Only participants who indicated that they are anime fans are included in the present data (N = 967, 55% male (4.5% non-binary/other); M_age = 25.95, SD = 7.78).

Preliminary Results

1. How do fans engage with the fandom?

Summary: Beyond watching anime and reading manga, fans reported often visiting websites/blogs, looking at fan art, conversing with other fans, and watching anime with friends. Anime fans generally did not read fan fiction, talk about anime with others who are not anime fans, post on forums, or role-play.

This past year, how often did you watch anime?

This past year, how often did you read manga?

This past year, how often did you look at fan art?

This past year, how often did you read fan fiction?

This past year, how often did you read news/blogs/reviews about anime?

This past year, how often did you post comments in anime forums/message boards/blogs this past year?

This past year, how often did you talk about anime with anime fans online?

This past year, how often did you talk about anime with anime fans offline (face-to-face)?

This past year, how often did you talk about anime with non-anime-fans online?

This past year, how often did you talk about anime with non-anime-fans offline (face-to-face)?

This past year, how often did you watch anime with friends?

This past year, how often did you role-play online?

This past year, how often did you role-play offline (face-to-face)?

This past year, how often did you cosplay?

2. Do anime fans conceal their identity?

Summary: The results of research conducted last year show that the anime fandom is stigmatized. We wondered to what extent fans are likely to conceal their identity as an anime fan from others. The result of a single item suggests that under half of fans conceal their identity.

I often hide my anime fan identity.

3. Who do they disclose their identity to?

Summary: As noted above a minority of anime fans conceal their fan identity from others. We wondered who anime fans decide to disclose their fan interest to. Participants were asked to rate the degree they disclose their anime fan identity to non-anime family, friends, peers, supervisors, and strangers. The results show that anime fans are likely to disclose their fan identity to close others (i.e., friends, family) but not others outside their close relations (i.e., peers, supervisors, strangers).

Family.

Friends.

Work/school peers.

Work supervisor(s)/teachers.

Strangers or new acquaintances.

4. How many anime fans have a Waifu/Husbando?

Summary: A minority of male (29.3%) and female (26.9%) anime fans indicated having a Waifu/Husbando. For those that did, we asked two follow-up questions. Women (M = 5.40, SD = 1.89) indicated a stronger emotional connection than men (M = 4.77, SD = 2.11), t(257) = -2.48, p = .014, d = -.31. Women (M = 4.58, SD = 2.26) and men (M = 4.83, SD = 2.02) did not differ significantly in their sexual attraction, t(257) = 0.95, p = .342, d = .12.

I feel an emotional connection with my Waifu/Husbando.

I feel a sexual attraction to my Waifu/Husbando.

5. Were anime fans bullied as kids?

Summary: A good number of anime fans were bullied as kids. Further research is needed to examine if this is common among stigmatized fan communities or if this contributes to interest in fan communities.

When you were a child, do you recall another kid, even a brother or sister, picking on you by chasing you, grabbing your hair or clothes or by making you do something you did not want to do?

When you were a child, do you recall getting scared or feeling really bad because kids were calling you names, saying mean things to you, or saying they didn’t want you around?

When you were a child do you recall any kid, even a brother or sister, hitting you? This may have been at home, at school, out playing, in a store, anywhere?

6. What psychological needs does participation in the anime fandom provide fans?

Summary: Groups meet a variety of psychological needs for members. We asked about 11 different needs in this year’s survey. The results tended to suggest that being an anime fan provides fans with a sense of belongingness, friends, social support, and a world-view.

Being a member of the anime community gives me a sense of self-esteem.

Being a member of the anime community makes me feel like a competent or capable person.

Being a member of the anime community gives me a sense of “meaning” in my life.

Being a member of the anime community gives me a sense of continuity—between past, present, and future—in my life.

Being a member of the anime community makes me feel close to, or accepted by, other people.

Being a member of the anime community makes me distinct and unique compared to other people.

Being a member of the anime community reduces the uncertainty in my life.

Being a member of the anime community provides me a way to make and maintain friendships.

Being a member of the anime community provides me with social support when I need it.

Being a member of the anime community provides me with a world-view (a perspective to view the world).

Being a member of the anime community validates my world-view.