KNY Western fanbase.

As an Asian fan who’s been into KNY since it first got animated in 2019, I’m frustrated with how A LOT of Western fans have changed the fandom, especially since 2021 and early 2022.

Shinobu is unfairly labeled as “fake” for her cheerful attitude, but her smile hides genuine grief—something Western fans seem to overlook.

Zenitsu, who was once loved in Asia for his growth, traits, personality, is now seen as nothing more than an “annoying pervert.” Tengen also gets unnecessary hate for his polygamy and the slap on Aoi’s butt, which wasn’t meant maliciously. It’s important to remember that the anime is set in the Taisho era, and gestures like that were more common in Asia back then and still occur today, though less often. I also noticed that Tengen is now considered a “weak” hashira because he retired early?

I know NOT ALL Western fans are like this, but it’s hard to watch so many oversimplify/over-exaggerate and misinterpret these characters. Friends I made from Japan, China, S. Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia, who were KNY fans back in 2019/2020, understand and appreciate these characters so much differently.

I am super glad that KNY is gaining more and more traction, but it’s heartbreaking to see the fandom turn shallow.

(I know I’m going to get downvoted for this but this is MY observation, I befriended with a lot of western fans and a lot of them are very lovely people!)