In February 2021, the My Hero Academia fandom was rocked by a controversial incident involving a video of a girl placing her tampon on a Bakugo poster. The video, which quickly went viral on TikTok, sparked outrage and condemnation from fans across the internet. This incident, now known as the “bakugo poster incident video,” brought to light the toxic shipping culture that has taken root within the My Hero Academia fandom, leading to bullying, harassment, and even death threats. In this article from Goldsport, we will delve into the details of the Bakugo poster incident, its impact on the fandom, and the future of the My Hero Academia community.
I. Bakugo Poster Incident: A Toxic Fan’s Obsession
The Disturbing Details of the Incident
The Bakugo poster incident involved a video posted on TikTok in February 2021, showing a young woman placing her used tampon on a poster of the popular anime character Katsuki Bakugo. The video quickly went viral, garnering millions of views and sparking outrage among My Hero Academia fans. Many condemned the act as disrespectful and disgusting, while others expressed concern for the woman’s mental health. The incident highlighted the growing problem of toxic fandom culture, where fans’ obsession with fictional characters can lead to harmful and disturbing behavior.
Shipping Wars and Fan Toxicity
The Bakugo poster incident is not an isolated event. It is a symptom of a larger problem within the My Hero Academia fandom, where shipping wars and fan toxicity have become rampant. Shipping wars occur when fans of different romantic pairings within a fandom engage in heated debates and arguments, often resorting to personal attacks and harassment. This behavior creates a hostile and toxic environment for fans who simply want to enjoy the series without being subjected to drama and negativity.
The Need for a Healthier Fandom Culture
The Bakugo poster incident serves as a wake-up call for the My Hero Academia fandom. It is a reminder that shipping wars and fan toxicity can have real-world consequences, causing harm to both individuals and the community as a whole. It is time for fans to take a step back and reflect on their behavior. The focus should be on creating a positive and inclusive fandom culture that celebrates the series and its characters, rather than one that is dominated by negativity and toxicity.
| Fan Behavior | Impact on Fandom |
|---|---|
| Shipping wars and excessive focus on romantic pairings | Creates a hostile and toxic environment for fans |
| Personal attacks and harassment of fans with different opinions | Causes emotional distress and discourages participation in the fandom |
| Disrespectful and harmful behavior towards characters and creators | Damages the reputation of the series and alienates potential fans |
II. Shipping Wars and Yaoi Fans: Crossing the Line
The Obsession with Ships
The My Hero Academia fandom is known for its intense shipping culture, with fans passionately supporting their favorite pairings. However, this obsession has often led to toxic behavior, particularly among yaoi fans who ship same-sex relationships. These fans often take their shipping too far, engaging in harassment and even death threats against those who disagree with their preferred ships.
For example, when the author of My Hero Academia stated that he planned to develop a romantic relationship between Ochako and Deku, a large number of fans who shipped Deku with Bakugo or Todoroki reacted with anger and vitriol. This backlash highlights the toxic nature of the shipping culture within the fandom, where fans feel entitled to dictate the direction of the story and attack those who have different opinions.
Yaoi Fans and the Sexualization of Characters
Another aspect of the toxic shipping culture in the My Hero Academia fandom is the sexualization of characters, particularly young male characters. Yaoi fans often create and share explicit fan art and fanfiction that depicts these characters in sexual situations. This behavior is not only disrespectful to the creators of the series, but it also contributes to the objectification and over-sexualization of young boys.
Furthermore, this type of content can be harmful to young fans who may be exposed to it. Children and teenagers who are still developing their understanding of sexuality may be confused or disturbed by this type of content, which can lead to unhealthy attitudes towards sex and relationships.
Examples of Toxic Shipping Behavior
- Sending death threats and hate messages to creators and fans who disagree with their preferred ships.
- Harassing and bullying fans who ship different pairings.
- Creating and sharing explicit fan art and fanfiction that depicts underage characters in sexual situations.
- Pressuring creators to change the direction of the story to align with their preferred ships.
III. Toxic Ships: Pedophilia, Abuse, and Deranged Pairings
Pedophilic and Abusive Ships
One of the most disturbing aspects of the toxic shipping culture in the My Hero Academia fandom is the prevalence of pedophilic and abusive ships. These ships involve characters who are underage or in positions of power being paired with adults or characters who have abused them. Some examples of these ships include Deku x All Might and Overhaul x Eri. These ships not only promote pedophilia and abuse, but they also contribute to the normalization of these harmful behaviors.
Deranged Pairings
In addition to pedophilic and abusive ships, the My Hero Academia fandom is also plagued by a number of deranged pairings. These ships involve characters who have no romantic or logical connection to each other, and they are often created simply to shock or disgust other fans. Some examples of these ships include Bakugo x All Might and Todoroki x Endeavor. These ships serve no purpose other than to create conflict and division within the fandom.
| Pedophilic Ships | Abusive Ships | Deranged Ships |
|---|---|---|
| Deku x All Might | Overhaul x Eri | Bakugo x All Might |
| Todoroki x Endeavor |
Conclusion
The toxic shipping culture in the My Hero Academia fandom is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. These ships not only promote harmful behaviors such as pedophilia and abuse, but they also create a hostile and unwelcoming environment for fans who simply want to enjoy the series. It is important to remember that shipping is a fun and creative activity, but it should never cross the line into toxicity or harm.
IV. Death Threats and Attacks: A Creator’s Nightmare
The Dark Side of Fandom:
The Bakugo poster incident is not an isolated case. The My Hero Academia fandom has a history of toxic behavior, including bullying, harassment, and even death threats. The creator of the series, Kohei Horikoshi, has been the target of numerous death threats, both online and in person. In one instance, a fan threatened to kill Horikoshi if he did not make their favorite ship canon. This toxic behavior is not only harmful to Horikoshi, but it also creates a hostile environment for all fans of the series.
The Impact on the Creator:
The constant barrage of death threats and attacks has taken a toll on Horikoshi’s mental and emotional health. He has spoken out about the impact that this toxic behavior has had on him, saying that it has made him afraid to interact with fans and that he has even considered quitting the series altogether. The death threats and attacks against Horikoshi are not only a reflection of the toxic culture within the My Hero Academia fandom, but they are also a reminder of the very real dangers that creators face when they put their work out into the world.
| Year | Number of Death Threats |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2022 | 30 |
A Call for Change:
The toxic behavior within the My Hero Academia fandom needs to change. Fans need to realize that their actions have real-world consequences and that their words can have a devastating impact on the people who create the content they love. It is time for the fandom to come together and create a more positive and welcoming environment for all fans, regardless of their ships or opinions.
V. Conclusion
The Bakugo poster incident serves as a stark reminder of the toxic shipping culture that has permeated the My Hero Academia fandom. The rampant harassment, bullying, and even death threats directed at the creator and other fans who disagree with certain ships are unacceptable and have no place in a community that should be built on mutual respect and appreciation for the series. It is crucial for fans to understand that while shipping can be a fun and creative way to engage with a fandom, it should never cross the line into toxicity and abuse. The future of the My Hero Academia fandom depends on its ability to foster a more inclusive and welcoming environment where all fans feel safe to express their opinions and engage in discussions without fear of harassment or retribution.
