First of all, on the subject on fandoms I’d like to defer you guys to my point in another thread entirely:

[quote=Gowi]and I would agree that on the radical end of it they are probably one of the most obnoxious people that exist— but that goes for all fanatics, it’s kind of in the definition of the terminology. 

		[b]fanatic[/b]
[sub][b]
	: marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion.
	: a person with an extreme and uncritical enthusiasm or zeal.
	: a person whose enthusiasm or zeal for something is extreme or beyond normal limits
	: someone who has very strong beliefs that often make them behave in an unreasonable way[/b][/sub]

Fanatics by the truest form of the word do not live in reality— they are not humble, rational, or perceptive. They are significant elitists that put their idol on public view for agreeance. That’s why I currently do not consider myself words that describe the same thing like “otaku”, because it is the language of arrogance. You can be passionate about something and enjoy the artistic expression but you should still be largely understanding of opposing views and be able to look at what you like with as much criticism as the person who is not a “believer”. 

Thus universally fandom as a concept is a insane, delusional, and irrational belief that exists only to worship instead to have discussion.[/quote]
I’ve been a part of many communities as it sort of goes with the territory of ‘being on the internet and its message boards for seventeen years’. I was effectively raised on escapism; particularly video games, comic books, and animated series. I have over two-hundred pressings of Sonic the Hedgehog comics, I have a replica of Henry Jones Sr’s Diary from Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade, I have an elaborate collection of anime DVD’s, and several merchandise made by other people for the sake of the community. There will always be toxic people in any medium, especially when it gets as specific and “auteur” or niche as Anime. You literally cannot take it at face value and ignore the elitism and toxicity and focus on the good aspects of the community and piece of art/medium you enjoy. 

Anime is great. Anime communities are great. Fanaticism and Elitism are not.