Gender differences in anime ratings
Have you ever wondered about the taste differences between male and female anime fans? What kind of content most appeals to each? Which anime most divides them? Using the public profile and rating data on MyAnimeList, me and /u/purplepinapples sought to find out. We downloaded the rating data of 3,000 male identifying and 3,000 female identifying anime fans on MAt and analysed the results to get a glimpse at the differences.
This was done just for fun, the results shouldn’t be treated too seriously. We’re fairly confident in the general trends we found given that we got the same result when we processed an additional 2,000 profiles, but it isn’t definitive. Hopefully it’ll result in some fun discussions~
Average anime rating
We
all have our own ways of rating anime, what an 8/10 means to me is
different to what it means to you. But is there a consistent difference
between the genders? We plotted the average rating distribution for
males and females.
Both genders overwhelmingly use only the upper half of the rating scale (91% of ratings are between 6 and 10), but women tend to be more generous with their 10s. I initially suspected this might be because the average female user had watched less anime than their male counterpart (the average female user rated 78 anime vs 144 for men), but even if we restricted the results to only those who had watched 100+ anime, the distribution maintained its shape. I also checked to see if there were more female users who rated all their anime a 10/10, and while it was higher at 1.52% of users vs 1.19% for males, it was still rare enough that it didn’t make a noticeable difference on the graph.
One surprising result was how smooth the score distribution was. If you check the ratings for computer games on metacritic or films on imdb, you’ll drown under the wave of partisan 10/10 or 1/10 ratings, but that isn’t the case on MAL. Users seem to take their ratings more seriously and are less inclined to troll vote.
Genre preferences
By tracking the ratings of all anime with a particular genre tag, and splitting those ratings by the gender of the users, we can get a rough indication on the kind of content each gender prefers to watch. However because we limited our data to make sure we had an even number of male and female profiles, the exact gender ratio might be skewed, but the ranking should be correct.
First we looked at which genres skewed most towards one gender with the number of ratings they got.
| Pos | Genre | Male fanbase | Avg male rating (total ratings) | Avg female rating (total ratings) |
| 1 | Cars | 86.4% | 8.14 (1230) | 8.00 (192) |
| 2 | Ecchi | 80.3% | 7.32 (62434) | 7.27 (15232) |
| 3 | Harem | 78.0% | 7.34 (49504) | 7.22 (13956) |
| 4 | Space | 76.9% | 7.79 (7955) | 7.83 (2382) |
| 5 | Mecha | 74.5% | 7.74 (25641) | 7.88 (8772) |
| 6 | Martial Arts | 74.0% | 7.54 (13221) | 7.88 (4630) |
| 7 | Game | 72.0% | 7.67 (14967) | 7.87 (5806) |
| 8 | Military | 71.7% | 7.96 (21636) | 8.14 (8507) |
| 9 | Sci-Fi | 71.4% | 7.70 (81838) | 7.84 (32622) |
| 10 | Seinen | 70.2% | 7.71 (41545) | 7.84 (17576) |
| 11 | Super Power | 69.2% | 7.76 (43691) | 7.99 (19446) |
| 12 | Hentai | 68.9% | 6.77 (2145) | 6.09 (966) |
| 13 | Action | 68.8% | 7.71 (187171) | 7.94 (84512) |
| 14 | School | 67.5% | 7.67 (120415) | 7.79 (57855) |
| 15 | Shounen | 66.4% | 7.81 (103158) | 8.07 (51986) |
| 16 | Adventure | 65.9% | 7.77 (86193) | 8.06 (44424) |
| 17 | Comedy | 65.7% | 7.65 (210383) | 7.85 (109460) |
| 18 | Fantasy | 65.3% | 7.66 (115732) | 7.94 (61367) |
| 19 | Kids | 65.3% | 7.11 (6707) | 7.65 (3550) |
| 20 | Magic | 63.9% | 7.71 (38771) | 7.88 (21868) |
| 21 | Samurai | 63.9% | 8.12 (5193) | 8.26 (2927) |
| 22 | Parody | 63.8% | 7.78 (12990) | 7.85 (7349) |
| 23 | Supernatural | 63.6% | 7.81 (112613) | 7.99 (64298) |
| 24 | Yuri | 63.5% | 6.65 (295) | 6.35 (169) |
| 25 | Thriller | 63.2% | 8.20 (19128) | 8.30 (11118) |
| 26 | Dementia | 63.2% | 7.86 (3125) | 7.72 (1818) |
| 27 | Romance | 63.1% | 7.62 (130163) | 7.78 (76011) |
| 28 | Psychological | 62.4% | 7.93 (31912) | 8.07 (19229) |
| 29 | Horror | 62.1% | 7.50 (23750) | 7.66 (14476) |
| 30 | Slice of Life | 61.5% | 7.76 (59942) | 7.90 (37383) |
| 31 | Police | 61.2% | 8.02 (8225) | 8.22 (5202) |
| 32 | Mystery | 60.1% | 7.89 (46776) | 7.99 (30969) |
| 33 | Vampire | 59.3% | 7.67 (11730) | 7.46 (8036) |
| 34 | Drama | 59.1% | 7.90 (100843) | 8.05 (69514) |
| 35 | Demons | 58.5% | 7.63 (17519) | 7.99 (12421) |
| 36 | Sports | 58.1% | 7.93 (12603) | 8.20 (9058) |
| 37 | Shoujo Ai | 58.1% | 7.21 (3052) | 7.28 (2198) |
| 38 | Historical | 54.0% | 8.01 (15641) | 8.13 (13299) |
| 39 | Music | 53.8% | 7.75 (9852) | 7.84 (8439) |
| 40 | Josei | 32.8% | 7.87 (2433) | 7.82 (4969) |
| 41 | Shoujo | 27.8% | 7.62 (12188) | 7.85 (31541) |
| 42 | Yaoi | 14.9% | 4.89 (310) | 6.57 (1765) |
| 43 | Shounen Ai | 8.30% | 7.18 (468) | 7.71 (5106) |
Given that the male profiles tended to watch more anime than the female ones, most of the genres have a majority male fanbase.
Generally the boy/girl stereotype plays out, with male fans watching more violent, sci-fi, and superhero content, while female fans tend towards more demons and vampires. Romance content that plays to each gender’s tastes seems to be the most polarising, with ecchi and harem anime for males, and gay romance for females. Although women seemed more willing to try male pandering content than the other way around. The one exception was yuri content, which appealed to both genders, although the small sample size for yuri makes such a claim unreliable.
While ranking by the audience gender ratio tells us what they watch, it doesn’t tell us what they *like*. If we compare the average rating each gender gives anime of each genre, we can get an impression of what they enjoy.
| Pos | Genre | Rating difference | Avg male rating (total ratings) | Avg female rating (total ratings) | Male fanbase |
| 1 | Hentai | 0.67 | 6.77 (2145) | 6.09 (966) | 68.9% |
| 2 | Yuri | 0.30 | 6.65 (295) | 6.35 (169) | 63.5% |
| 3 | Vampire | 0.21 | 7.67 (11730) | 7.46 (8036) | 59.3% |
| 4 | Dementia | 0.14 | 7.86 (3125) | 7.72 (1818) | 63.2% |
| 5 | Cars | 0.14 | 8.14 (1230) | 8.00 (192) | 86.4% |
| 6 | Harem | 0.12 | 7.34 (49504) | 7.22 (13956) | 78.0% |
| 7 | Ecchi | 0.05 | 7.32 (62434) | 7.27 (15232) | 80.3% |
| 8 | Josei | 0.05 | 7.87 (2433) | 7.82 (4969) | 32.8% |
| 9 | Space | -0.03 | 7.79 (7955) | 7.83 (2382) | 76.9% |
| 10 | Parody | -0.06 | 7.78 (12990) | 7.85 (7349) | 63.8% |
| 11 | Shoujo Ai | -0.06 | 7.21 (3052) | 7.28 (2198) | 58.1% |
| 12 | Thriller | -0.09 | 8.20 (19128) | 8.30 (11118) | 63.2% |
| 13 | Mystery | -0.09 | 7.89 (46776) | 7.99 (30969) | 60.1% |
| 14 | Music | -0.09 | 7.75 (9852) | 7.84 (8439) | 53.8% |
| 15 | Historical | -0.11 | 8.01 (15641) | 8.13 (13299) | 54.0% |
| 16 | School | -0.12 | 7.67 (120415) | 7.79 (57855) | 67.5% |
| 17 | Seinen | -0.12 | 7.71 (41545) | 7.84 (17576) | 70.2% |
| 18 | Sci-Fi | -0.13 | 7.7 (81838) | 7.84 (32622) | 71.4% |
| 19 | Mecha | -0.13 | 7.74 (25641) | 7.88 (8772) | 74.5% |
| 20 | Samurai | -0.13 | 8.12 (5193) | 8.26 (2927) | 63.9% |
| 21 | Slice of Life | -0.14 | 7.76 (59942) | 7.90 (37383) | 61.5% |
| 22 | Psychological | -0.14 | 7.93 (31912) | 8.07 (19229) | 62.4% |
| 23 | Drama | -0.15 | 7.90 (100843) | 8.05 (69514) | 59.1% |
| 24 | Horror | -0.15 | 7.5 (23750) | 7.66 (14476) | 62.1% |
| 25 | Romance | -0.16 | 7.62 (130163) | 7.78 (76011) | 63.1% |
| 26 | Magic | -0.16 | 7.71 (38771) | 7.88 (21868) | 63.9% |
| 27 | Supernatural | -0.17 | 7.81 (112613) | 7.99 (64298) | 63.6% |
| 28 | Military | -0.17 | 7.96 (21636) | 8.14 (8507) | 71.7% |
| 29 | Game | -0.19 | 7.67 (14967) | 7.87 (5806) | 72.0% |
| 30 | Comedy | -0.20 | 7.65 (210383) | 7.85 (109460) | 65.7% |
| 31 | Police | -0.20 | 8.02 (8225) | 8.22 (5202) | 61.2% |
| 32 | Action | -0.22 | 7.71 (187171) | 7.94 (84512) | 68.8% |
| 33 | Super Power | -0.23 | 7.76 (43691) | 7.99 (19446) | 69.2% |
| 34 | Shoujo | -0.23 | 7.62 (12188) | 7.85 (31541) | 27.8% |
| 35 | Shounen | -0.25 | 7.81 (103158) | 8.07 (51986) | 66.4% |
| 36 | Sports | -0.27 | 7.93 (12603) | 8.20 (9058) | 58.1% |
| 37 | Fantasy | -0.27 | 7.66 (115732) | 7.94 (61367) | 65.3% |
| 38 | Adventure | -0.29 | 7.77 (86193) | 8.06 (44424) | 65.9% |
| 39 | Martial Arts | -0.33 | 7.54 (13221) | 7.88 (4630) | 74.0% |
| 40 | Demons | -0.35 | 7.63 (17519) | 7.99 (12421) | 58.5% |
| 41 | Shounen Ai | -0.53 | 7.18 (468) | 7.71 (5106) | 8.3% |
| 42 | Kids | -0.53 | 7.11 (6707) | 7.65 (3550) | 65.3% |
| 43 | Yaoi | -1.68 | 4.89 (310) | 6.57 (1765) | 14.9% |
It’s curious that we see many genres flip their position, with anime targeted at women (josei and shouji ai) being higher rated by men, and those targeted at men (shounen) tending to be more highly rated by women. Perhaps it’s only the more dedicated genre fans that are willing to ignore the target demographic.
Women don’t seem much less interested in lewd content than men are, but it seems that hentai content in anime just isn’t catering to their tastes. Yaoi is in a league of it’s own for its dislike by the male fanbase, perhaps because much of it doesn’t depict gay relationships accurately (as it’s targeted more to women) and so doesn’t appeal to gay men, just as some yuri content doesn’t appeal to many lesbians for the same reason.
There aren’t just differences in which genres the genders prefer, there’s also differences in the anime within each genre. So here are the anime in each gender that have the highest male or female audience ratio.
Favourite anime
Next we tried using the rating data to determine which anime have the biggest gender differences. To prevent the list being filled with obscure titles, it only lists those with at least 50 ratings from both genders, and is categorised as an anime series (so no OVAs or movies).
First is the list of anime that males rate higher than females.
| Pos | Anime | Rating diff | Avg male score (total ratings) | Avg female score (total ratings) |
| 1 | Seto no Hanayome | 0.64 | 8.02 (251) | 7.37 (79) |
| 2 | Machine-Doll wa Kizutsukanai | 0.58 | 7.50 (299) | 6.91 (59) |
| 3 | Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! | 0.57 | 8.21 (1204) | 7.64 (189) |
| 4 | Love Hina | 0.53 | 7.33 (234) | 6.79 (129) |
| 5 | Ookami to Koushinryou | 0.53 | 8.51 (626) | 7.97 (276) |
| 6 | Campione!: Matsurowanu Kamigami to Kamigoroshi no Maou | 0.53 | 7.41 (446) | 6.87 (65) |
| 7 | Ben-To | 0.53 | 7.51 (360) | 6.98 (72) |
| 8 | Serial Experiments Lain | 0.49 | 8.21 (285) | 7.72 (176) |
| 9 | Aa! Megami-sama! (TV) | 0.47 | 7.64 (131) | 7.16 (66) |
| 10 | School Rumble | 0.46 | 8.20 (210) | 7.74 (143) |
| 11 | Shuffle! | 0.42 | 7.26 (272) | 6.83 (92) |
| 12 | Ookami to Koushinryou II | 0.42 | 8.52 (488) | 8.09 (162) |
| 13 | High School DxD | 0.42 | 7.66 (1093) | 7.24 (210) |
| 14 | School Rumble Ni Gakki | 0.40 | 8.22 (153) | 7.81 (65) |
| 15 | Overlord | 0.38 | 8.1 (783) | 7.71 (103) |
| 16 | Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri | 0.37 | 7.97 (706) | 7.60 (105) |
| 17 | Minami-ke | 0.37 | 7.73 (101) | 7.36 (58) |
| 18 | High School DxD New | 0.35 | 7.82 (816) | 7.47 (100) |
| 19 | Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri 2nd Season | 0.35 | 8.00 (563) | 7.65 (66) |
| 20 | Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu | 0.35 | 7.98 (732) | 7.63 (397) |
| 21 | 3-gatsu no Lion | 0.34 | 8.67 (190) | 8.32 (71) |
| 22 | Bakemonogatari | 0.34 | 8.52 (992) | 8.17 (323) |
| 23 | Prison School | 0.34 | 7.97 (746) | 7.62 (172) |
| 24 | Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. | 0.33 | 8.11 (988) | 7.78 (229) |
| 25 | Kimi ga Nozomu Eien | 0.33 | 7.36 (100) | 7.02 (71) |
Given the male genre preferences for ecchi and violent content, it’s not surprising to see such anime as Konosuba, Gate, or Prison School listed; but the inclusion of more serious stories like Spice & Wolf and Serial Experiments Lain was unexpected.
Next is the list of anime rated higher by females.
| Pos | Anime | Rating diff | Avg male score (total ratings) | Avg female score (total ratings) |
| 1 | Diabolik Lovers | 1.03 | 4.94 (50) | 5.97 (447) |
| 2 | No.6 | 1.00 | 7.20 (128) | 8.2 (538) |
| 3 | Nabari no Ou | 0.91 | 6.95 (72) | 7.87 (139) |
| 4 | Michiko to Hatchin | 0.87 | 7.59 (74) | 8.46 (71) |
| 5 | Fukumenkei Noise | 0.86 | 6.93 (59) | 7.79 (64) |
| 6 | 07-Ghost | 0.83 | 6.91 (93) | 7.75 (201) |
| 7 | Glasslip | 0.81 | 5.40 (147) | 6.22 (86) |
| 8 | Chrno Crusade | 0.77 | 7.50 (126) | 8.28 (167) |
| 9 | Prince of Stride: Alternative | 0.75 | 6.69 (99) | 7.45 (116) |
| 10 | Vampire Knight | 0.75 | 6.74 (223) | 7.49 (833) |
| 11 | Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon R | 0.71 | 7.35 (68) | 8.06 (221) |
| 12 | Tsuritama | 0.71 | 7.6 (53) | 8.31 (159) |
| 13 | Orange | 0.70 | 7.45 (322) | 8.15 (289) |
| 14 | Kamisama Hajimemashita | 0.70 | 7.64 (177) | 8.34 (612) |
| 15 | Yuri!!! on ICE | 0.69 | 7.77 (200) | 8.46 (424) |
| 16 | Karneval (TV) | 0.68 | 6.93 (62) | 7.62 (300) |
| 17 | Seirei no Moribito | 0.66 | 8.04 (107) | 8.71 (73) |
| 18 | Vampire Knight Guilty | 0.65 | 6.93 (173) | 7.58 (631) |
| 19 | Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon | 0.65 | 7.50 (117) | 8.15 (358) |
| 20 | Tiger & Bunny | 0.65 | 7.84 (107) | 8.49 (138) |
| 21 | Ghost Hunt | 0.65 | 7.58 (132) | 8.23 (205) |
| 22 | Free! | 0.65 | 7.28 (252) | 7.93 (862) |
| 23 | Tenjou Tenge | 0.64 | 6.91 (151) | 7.56 (50) |
| 24 | Kuragehime | 0.63 | 7.75 (69) | 8.39 (295) |
| 25 | Tenkuu no Escaflowne | 0.63 | 7.48 (89) | 8.11 (84) |
What most surprised me was how many of these anime I hadn’t heard of before. I mostly use reddit’s /r/anime for news, so perhaps it’s a reflection of the demographics there (at around 90% male), that those anime preferred primarily by women aren’t discussed as often.
Next is a list of those anime whose fanbase is most made of men.
| Pos | Anime | Male audience | Avg male score (total ratings) | Avg female score (total ratings) |
| 1 | Shinmai Maou no Testament | 91.4% | 7.2 (555) | 7.01 (52) |
| 2 | High School DxD BorN | 90.8% | 7.72 (643) | 7.55 (65) |
| 3 | Ore no Kanojo to Osananajimi ga Shuraba Sugiru | 90.1% | 7.23 (468) | 7.07 (51) |
| 4 | Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri 2nd Season | 89.5% | 8.0 (563) | 7.65 (66) |
| 5 | Motto To LOVE-Ru | 89.4% | 7.53 (433) | 7.68 (51) |
| 6 | Trinity Seven | 89.3% | 7.52 (674) | 7.30 (80) |
| 7 | Grisaia no Kajitsu | 89.1% | 7.86 (545) | 7.57 (66) |
| 8 | High School DxD New | 89.0% | 7.82 (816) | 7.47 (100) |
| 9 | Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! 2 | 88.7% | 8.38 (938) | 8.19 (119) |
| 10 | Gakusen Toshi Asterisk 2nd Season | 88.5% | 7.4 (387) | 7.52 (50) |
| 11 | IS: Infinite Stratos | 88.4% | 7.05 (688) | 7.21 (90) |
| 12 | Overlord | 88.3% | 8.1 (783) | 7.71 (103) |
| 13 | Rokudenashi Majutsu Koushi to Akashic Records | 88.2% | 7.47 (519) | 7.46 (69) |
| 14 | Freezing | 88.2% | 7.20 (398) | 7.28 (53) |
| 15 | Tsukimonogatari | 88.1% | 8.26 (411) | 8.23 (55) |
| 16 | Sora no Otoshimono: Forte | 88.1% | 7.77 (440) | 7.69 (59) |
| 17 | Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. Zoku | 88.1% | 8.27 (766) | 7.95 (103) |
| 18 | Date A Live II | 88.0% | 7.49 (635) | 7.39 (86) |
| 19 | Netoge no Yome wa Onnanoko ja Nai to Omotta? | 88.0% | 7.19 (502) | 7.11 (68) |
| 20 | Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry | 87.9% | 7.82 (685) | 7.65 (94) |
| 21 | Hanamonogatari | 87.8% | 8.10 (419) | 8.17 (58) |
| 22 | Sekirei | 87.4% | 7.26 (439) | 7.69 (63) |
| 23 | Eromanga-sensei | 87.4% | 7.10 (564) | 7.49 (81) |
| 24 | Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai Next | 87.3% | 7.63 (710) | 7.54 (103) |
| 25 | Campione!: Matsurowanu Kamigami to Kamigoroshi no Maou | 87.2% | 7.41 (446) | 6.87 (65) |
And lastly, here is the list of those anime whose fanbase are mostly female.
| Pos | Anime | Female audience | Avg male score (total ratings) | Avg female score (total ratings) |
| 1 | Diabolik Lovers | 89.9% | 4.94 (50) | 5.97 (447) |
| 2 | Skip Beat! | 86.6% | 7.77 (61) | 8.32 (397) |
| 3 | Love Stage!! | 85.1% | 7.38 (57) | 7.85 (328) |
| 4 | Amnesia | 83.3% | 6.03 (90) | 6.63 (452) |
| 5 | Karneval (TV) | 82.8% | 6.93 (62) | 7.62 (300) |
| 6 | Fruits Basket | 82.6% | 7.44 (136) | 7.91 (648) |
| 7 | Bokura ga Ita | 82.5% | 7.22 (58) | 7.53 (275) |
| 8 | Kuragehime | 81.0% | 7.75 (69) | 8.39 (295) |
| 9 | No.6 | 80.7% | 7.20 (128) | 8.20 (538) |
| 10 | Nana | 80.1% | 8.51 (95) | 8.69 (383) |
| 11 | Ouran Koukou Host Club | 79.4% | 7.92 (308) | 8.54 (1190) |
| 12 | Vampire Knight | 78.8% | 6.74 (223) | 7.49 (833) |
| 13 | Vampire Knight Guilty | 78.4% | 6.93 (173) | 7.58 (631) |
| 14 | Free!: Eternal Summer | 77.9% | 7.6 (140) | 8.15 (496) |
| 15 | Kamisama Hajimemashita | 77.5% | 7.64 (177) | 8.34 (612) |
| 16 | Free! | 77.3% | 7.28 (252) | 7.93 (862) |
| 17 | Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon R | 76.4% | 7.35 (68) | 8.06 (221) |
| 18 | Kamisama Hajimemashita | 76.3% | 7.96 (100) | 8.39 (322) |
| 19 | Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon S | 76.2% | 7.78 (60) | 8.17 (193) |
| 20 | Itazura na Kiss | 75.8% | 7.89 (108) | 7.73 (339) |
| 21 | Kuroshitsuji II | 75.6% | 7.35 (239) | 7.61 (741) |
| 22 | Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon | 75.3% | 7.5 (117) | 8.15 (358) |
| 23 | Special A | 75.2% | 7.35 (146) | 7.85 (443) |
| 24 | Tsuritama | 75.0% | 7.60 (53) | 8.31 (159) |
| 25 | Romeo x Juliet | 74.0% | 7.93 (62) | 7.85 (177) |
I hope you guys liked this small analysis, I had a lot of fun making it. A big thank you goes out to /u/purplepinapples for collecting the MAL voting data. I hope to do some follow up posts in the weeks ahead, delving a little deeper into the ratings to see whether there’s a difference between younger and older anime fans, trying different ranking algorithms, and finding out which anime are the most contentious. If you like this kind of thing, I post updates on my twitter account as well as here.
If you have any suggestions for other ways to analyse the data, or would like a copy of our data, please let me know via ask me anything, twitter, or reddit (:
