Anime fans, don’t click that link
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MANILA, Philippines — Anime fans are advised against clicking links supposedly leading to exclusive episodes or leaked scenes of their favorite shows like “Naruto” and “Attack on Titan.” These might be phishing attacks to steal personal information.
According to a study by cybersecurity company Kaspersky, cyber criminals are targeting Gen Zs. This segment is deemed the “most anime-engaged generation in history” as 65 percent of them regularly watch content in this genre.
In addition to tricking them with exclusive episodes, some cyber criminals also bait the avid watchers with premium access to anime content.
“From anime to nostalgia-fueled movie marathons, Gen Z’s connection to on-screen worlds runs deep,” Kaspersky said.
“This unique attachment creates a security paradox: the more emotionally invested the viewer, the easier it is to trick them, and Gen Z’s enthusiasm is proving dangerously exploitable,” it added.
The study was conducted between the second quarter of last year and first quarter of 2025. Findings show that over 250,000 malware attempts were launched using popular anime titles. These incllude “Naruto,” “One Piece,” “Demon Slayer,” “Attack on Titan” and “Jujutsu Kaisen.”
Naruto was the most popular, with more than 114,00 cyber attacks, despite its first airing being over two decades ago.
For “Demon Slayer,” Kaspersky said it has seen a “meteoric rise” in recent years. This was amplified by viral moments and a growing global fan base. Thus, it became a natural target for cybercriminals looking to ride the wave of hype.” About 44,200 digital threat attempts used this show.
Attack attempts
Apart from anime content, cyber criminals are also using popular Western films and series in launching their attacks. These include “Shrek,” “Stranger Things,” “Twilight,” “Inside Out 2” and “Deadpool & Wolverine.”
About 43,000 attack attempts used the mentioned shows.
“This is primarily connected to the rise of attacks on “Shrek”, with over 36,000 attempts in total and a sharp spike in March 2025, double the monthly average for 2024,” Kaspersky explained.
In addition, the cybersecurity firm warned that perpetrators also launch their attacks by mimicking streaming platforms. Examples are Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Apple TV Plus and HBO Max.
What they do is they create fake log-in pages that are designed to steal personal information.
“With the rise of these cyber threats, it’s more important than ever for young users to stay vigilant and understand how to protect themselves online,” Kaspersky security expert Vasily Kolesnikov said.
The firm reminded the public to always use legitimate streaming services. Kaspersky added that the apps must be downloaded from official websites or digital marketplaces.
