Like most people, I have pet peeves. For example, I dislike tailgaters, chewing gum-spitters, and drivers who text behind the wheel. On the internet, I have a few pet peeves as well. Some of which are flamers, trolls, and my biggest pet peeve ever, spoilers! I hate spoilers. They can be anywhere, in any review of any media: books, games, movies and anime. I don’t mind if they exist, to each their own, yadda yadda, but put a frick’n sign up as a warning. It’s only polite.
Some people have no idea they’re spoiling an anime or manga, it just doesn’t register adding key instances or the ending to their article might ruin the series for other people. Or perhaps they think they’re doing folks a favor by filling them in the most thorough manner possible so fans know what they’ll be investing time and money in. Thanks but no thanks.
Then there are the people who just don’t give a crap about spoiler etiquette. People like this usually know they’re spoiling something but have this mindset of, “I already read/ watched X, screw your anime needs; I got mine.” It’s tough to write a summary without spilling the beans, I should know. But Spoiler Reviewers are too damn lazy to put actual thought into what they’re writing. These are the same jackasses who printed the ending to Harry Potter in the local St. Louis culture zine.
I’ve read many a review and plot summary of series I’ve already watched and am dumbfounded as to why anyone would put crucial plot points up for all to see without a heads up. Be it ignorance or maliciousness, reviews or summaries without a friendly advance warning are rude. If I see a review or summary with “!!!!!SPOILERS!!!!!”, it becomes my choice whether or not I choose to read it and potentially ruin an anime. Give me the power to choose by putting up that one word, and in my mind, any writer who tells the whole story is absolved of any damages incurred.
Have you been the victim of drive-by-spoilers? Was an anime or manga ruined by random, hidden spoilers? Are spoilers OK, as long as they’re marked? Do you like spoilers and don’t mind that some pieces have no warning? Are you guilty of poor spoiler etiquette? Should spoilers even exist on a reviews site? What’re your thoughts on spoilers?
Tell us your thoughts on spoilers and spoiler etiquette in the comments below!
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