5 Sneaky Questions to Uncover if Your Crush is as Anime-Obsessed as You!
Whether you’re at an anime convention, chatting online, or grabbing ramen together for the first time, figuring out if your crush is as anime-obsessed as you are can be a delicate mission. You don’t want to come off too strong with your otaku spirit, but you also don’t want to invest in someone who can’t tell a shounen from a shoujo. So, how can you sneakily gauge if your crush is an anime fan without sounding like you’re running a background check?
Here are five subtle (and totally fun) questions that will help you uncover whether your crush has a stash of Pokémon cards, binge-watches the latest season of Demon Slayer, or just won’t get your Naruto references.
1. “If you could have dinner with any fictional character, who would it be?”
This question seems innocent enough, but the answer can reveal a lot! Anime fans are bound to pick a character from their favorite series. If your crush says they’d love to have ramen with Naruto, share coffee with L from Death Note, or enjoy a feast with the One Piece crew, you’ve got a fellow otaku on your hands.
Why It Works: This question is indirect but taps right into anime culture without putting anyone on the spot. Plus, it opens up a fun discussion where you can dream up wild dinner scenarios together—like whether you’d survive a meal with Saitama from One Punch Man.
2. “So…if you could only watch one genre forever, would it be action, fantasy, horror, or romance?”
Casual anime watchers might say they prefer "comedy" or "drama," while a true anime fan will likely name a classic anime genre like isekai, mecha, or slice of life. If they start talking about how they can’t live without their weekly dose of isekai fantasy, or if they can’t resist a heartfelt romance anime like Your Lie in April, chances are they’re into anime just as much as you are.
Why It Works: This is a great way to check if they know specific anime genres without directly asking, “Do you watch anime?” If they don’t mention any anime genres, you may need to gracefully accept that you might be the more anime-obsessed one.
3. “Have you ever cosplayed? Or, hypothetically, if you did cosplay, who would you dress up as?”
This question is a fun way to see if they’ve ventured into the world of cosplay, or at least thought about it! Even if they haven’t cosplayed before, any anime fan has probably imagined dressing up as their favorite character. If they start talking about how they’d love to nail Nezuko’s look from Demon Slayer, or they debate the pros and cons of trying to pull off Attack on Titan gear, you’ve definitely found an anime soulmate.
Why It Works: Cosplay is a big part of anime fandom culture, so asking this question can reveal if they’re into the convention scene, or if they’re more of a “watch from the couch” fan. Either way, it’s a fun way to talk about favorite characters and potentially plan a couple’s cosplay in the future!
4. “Ramen or sushi?”
Okay, this question may seem a little too simple, but trust me—it’s all about how they answer it. Anime fans tend to have a soft spot for Japanese culture, and if they start waxing poetic about the perfect bowl of ramen or their favorite sushi place in town, you know you’re in good company. Bonus points if they mention how they dream of having ramen just like Naruto, or if they start listing off different kinds of ramen (tonkotsu vs. miso, anyone?).
Why It Works: Japanese food is often featured in anime, and die-hard fans might have a particular obsession with ramen, matcha, or even weird Kit-Kat flavors they saw in an anime. If your crush has anime-inspired food preferences, you’ve likely got an anime fan on your hands!
5. “If you could bring any anime character into real life, who would it be?”
This one’s a bit bold, but it’s the perfect way to see if their heart beats for anime like yours. True anime fans will light up with excitement at this question, listing characters they wish they could hang out with in real life. You’ll know you’re talking to a fellow otaku if they immediately start debating who would be the best roommate, friend, or, ahem, romantic partner (come on, we all have an anime crush).
Why It Works: This question cuts to the chase—someone who has thought about bringing anime characters to life has definitely watched a lot of anime. And if you both end up choosing the same character, that’s a shared fandom moment waiting to happen.
Anime Bond or Not?
These questions are designed to be subtle but revealing, giving you insight into whether your crush is as anime-obsessed as you are. If they answer with excitement and anime references, congratulations—you’ve found a potential anime nerd. And if they don’t quite pass the otaku test? Well, maybe you’ve just recruited a new fan to binge-watch Dandadan with you!
At the end of the day, it’s about finding someone who loves what you love—or is at least open to exploring it with you. Who knows? You might even discover that your crush is secretly a huge anime fan who just needed the right conversation to open up. And if you’re ready for even more creative ways to connect, check out the Bondfire webapp to access fun, thought-provoking games and questions designed to help you bond over shared interests. You can sign up here and get access to even more “sneaky” questions that take your connection to the next level.
So go ahead, throw in some anime references, see if they bite, and maybe start planning a date at the next anime convention!