According to the latest report from cybersecurity company Kaspersky, from the first quarter of 2024 to the first quarter of 2025, more than 250,000 cyber attacks were detected in the form of popular anime episodes ( cartoons produced from Japanese Manga comics) along with many popular entertainment platforms familiar to young people.
anime culture is a clear testament to Gen Z's commitment to the online entertainment world. With more than 65% of users regularly watching anime, Gen Z is the most anime-loving generation ever.
During the research, security experts at Kaspersky focused on analyzing the 5 games that are loved by Gen Z: Naruto, One Piece (Hai Tu), Demon Slayer (Gund of the Sea), attack on Titan), and Jujutsu Kaisen (Uncle Thuat Hoi Chien).
Since then, Kaspersky has detected and recorded 251,931 attacks, when cybercriminals distributed malware/ndesirable software by disguising them under famous anime headings.
Taking advantage of Gen Z's love for anime, cybercriminals often launch attractive "tests" such as "special cages", "leaked movies" or "free VIP access rights" to deceive users and distribute malware.
In addition to anime, Kaspersky also analyzed 5 iconic films and series that are still especially popular with Gen Z, including Shrek (Gay Chanh Tot Bung), Stranger Things (Cau Be Mat Tich), Twilight (Chang Vang), Inside Out 2 (Manh Gep Cam Xuc 2), and Deadpool & Wolverine (Deadpool And Wolverine). During the research period, a total of 43,302 attacks were recorded, with a significant increase occurring in early 2025.
Platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV Plus and HBO Max have also become places for cybercriminals to exploit. According to Kaspersky, there have been 96,288 attacks in which malicious or unwanted files are disguised as famous streaming services to deceive users.
The analysis shows that Netflix has become a prominent name with an alarming number of attacks: 85,679, along with more than 2.8 million fraudulent websites impersonating the platform's interface.
To enjoy your favorite shows safely and avoid the risk of cyber attacks, Kaspersky recommends:
- Experience the online interactive game Case 404, designed specifically for Gen Z to help players learn how to protect themselves in an increasingly risky digital world.
- Always use a legitimate registration package when accessing online streaming services and make sure you are installing the application from the official application store or website.
- Verify the authenticity of the website before entering any personal information. Only access official and reliable pages to view or download content, and carefully check the URLs as well as the way to write brand names to avoid fake pages.
- Be careful with download file format - files with a .exe or .msi end are often not videos, but software format, which can potentially endanger the device.
- Equip yourself with certified, reliable security solutions.
