Hey Reddit! I’ve been meaning to post this for a while, especially because I love watching AITA videos—but I kept thinking this issue was behind us. Then, out of nowhere, it creeps back in. So here we go.

I (25F) have been married for 5 years (together for 7) to my sweet, supportive husband (26M). We have a great relationship overall—we communicate well, support each other, share a lot of tastes, and genuinely enjoy spending time together. Even when it’s something that’s not really my thing (like a game or artist), I always give it a shot and encourage him to enjoy it. He does the same for me.

Now, to the point: I’ve never been into anime. I’d tried it before dating him (my brother is super into it), but it always felt too loud, overly dramatic, and filled with screaming/crying/motivational speeches that didn’t click with me. When I told my husband this early on, he suggested I try a short, investigative anime—and I loved it! After that, he introduced me to a few “classics” that were longer and more traditional anime-style. I watched them all, but to be honest, I dissociated through most of it and couldn’t recall a single detailed scene. I told him I liked them—not because I was lying exactly, but because I knew it mattered to him and I appreciated the effort he put into sharing them with me.

Then came The One. He recommended a series that annoyed me to my core—whiny characters, over-the-top reactions, unbearable dialogue. I kept trying, but it got to the point where I felt physical tension every time we turned it on. Eventually, he agreed to drop it, but I could tell he was disappointed. Later, he told me he wanted me to watch what he considered the greatest anime of all time. I hesitated—what if I hated that one too? What if I couldn’t hide it? I kept putting it off, and eventually we fought. He said it hurt that we didn’t share the same taste in everything, and that he puts a lot of effort into liking what I like—even if I never asked him to. I tried to explain that I do put effort in, too, just not in the exact same way.

Eventually, I did watch his favorite anime. It was tough at first, but I grew to appreciate it, and I thought that would be enough. We’ve since watched other shows that I’ve genuinely enjoyed—ones that align more with my taste. There are series I now look forward to watching with him, and I think that’s a good compromise.

But recently, the issue came up again. We were visiting one of his friends out of state, and they played an anime I didn’t really enjoy. I was tired, couldn’t keep up, and eventually dozed off. Later, my husband asked if we should keep watching it together, and I told him he could go on without me. He seemed okay with that, but it keeps coming up—he says it gets amazing and wants me to give it another shot.

Now he wants to watch a prequel to that same series, and I just haven’t felt up for it. When I stalled again, he got upset and said he doesn’t get why I won’t just do it—for him. He mentioned other couples who started watching anime because of their partners and now love it. I reminded him that I do watch anime with him. I’ve watched his favorite, others he suggested, and I’ve found some I love. But it feels like it’s never enough unless I love all of it—which puts a lot of pressure on me.

I told him it’s like the gym. He loves working out. I don’t. But I’ve supported him, tried it, even tagged along—but if he kept pushing me to go every day and do exactly what he does, I’d feel miserable.

He seemed to understand that analogy, but he’s still kind of mad. And now I’m wondering—am I being unreasonable? Am I a bad partner for not wanting to watch this anime, even after all the others I’ve sat through (and sometimes enjoyed)?

So, Reddit—AITA?