Objectification of Female Cosplayers in Indonesia Digital Communities through the Case of Ai Kirishima

This study explores the representation of female cosplayers in digital discourse, using the case of Ai Kirishima’s murder as a lens to examine how gender-based bias manifests in public online commentary. The phenomenon is significant due to the increasing normalization of victim blaming and sexual objectification toward women in digital spaces, especially those engaged in pop culture expression like cosplay. Previous studies have addressed cyber harassment and online gender bias, yet few have critically examined how discursive practices shape collective perceptions of female victims in high-profile cases involving visual culture. This study formulates the problem of how netizen comments reflect gendered discourse that reinforces patriarchal values and justifies violence. Focusing on comments from TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram, the research employed a qualitative method with Fairclough’s critical discourse analysis to analyse 120 selected comments. Data were coded thematically and interpreted across three levels: textual, discursive practice, and social context. The study reveals how women are consistently portrayed as passive objects subject to judgment, objectification, and blame, while perpetrators are often defended. These findings highlight the urgent need for gender-sensitive digital literacy and stronger content moderation policies. The study also acknowledges its limitation in scope and calls for broader research using inclusive and comparative approaches across digital cultures.