People are tired of the hate surrounding the canonical adult version of Tobias Erin Rogers because fans want to respect the creator’s vision, ensure a more mature depiction of trauma, and put an end to years of exhausting fandom drama.
The pushback against the hating or rejecting of Toby's aging up and separation from Creepypasta comes down to a few major factors:
1. Respecting the Creator's Wishes
The original creator grew deeply uncomfortable with how the Creepypasta fandom romanticized and infantilized Toby.
Fandom tropes frequently turned a traumatized, tragic serial killer into a cutesy, waffle-obsessed teenager. Kastoway stepped away from the fandom and officially aged Toby into adulthood (transitioning him to an older, cold, and calculated character).
Many fans defend this adult canon simply to respect the artist's ownership and boundaries over their own creation.
For years, the Creepypasta community has been plagued by rumors, severe harassment directed at creators, and massive misinformation campaigns.
Fans who support the canonical adult Tobias are exhausted by purists who gatekeep the character based on old 2013-era headcanons.
Defending the adult version is a way to push past outdated fandom cycles and embrace the character’s actual, official timeline.
3. Realism and Narrative Depth
In the official lore updates, Toby continues to grow. According to age charts and character profiles, he progresses into his 20s and 30s, naturally growing taller and shifting in personality as the timeline advances.
------------------- why people love Adult Tobias Erin Rogers
Fans of this version appreciate that an adult Tobias allows for a much darker, psychologically complex, and realistic exploration of trauma, survival, and the grueling life of a Slender Man proxy—moving away from childish, "soft" characterizations.
People love the canon adult Tobias Erin Rogers because he acts as a deeply human "vent character" whose real-world trauma, psychological depth, and complex maturity offer a refreshing alternative to his historical, over-commercialized fanon depiction.
Fans deeply appreciate the shift away from the "waffle-loving, hyperactive teen" trope to a more grounded, tragic, and psychologically complex adult version of the character.
Real-World Vulnerability and Venting
Relatable Trauma: The original story written by Kastoway anchors Tobias in devastatingly real hardships. He copes with severe physical and neurological conditions, an abusive family dynamic, and the profound grief of losing his sister, Lyra.
Cathartic Venting: Many community members treat the canon character as a vent outlet. Seeing a character struggle with severe mental health issues, emotional volatility, and alienation allows readers to process their own vulnerabilities in a dark fantasy setting.
Subverting Flawless Slasher Tropes
Genuinely Obnoxious Personality: Canon Tobias is not a sanitized, playful companion, nor is he a silent, emotionless powerhouse.
He is written as sarcastic, obnoxious, emotionally unpredictable, and possessive of a deeply morbid sense of humor.
Flawed and Messy Appeal: Fans love the adult canon version specifically because he is fundamentally unpolished. He has a split eyebrow, facial scarring, severe emotional instability, and an awkward social disposition rather than a "cool, buff monster" aesthetic.
The Aesthetic Transformation of Age
Grown-Up Visual Design: The reimagining of Tobias as an adult—complete with messy, unkempt brown hair, a rugged build, and his signature medical injuries—makes for a highly striking horror design.
Narrative Evolution: An adult version allows creators and cosplayers to explore a dark trajectory. It shows how a deeply traumatized teenager, permanently severed from normal life by the Slender Man Connection Lore, would look and behave after years of surviving as an operator's proxy.
