From Cosplay to Chaos: The Arrest of Kit Noel at Texas Anime Convention

 

When 25-year-old cosplay influencer Kendra Noel Manning, better known online as Kit Noel, walked into the San Japan Anime + Gaming Convention in San Antonio, she wasn’t just another guest in costume - she was about to become headline news.

By the end of that weekend, she’d swapped her pastel wig and sequined boots for handcuffs.

A Viral Persona with a Dark Turn

Kendra had built a following of over 115,000 TikTok fans, known for her elaborate anime cosplays, energetic livestreams, and chaotic sense of humor. Her videos often blended comedy with commentary on convention culture, sponsorships, and fan rivalries.

But on September 2, 2025, things took a dark and very real turn.
According to San Antonio Police, Manning allegedly made terroristic threats against another content creator during a heated argument at the convention center.

Witnesses told officers she said she would “blow up this place and everyone in it” after an altercation near the vendor hall - words that, in a post-Uvalde America, trigger an immediate, zero-tolerance response.

Security quickly detained her and evacuated part of the venue. She was arrested on-site and charged with a Third-Degree Felony - Terroristic Threat to Impair Public Service.

What Sparked It All

According to court filings and multiple eyewitness accounts reported by the New York Post, the confrontation began over a sponsorship dispute involving an energy drink brand that both creators promoted.
Manning reportedly accused her rival of “stealing” a contract she’d been negotiating. The shouting match escalated until someone called security.

When police arrived, Kendra allegedly refused to leave, citing her status as “a public figure with media rights.” Moments later, she was taken into custody in front of dozens of fans - some of whom were still recording on their phones.

The Charges and Fallout

She was booked into Bexar County Jail under her legal name, Kendra Noel Manning.
Her bond was set at $35,000, and she was also issued a criminal-trespass notice, permanently banning her from the San Japan convention grounds.

In Texas, a third-degree felony can carry up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $10,000.
As of late September, Manning’s defense attorney insists that the statement was taken out of context - “a heated figure of speech,” not a real threat.

But law enforcement disagrees. The San Antonio Police Department described the case as “a serious threat that disrupted public safety at a major event.”

The Internet Reacts

Within hours, the hashtags #KitNoelArrested and #AnimeConDrama were trending on TikTok and X (formerly Twitter). Fans split into camps: some defended her as “over-dramatic but harmless,” while others said she’d finally “gone too far.”

Clips of her being escorted out in full cosplay - metallic armor, half-applied glitter, and all - quickly went viral.
One convention attendee told reporters, “It felt surreal. We thought it was part of a skit until the cops started shouting.”

Cosplay, Fame, and the Fine Line

The case of Kit Noel isn’t just about one bad day at a convention. It’s a window into how internet celebrity and real-world consequences collide.

In an online world where outrage equals engagement, the line between performance and reality keeps getting thinner.
Creators build personas that thrive on chaos - until the chaos becomes real.

And when that happens, the police don’t care about followers, sponsors, or livestreams.
They care about the law.

What’s Next

Kendra Manning is currently out on bail, awaiting a court date scheduled for November 2025.
Her TikTok account remains suspended, and her sponsorship contracts - including one with a gaming accessories brand - have been terminated.

If convicted, she faces up to 10 years in prison.

San Antonio Police confirmed that event security protocols will be “tightened” for future conventions following the scare.