Can you meet people on 9monsters? I checked the reviews, pricing, and safety

“Can you actually meet people on 9monsters?”

That was the biggest question I had when researching gay apps.

Looking at the reviews, opinions are split right down the middle between “I met people easily” and “It was a total bust.”

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I have been using gay apps for several years.

To be honest, I got pretty tired of them halfway through.

So this time, I re-examined 9monsters, also known as Naimon, one by one, from the official site to the app store.

I will state the conclusion first.

9monsters is a strong app if you want to “casually meet people nearby.”

However, when it comes to “carefully searching for a serious partner,” opinions vary from person to person.

That is the dividing line between being able to meet people and not being able to.

What is 9monsters? I organized the management and mechanism

First, I confirmed what kind of app 9monsters is.

9monsters is an app operated by Appli-Bros Co., Ltd.

It is for gay and bisexual men and is a long-standing service in Japan that has been around since 2011.

When you open the app, a list of users nearby is displayed.

The flow is set up for you to send a signal to someone you are interested in, talk, and then meet.

A distinctive feature is the "breeding" system.

It has a unique design where users are categorized into nine types of monsters.

You select others rhythmically by choosing "Type" or "Not Type".

If both parties select "Type," a match is made.

At first, it was so unique that I was a bit confused.

However, as I used it more, I felt it was well-designed as a way to connect with people nearby.

Regarding the scale of the user base, I checked the app store description.

Numbers change depending on the time and counting method.

However, it is certainly among the larger-scale gay apps in Japan.

9monsters Reviews and Reputation | Positive Feedback and Concerns

The reviews were clearly divided between positive feedback and concerns.

First, here are the points that are highly rated.

• You can connect with people nearby immediately

• You can try messaging for free

• You can start without showing your face

• There are many users, making it easy to find someone in urban areas

The impression was that the "ease of use" received the most praise.

On the other hand, there were also some clear concerns.

• The features available for free are limited

• Complaints that the premium subscription price has increased

• Anxiety about being identified through location data

• Presence of impersonators and accounts that seem to be bots or businesses

What is interesting is that these pros and cons are essentially two sides of the same coin.

The location data that enables you to "meet people nearby immediately" is the very same thing that causes anxiety about being identified.

The ease of access that allows anyone to join for free also makes it easier for impersonators to enter.

As I researched this, I found this to be a very insightful point.

In other words, the reputation of 9monsters is not about whether the app itself is good or bad.

It is an app whose perception changes depending on whether it matches your personal goals.

What separates those who "can meet" from those who "cannot meet"?

Voices saying they met someone, and voices saying they didn't.

Why is there such a divide, even though it is the same app?

As I investigated, the dividing lines could be narrowed down to roughly three.

1. Where you live

9monsters uses a system that displays people nearby based on distance.

Therefore, in urban areas, candidates appear one after another.

On the other hand, in rural areas, there are simply few registered users nearby.

The complaint that "it's always the same faces" was a matter of the number of people, not how it's used.

② Does the purpose match?

9monsters is an app with a strong "right now, nearby" vibe.

It is well-suited for casual encounters and finding friends.

However, if you are looking for "someone for a serious, long-term relationship," the temperature difference can be significant.

For those with goals leaning toward marriage hunting, it seems many feel it is lacking.

③ Do you take initiative?

Just waiting passively while remaining on the free plan.

In this case, responses tend to be slow.

Those who are active and move frequently tend to be the ones meeting people.

However, there is one point to be careful about here.

At the time of registration, identity verification using an ID card is not required.

In other words, you must assume that people who have lied about their age or are impersonating others could be mixed in.

Before asking "can I meet people?", it was also necessary to look at "can I meet them safely?"

I will check the pricing and safety next.

I checked the pricing and safety of 9monsters

These are the basics of money and safety that determine whether you can meet people or not.

1. Pricing: How much can you use for free?

The pricing is basically free.

You can also try exchanging messages for free.

On top of that, upgrading to Premium (paid) unlocks additional features.

• You can use search filters

• Location updates become faster

• You are displayed preferentially in auditions

You can meet people for free, but if you want to play to your strengths, paying is usually a prerequisite.

That is how I felt it was designed.

However, you need to be careful about the price of Premium.

This is because I found several reports that the price has been raised in the past.

The amount fluctuates depending on the time and campaigns.

Therefore, I will not state a specific amount here.

Please check the latest tax-included price in the store.

2. Safety: Risks of being identified and impersonation

Regarding safety, there were both good aspects and points to be aware of.

First of all, there are measures in place to prevent your identity from being exposed.

• You can use it without showing your face

• You can slightly shift your location using camouflage

• You can block persistent users

On the other hand, I also saw some structural risks.

As mentioned earlier, identity verification via ID is not mandatory.

Therefore, there is a possibility that impersonators or people lying about their age may be mixed in.

The location information is also precise, so if you leave it at the default settings, there is a risk that your daily living area could be inferred.

What concerned me even more were the stories about romance scams.

This is not limited to 9monsters; public institutions are warning about this across all dating services.

You are guided to external services like LINE at an early stage.

Talk of money or investments comes up before meeting in person.

If these things come up, it seems best to be cautious.

It is also reassuring to keep a contact for consultation in case you feel uneasy.

The Consumer Hotline "188" is a number that connects you to your local consumer affairs center.

While researching, I felt that this was not something to be taken lightly.

The flip side of the ease of meeting people is that you are responsible for protecting yourself.

There is no need to limit yourself to just one app.

As a point of comparison, it is easier to choose if you also look at platforms that have been operating in Japan for a long time.

Check out the official G!!! website

Who 9monsters is for, who it isn't for, and other options to consider

Let's summarize the pros and cons so far.

It is suitable for people like this.

• Living in an urban area

• Wanting casual encounters or to find friends

• Wanting to connect with people nearby immediately

• Wanting to start anonymously at first

Conversely, it is less suitable for people like this.

• Living in a rural area with few registered users nearby

• Wanting to look for serious relationships or marriage in a relaxed manner

• Tending to be passive and waiting for others

• Wanting to reduce the hassle of dealing with impersonators

9monsters is not a question of whether it is a good or bad app.

It is powerful if it matches your purpose, but tiring if it doesn't.

That is the type of app it is.

If the "casual" side seems to suit you, it's a good idea to compare it with other services before choosing.

G!!! is a free-to-register gay-oriented service that has been operating in Japan for a long time.

It also has a feature to search for people nearby, so you can use it with a similar feel to 9monsters.

Check out the registered users and features on G!!!

On the other hand, as was the case for me, there are also people who "want a more relaxed encounter rather than something casual."

In that case, there is also the option of a marriage consultation agency, not just apps.

I wrote about my story of switching from app fatigue to marriage hunting in another article.

Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

I have summarized and organized the questions that people often have before registering.

Q. Can I meet people for free?

Meeting people itself was possible even for free.

However, if you just wait passively, the response tends to be slow.

People who take the initiative tend to be the ones who actually meet others.

Q. Will my identity be exposed?

There is no service anywhere that can prevent it 100%.

However, showing your face is optional, and there is also a camouflage feature to shift your location.

You can lower the risk through settings and usage, such as revealing photos in stages.

Q. Are there fake profiles or scammers?

It seems unlikely that the old definition of "shills" hired by the management applies here.

On the other hand, it is assumed that third-party vendors and impersonators may be mixed in.

If you feel something is suspicious, the standard procedure is to report and block them.

Q. How do I cancel my membership or subscription?

It is safest to complete the cancellation process before the renewal date.

If you pass the 24-hour mark before the renewal date, you will be automatically charged for the next period.

Please check the app or the respective store's instructions for details on the procedure.

Q. Can I use it in rural areas?

Yes, you can.

However, the ease of meeting people depends on the number of registered users nearby.

There were many comments that it is difficult to meet people in rural areas because the user base is small.

Conclusion | What I found out and my personal take

After looking into it, the profile of 9monsters became clear.

Its strength is "meeting people nearby, casually, and immediately."

Its weaknesses are the small user base in rural areas, the gap with those looking for serious relationships, and the fact that self-protection is a prerequisite.

None of these are because the "app is bad," but rather a matter of "whether it suits you or not."

Personally, I wanted a more settled relationship rather than casual ones, so I changed my approach along the way.

But there was certainly a time when I wanted to enjoy casual connections too.

Therefore, I have no intention of denying 9monsters.

What is important is what you are looking for right now.

Once that is decided, choosing an app becomes much easier.

I hope you find your "perfect distance."

If you want to start casually, one option is to check out G!!!, which is free to register.

Try G!!! for free