From Cosplay to Court: Kit Noel’s Bomb Threat Shock at San Japan

2 September 2025

At just 25, Kendra Noel Manning known online as “Kit Noel” had built a following of more than 115,000 on TikTok and over 16,000 on Instagram. Her TikTok channel frequently featured dramatic portrayals of characters such as Kitty Pryde from X‑Men and Marvel’s Scarlet Witch, each post polished and fierce. But all of that changed in an instant at San Japan: the annual San Antonio anime and gaming convention that draws enthusiasts from across Texas. It began with a social media comment and ended in a criminal arrest.

According to authorities, a dispute over Gamer Supps an energy drink popular among streamers spiraled out of control when Kit Noel replied to a rival booth’s Instagram story with a chilling message: “Planting a bomb in their booth today.” The comment was witnessed by a fellow convention-goer who immediately alerted event organizers. Security quickly got involved, and law enforcement was summoned.

When Manning showed up at the convention the next day, she was promptly denied entry and issued a criminal trespass warning by security. Later, investigators say, she admitted to making the threatening comment before leaving the venue. Police moved swiftly, arresting her that same evening and booking her on charges of making a terroristic threat specifically, the intent to impair public service or spread public fear a third-degree felony that carries up to a decade behind bars.

Public safety concerns at the event were very real, according to San Antonio police and convention insiders. Attendees described palpable fear among vendors and fans, many of whom fled or stayed away from the booth mentioned in the threat. It was an encounter that shifted the convention atmosphere from playful to tense.

Within hours, Manning was booked into Bexar County Jail. The next day she posted a $35,000 bond and was released. Conditions of her release include GPS-enabled house arrest, regular drug and alcohol testing, and a prohibition on firearms.

The fallout from the incident has rippled beyond law enforcement. The cosplay community known for creativity, camaraderie, and shared enthusiasm for pop culture felt the sting of this breach. Kit Noel had often been photographed in character as Raven from Teen Titans or Harley Quinn, and her striking visuals had always captivated. Yet beneath the artistic allure, her fiery social media reaction revealed how quickly online noise can erupt into real-world crisis.

Behind the cosplay makeup and staged aesthetics, this is now a legal battle. If convicted, Manning could face a sentence of up to ten years in prison. Investigators continue to examine the case; convention officials are reassessing safety protocols, especially regarding the moderation of social media chatter tied to public events.

What this incident underscores is a sobering truth: the boundary between virtual bravado and tangible danger can sometimes blur. Fans once welcomed cosplay with cheers and photo ops. Now, organizers face the sobering task of navigating the unpredictable fusion of internet drama and live convention culture.