I don't understand the hate towards weebs and whatever else they are called. There are far worse things to be into. Seems pretty innocent to me, enjoying animation.
I watched Love Live Sunshine once, it was great animation and a cute story line...why? If I watch Titans Attack or the one with the giant hamster something will change me? If it did, what business is it to anyone else?
I can't help but to believe this is one of those things that is hip to hate on. No real reason just hate it because everyone else does.
I'm not hating at all, I'm a big fan of anime myself! Which is why I know it's not really "innocent", as in "innocent mind" (even though of course it's innocent enough as opposed to "guilty").
Really, it depends on what anime you watch. Some are good, lighthearted films that you could watch along with a child (Summer Wars, Food Wars); some aren't exactly mature, but definitely not appropriate enough for a kid to watch (One Piece, Aggretsuko); some are... yeah, some are Tokyo Ghoul.
Elfen Lied, Mirai Nikki, That time I got reincarnated as a slime, How not to summon a demon lord, Overlord, That lie you told in April, Angel Beats, Blue exorcist, Violet Evergarden, The Devil is a part-timer... you really get all kinds of anime - all differently great.
You can't talk about ripping your heart out without mentioning Clannad+Clannad After Story!! If you haven't watched it but need some desperation in your life, I definitely recommend it. (Slow burn, innocent and annoying at first, soul crushing in the last episodes)
I can't help but to believe this is one of those things that is hip to hate on. No real reason just hate it because everyone else does.