Zander Small is an American content creator and entrepreneur based in San Antonio, Texas. He is known for anime-focused social media content and for organizing viral community events, and is a co-founder of the content protection platform Fanlock.[1][2]

Early life and education

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Small graduated from St. Mary's University in San Antonio with a master's degree in software engineering.[2][3]

Career

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Content creation

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Small began posting online in March 2024 with videos cosplaying the character Satoru Gojo from the anime series Jujutsu Kaisen.[4] He has described his content as primarily focused on anime, pop culture, and lifestyle, with a comedic sensibility.[2]

In December 2024, Small organized a Gojo lookalike contest at the Washington Square Arch in New York City, inspired by a similar Timothée Chalamet lookalike event organized by YouTuber Anthpo. The contest drew over 500 attendees, exceeding Small's expectations, and resulted in a $250 fine from the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation for holding an unpermitted event. The fine was ultimately paid by the English dub cast of Jujutsu Kaisen, including Kaiji Tang, Adam McArthur, and Anne Yatco.[5]

In April 2025, Small purchased 250 tickets to a screening of Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing at City Base Cinemas in San Antonio and distributed them to attendees dressed as Hatsune Miku.[4] He has organized additional community events themed around the Minecraft movie and other properties, which he has referred to as "side quests."[4]

Fanlock

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In February 2026, Small co-founded Fanlock, a content protection platform for digital creators, with adult content creator Morgpie.[3][1][6] Small serves as chief technical officer.[3] The platform uses DMCA takedowns and other legal tools, including provisions of the Take It Down Act, to remove leaks and deepfakes of creators' content across websites, file hosts, and messaging platforms such as Telegram.[1][6]

Small has said he built Fanlock after his girlfriend, also a content creator, experienced deepfakes and content leaks, and after hearing similar accounts from other creators.[3][2] The company raised a $200,000 seed round in 2026.[1]

Music

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Small released his debut single, "Gaijin in Tokyo," featuring 1Kyle8, in March 2026.[7]

References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 Glaze, Virginia (February 25, 2026). "Influencers take on AI deepfakes with their own creator protection agency". Dexerto. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Warner, Jessica (February 26, 2026). "Local content creator Zander Small joins fight against nonconsensual AI deepfakes". News 4 San Antonio (WOAI-TV). Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 McGrady Jr, Michael (March 3, 2026). "Morgpie and Zander Small Introduce Fanlock Content Protection". AVN. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 Warner, Jessica (April 20, 2025). "Miku Movie Mayhem: Creator buys 250 movie tickets, fills theater with cosplayers". Fox San Antonio (KABB). Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  5. Lazic, Tamara (December 27, 2024). "Jujutsu Kaisen Dub Cast Saves the Day After Chaotic Gojo Lookalike Contest". Anime Corner. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  6. 1 2 Gutelle, Sam (February 26, 2026). "A new platform "by creators, for creators" will root out AI deepfakes". Tubefilter. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  7. "Gaijin in Tokyo (feat. 1Kyle8)". Shazam. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
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