>>283227035 (OP)
It was weird/taboo so got 'attention' both positive and negative
The OP(?) was popular
Actual story apparently
Tribalism spurred discussion on 'best girl' etc which always helps keep something around for a bit
The subject matter of 'otaku' culture was more relevant at the time maybe, and less of some relic of the past like it is now(maybe, this is kinda loose)
FOMO, like most popular series is always a big factor too