This isn't a social networking site so you shouldn't expect it to be used like one. Poke around people's lists as much as you like, they're public after all. And you can start or engage in discussions about works in the comments and such and maybe you can forge friendships like that. Just be aware that for many users, they're only here to read, and set your expectations accordingly
I guess some people use the timeline function, in which case following others has a purpose. Otherwise, most of the people I've seen with that many followers are people with popular lists, big uploaders, or really really active in the forums. Honestly I figured for the most part it was a reflexive action people do because they're so used to sns.
There's also DMs here so people can have non public conversations and make friends that way
Honestly great question, I sometimes want to follow some ppl w similar taste as me but I refuse to look like somebody's fan cus almost everyone here got like celebrity complex or somethin, I also disagree on this not being a social site, there's literally private messages + things where u post and talk and the question feature, along with the comment section, most sites don't even have half of these features so I would argue mangago was made in the intention for ppl to make friends and allat along side w reading, but yea moots are defo I think you just gotta interact alot w others to get them.

or is that not a thing on here ?? sometimes I'll follow people and they won't follow back and i get embarrassed i just want to make friends and see what other people are reading but its hard