HOLY SH%!

[Tenchi Ryu]

I'm speechless....
http://www.sankakucomplex.com/2010/12/13/tokyo-anime-manga-ban-passes/

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-12-13/tokyo-youth-ordinance-bill-approved-by-committee

 

[Senkusha]

Wow! No doubt, [They] just killed the Anime and manga industry! That bill is 100% in complete agreement with censorship if I've ever seen it. I see the initial thoughts of the bill towards blocking kiddy porn related stuff, but I personally feel that this bill goes way too far, in that it may also ban violence within the medium. Hell, Tenchi Muyo could be considered blacklisted for some of it's content.

In my opinion, anime has always stood for "where no cartoon dares to go before", this law essentially strips the industry of the one master component it had going for it -- the ultimate freedom and expression of "what if...?"

I only hope that the Japanese legislative process has something akin to our "Veto" power or voice of the people (like our Constitution) to denounce such a vile act of censorship.

 

[Seto-fan1]

Oh well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. Can't say I'm surprised.

 

[electricvolcano]

I am deeply saddened by this. Japan is the leader in fiction, well was, and now it's chosen to snuff-out it's own identity. America will follow suit since it's trying to kill the video game industry anyway. Are we heading for another dark age where there will be no freedom of speech or expression?

 

[Sunshiner]

You know sometimes I really wonder if our society will eventually become one of a dystopia like that of Fahrenheit 451 or 1984. I mean all it takes is one event to get the ball rolling, though I highly doubt this is that catalyst. Still makes you think sometimes.

 

[Kiyami]

I'm glad I got my Tenchi manga when I was there earlier then..

 

[Senkusha]

You know sometimes I really wonder if our society will eventually become one of a dystopia like that of Fahrenheit 451 or 1984. I mean all it takes is one event to get the ball rolling, though I highly doubt this is that catalyst. Still makes you think sometimes.

9/11 was that catalyst. We're (USA) has already been steadily heading towards a socialist mentality. Big Brother? Look at the UK. They have traffic cams that watch your every move -- they even can convict somebody from these cameras. We've pretty much lost our right to privacy, and thanks to wikileaks, we're going to be loosing our freedom of speech soon.

Thanks a lot all ye Progressives!

After giving this topic some thought, I'm going to choose to remain optimistic, and that this law will not cripple the manga/anime industry.

 

[JibrilMudo]

We've pretty much lost our right to privacy, and thanks to wikileaks, we're going to be loosing our freedom of speech soon.

Don't blame Wikileaks, that is only a pretext. The people pushing for it would use nearly anything as a pretext.


The good thing about Wikileaks is that it's giving you a heads up on the battle.

 

[Takeda Kenji]

9/11 was that catalyst. We're (USA) has already been steadily heading towards a socialist mentality. Big Brother? Look at the UK. They have traffic cams that watch your every move -- they even can convict somebody from these cameras. We've pretty much lost our right to privacy, and thanks to wikileaks, we're going to be loosing our freedom of speech soon.

Thanks a lot all ye Progressives!

After giving this topic some thought, I'm going to choose to remain optimistic, and that this law will not cripple the manga/anime industry.

Why the hell are you blaming -progressives- ? I hate to break it to you, bud but the lillylivered, bleeding heart, hippy, egghead, so-called communist PROGRESSIVES are usually found backing such organizations as ACLU that fights such Big Brother tactics, and is a watchdog against the very things you described.

Are they right? Are they good? Do they take it too far/not far enough? -Different- discussion. I'm a progressive, I read Huffington Post and while I'm not an expert on how life works or the intricacies of politics (nor does read a news aggregation site make me an expert), it does lend some insight into the what people like me believe in. I do believe you are quite off base when you blame progressives for turning things into a big brother state or exploiting 911. That wasn't our bag, man.

EDIT: Also...why are you pissed off at Wikileaks? You're shooting the messenger.

Also, from what I read of the article, the changes they're proposing will change anime, yes. But it won't kill it. We've had the MPAA for years and it hasn't killed mainstream hollywood OR the Indie circuit. It's a troubling trend but if you think this was the worst bit of censorship or oppression we've ever faced, you've not studied your history. And really, anime is a 65 year old institution...I don't think a change to their ratings law is the death knell at all. And since I'm past the age of majority...a sticker on the stuff I like saying -18 up - doesn't bother me in the slightest.

So in conclusion, would you like me to put up a privacy screen while you all get the twists out of your frilly panties?

 

[shades of blue]

Well, at least Tokyo finally has a slogan of it's own...

Neo Tokyo; homos, foreigners and otaku not welcome

[Do not edit the homos part, it's meant to drive home just how offensive this ban and the recent comments of Shintaro Ishihara really are. Checkout his wikipedia page, this jerkoff has a history of mouthing off however he wishes and still holding office. Disgusting. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shintar%C5%8D_Ishihara]

 

[Takeda Kenji]

Well, at least Tokyo finally has a slogan of it's own...

Neo Tokyo; homos, foreigners and otaku not welcome

[Do not edit the homos part, it's meant to drive home just how offensive this ban and the recent comments of Shintaro Ishihara really are. Checkout his wikipedia page, this jerkoff has a history of mouthing off however he wishes and still holding office. Disgusting. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shintar%C5%8D_Ishihara]

Oh wow, this guy sounds like a real winner.

 

[JibrilMudo]

I never really heard that anime or manga was controversial in Japan until the last 6 months. Is this a new development or has it been counterculture this entire time?

 

[SimmyChoy]

Well Japan is currently going through some major social and cultural issues (beside economically which we're also going through). Besides high suicide rates, they also have low birth rates and an aging population.

How does this relate to anime and mangas? Well this goes to the cultural aspect. After all, one of the reasons for this bill could be due to some of the recent animes that were coming out which, while I have no problems with it, you gotta admit they're definitely pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable. Oreimo for example, even if it doesn't end in 'wincest', the fact that it's a possibility would raise eyebrows. To Aru Majutsu no Index? Love the series. But it is also choke full of fanservice. And not just fanservice like a panty shot of an adult woman. But fanservice with characters that are clearly under 18... heck, under 16. Kuroko for example. And let's not forget about the whole School Days situation.

Don't get me wrong, I still feel this law is bad and goes what I've always been saying. It's better for the industry to self regulate, than have some overbearing government tell it what to do. One of the issues has to do with the fact that there are only two classifications for anime and manga. Everyone and R-18. So a series that isn't R-18 (like say a Berserk) can be sold alongside Hamtaro. This law for example does nothing with R-18 because since they're classified as adult to begin with, nothing changes. So all those sick rape mangas? As long as they're R-18 nothing will happen to them. The problem comes when you have 'borderline' ecchi series like To Love Ru that will now either have to be reclassified as R-18, or canceled. R-18 is unattractive much in the same way an NC-17 is here in the US (sold in less places, less places for revenue, etc.). With that said, reading what it does, I do feel that the reaction is a bit on the overreacting side like on 4chan to the law. It's not the end of the anime industry as we know it. It will force changes, but it's not going to cause a One Piece, Bleach, or Naruto to disappear. Ah!My Goddess should have no problems since most of the characters are over 18 to begin with. At worse, Skuld might have less fanservicy scenes but yes. We'll see less Panty and Stocking with Garterbelts and other 'boundary pushing' animes/mangas, but the industry as a whole won't be gone.

 

[Zigra]

But fanservice with characters that are clearly under 18... heck, under 16. Kuroko for example. And let's not forget about the whole School Days situation.

Actually, that may not be illegal in Japan. It is my understanding that the age of consent in Japan is 12. Or has that been changed recently?

 

[Tenchi Ryu]

Yea I understand on how the whole problem with slapping on an R-18 rating could be damaging to your pride and not accepted. Hell look at the porn and zesty material industry, its all internet now, but back when you actually had to go into the "adult" section of the video store, then the "shame" of coming out with 2 or 3 videos, add to the fact you are a family man? Not a good look.

I love that funimation doesn't just consider stuff either kids or adult for their anime. They're rating system for anime is treated JUST like regular tv, you get PG, 14, and MA. It'll really make me upset if good series like future Tenchi and Sekirei installments have to get a nasty R-18 sticker slapped on just cause they showed a few nipples or ecchi material. And basically you are left with two options: Praying that your show was popular enough that true fans will still be dedicated to purchasing your material even with less places to find it, the "shame" of buying it and now more limited availability meaning price increases, or just having to throw in the white flag.....Its a d*** shame

 

[JibrilMudo]

Actually, that may not be illegal in Japan. It is my understanding that the age of consent in Japan is 12. Or has that been changed recently?

I think they raised it to 14 nationally a few years back IIRC (not 100% sure) but individual prefectures (comparable to states here?) have their own ages, often higher -- maybe not 18 but like 16.

 

[shades of blue]

Actually, that may not be illegal in Japan. It is my understanding that the age of consent in Japan is 12. Or has that been changed recently?

I could be wrong, but i believe Japan does not have an AOC law. The current law is referred to as the anti-[child] prostitution law. It effectively says that anyone engaging in sex under the age of 18 is breaking the law, regardless of the age of either party. If was instilled because Japan would rather arrest kids than target [actual] child molesters. And Japan's unwillingness to make prostitution an enforceable illegal act. [Not that I believe that all prostitution should be illegal. Merely regulated, see Germany's prostitution system, for example.]

Filipino & Thai slave-girls working their pink districts; not a problem
Japanese girls hooking for overpriced clothing; fall of Japan's 'moral order'

That's pretty much their stance, once you get passed the bullsh*t. The government officials do not give a sh*t* about anyone who illegally entered the country and are far more concerned about what their own daughters are doing, while wanting to f*ck everything else in sight. So they blanket ban it [no sex under eighteen], as it's just easier to enforce [Japan loves to brag about their conviction rate] and does not ruin it for their own philandering.

 

[SimmyChoy]

Should be noted that AOC alone isn't the same as what is 'acceptable' for what can be shown in the entertainment industry. While the general rule is you have to be 18 and older to be shown naked/having sex in the US in terms of the entertainment industry and, if you want to avoid statutory rape charge, in real life too, individual states in the US can have lower AOC laws. Heck, some are as low as 15 or 16 from what I understand. For a while, Canada had it as low as 13 before they changed that law. No issue of an 18 year old portraying a highschooler here, as long as the actor is 18. Cartoons as we all know are mostly for 'kids' here (as much as we would like that to change, it's still basically the truth) and so doesn't run into the same issue as it does in Japan.

Japan obviously has different laws so the above doesn't necessarily apply. Though having sex with anyone under 18 is considered illegal regardless of consent, could be applied to the manga/anime showing just that would be showing something that couldn't/shouldn't be done in real life. And if each prefecture does have a different AOC law (if they have one to begin with), it's still an issue because an anime/manga company would have to worry about showing something that would be legal in all places. Not just one prefecture.

That all being said, the above issues shows the problem of when the government gets involved when they are too cowardly to do the right thing (i.e. pass laws that actually do stop the ones that need to be stop) and instead go after easier straw men like anime or mangas.

 

[Tenchi Ryu]

This guy is such a f***ing prick!
Why in the hell those people put him in office?!
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2010-12-17/tokyo-governor/restricted-works-are-for-those-with-warped-dna

 

[Takeda Kenji]

The same reason we put pricks in office. The same reason everyone in a democracy does: because they don't follow it (the story) or they don't care or they don't believe it.