It looks like Tokyo Metropolitan Government's trying to amend the Youth Healthy Development Ordinance (Bill 156). They are trying to prevents the sale and renting of "harmful publications". Pretty much what they mean by this is any materials that are "sexually stimulating, encourages cruelty, and/or may compel suicide or criminal behavior."
The Govenor Ishihara of Tokyo also stated that:“Anyone who claims it’s not harmful to children to draw manga that features the sex life of married couples and the such are idiots. Tell them, ‘You need to go cool your heads."
"Ishihara responded to the Tokyo Parent Teacher Association’s December 3 petition in support of the bill by saying, “It’s not just about children. We’ve got homosexuals casually appearing even on television. Japan has become far too untamed. I’ll go forward with [this bill] with a sense of mission in heart.”
If you want to get a better understanding of what is in the bill, check out Dan Kanemitsu's Paper Trail. It give you a brief review of what is in the bill. From what I read, there are some heavy handed stuff, but if this was actually written right, it would go a long way to protect kids. How it is currently written though, has so many damn loopholes, it will cause confusion more than anything else.
All this has already sent ripples of discontent through the Anime and Manga Industy. It may even lead to a very quiet or non-existent Toyko Anime Fair in 2011 as noted by who will not be there from this poster.
It seems that several publishers are dropping from the Fair due to the this as well. There are a total of 10 Publishers (some big names are Kodansha, Shogakukan and Kadokawa) that have said this "... ban is completely vague and tramples underfoot the previous understandings between publishers and the Tokyo government.”
Shinichiro Inoue who is the CEO of a number of companies at Kadokawa, tweeted this
:"Kadokawa has decided it will not be participating in next year’s Tokyo Anime Fair – the attitude of the Tokyo government to mangaka and the anime industry simply won’t do."
Look guys (and gals), we can do the right thing here without book burning. We have all seen how it gets out of here in the US when a good idea turns into a frenzy. Cool heads need to prevail and really make sure these "laws" don't destroy the one thing we all love - girls in short school uniforms. I really feel bad for all the fans as this could lead to a sad New Year in 2011 for the stuff we love and enjoy.
Fuck, as I was writing this, Sankaku Complex popped up a new story called "Mangaka "My Publisher has Banned School Uniforms". Now things really are going to Hell in a Hand basket.
Sources: Japan Probe | Sankaku Complex | Anime News Network
Ah I had read somewhere that some important companies weren't going to be at the fair. I see why now.
ReplyDelete:(
ReplyDeleteSigh...
@lovelyduckie ~ it is just getting crazy now
ReplyDelete@Yi ~ I agree with that entirely
I don't believe anything from SC
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to follow this story for a while now, and honestly it feels like back when the American government wanted to put a ban on violent video games. When in reality the games being called into question weren't really that bad and were never targeted towards the younger audience in the first place, and even more difficult for kids to get a hold of without the parents getting involved in the purchase. It feels the same only this time its towards anime.
ReplyDeleteI really just want to know what series these people are talking about when they call them "sexually stimulating, encourages cruelty, and/or may compel suicide or criminal behavior." If they gave examples it would be nice, but since they are being so hush hush about it, I can't help but think they are talking about series like Kodacha. Cause it does fit the bill. The series does address sex in middle school and with older adults, but the story is handled well enough to where its neither pornographic or offensive. Not to mention a few characters do say they feel like killing themselves and those moments make for great drama.
Also I do think this is a giant screw you to creative writers by limiting themselves to only write about certain subject matters. Stories are better when people have all of the creative freedom that they want, and making things awkward is great for both dramatic and comedic reasons.
@Kluxorious ~ it was not just SC, but was over a lot of site scary
ReplyDelete@ CJhitchcock ~ well the world has ended and they passed the bill - WTF now!
I guess it is all about where and when to draw the line. For one foreign countries started to pin point those anime adult themes and some how the pressure had transfer to Japan itself. It is only a matter of time they themselves have to take some action which result to be like this. So who to blame?
ReplyDeleteIn fact, the current ACG industry has been constantly testing the patience of the public. Even the otaku parent will feel embarass by showing their kids anime title like Queen's Blade & Ikkitousen, so what we can expect from public?
ReplyDeleteI would say it is the time for anime industry to pay the price for being too "fan-service".
I agree with B-Mecha. If they hadn't gotten so caught up in the money that came from so damn much "fan service"-centric series and stuck to producing quality series this probably wouldn't have happened. But since it DID happen, Pre-existing series that are worth a damn are now in danger. -__-
ReplyDelete@B-Mecha ~ I have to agree with them pushing the envelope on what they produce - Seikon no Qwaser is a prime example as well.
ReplyDelete@Aaron MK ~ It sucks that Sex Sells and that we all get draw into the Fan Service, but it gave them the $$ to keep moving forward
como se llama ese anime que sale en la imagen http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zylxxvtiFPM/TQWQRa61tnI/AAAAAAAAFy0/PID6OCYECGM/s1600/index-dragon_destiny.jpg
ReplyDeleteporfavor diganme pofa
@Anonymous ~ that is from Ikki Tousen: Dragon Destiny
ReplyDelete