The ban that has been in works for several years since UNICEF originally brought to light the game Rapelay has finally made its way past the legislation and was signed into law on December 15th, 2010. This thread is to discuss elements of the anime ban.


What is the Ban?
The Tokyo Anime ban's mission is an attempt to prevent anime from having harmful influences on the youth of Japan. This means that all anime released in Tokyo will have to go before a judging board to determine if an anime in question is within the scope of the ban or outside the scope of the ban. Animes contained within the ban will be marked as 18+ and have restricted distribution rules applied.

What is the Scope of the Ban?
All anime being produced in Tokyo. This ban does not prevent the production of anime in other cities, such as Osaka.

What is the Criteria of the Ban?
The ban is vague in the terms of what it covers. While the bill has yet to be fully translated, the key phrases that keep reoccuring between blog postings about the ban are:
Virtual Crimes that are likely to interfere with the healthy development of youth
Requirement of prudent application of the law in light of any artistic, social, scientific or satirical merits the work might express
Restriction of sales of anime, manga or games which “improperly glorify or emphasize” illegal sexual acts, such as rape, groping, BDSM, voyeurism, exhibitionism, etc.

This ranges from content such Hentai, to anime that have no negative intents, but have violent inspiring actions to them, such as Angel Beats. Similarly, anime that portray heavy usage of Guns, Killing, Sexual Harassment, and more would be underneath this ban. This includes long running anime such as Detective Conan and One Piece. Majority of Otaku-related anime are also targeted by this ban, such as Welcome to NHK!, Full Metal Panic (and company), and the recent The World God Only Knows and Ore no Imouto are also underneath of these conditions.

When does the Ban Start?
April 1st, 2011 is the first voluntary enforcement of the ban, where corporations have to show that they are starting to work on a process to adhere to the ban's conditions. July 1st, 2011 is the official mandatory first day.

Is the Anime Still Available?
Yes it is. The ban simply states that all anime which falls within its terms is no longer an anime with a age rating of youth (15+), but instead rated as adult (18+). In leau of this, that means that the anime cannot be readily accessible to minors without an ID check. Similarly, this means that broadcasting companies cannot broadcast the anime over the network.

Does this Effect Manga?
It is the same situation with Manga as Anime: marked as 18+ and sale is restricted. All of the policies listed apply similarly to manga publishers and sales divisions.

What does all of this mean?
It means that anime/manga that falls under the ban will no longer be able to be broadcast from stations located inside of Tokyo. This will ultimately result in less anime being produced, as many publishers are not willing to produce OADs or to digitally stream their anime. Similarly, sections that are littered with anime/manga related materials such as Akihabara will be strong armed, as majority of the content held in those shops are easily accessible to minors; thus failing at the condition of restricting sales to minors.

I find it odd that they specifically target anime and manga only and not every other media available. I mean there are other mediums out there like novels, movies and tv shows that can have harmful influences on the youth of Japan. Considering they only targeted anime and manga, this might just be an anti-otaku law more than it is "preserving Japan's youth"

That's the major counter argument right now. Especially since the mayor that spearheaded the law wrote a novel that contained material that would have fallen into the categories of this ban.


Also, I find it quite amazing that the previous lolicon ban for Tokyo, something that is highly suggestive if not illegal in other nations, in Tokyo somehow failed to pass, but this bill went through with minimal argument. How the heck does that happen? Apparently virtual child pornography isn't nearly as bad as the state of the entire anime industry as of late; at least to the DPJ.

Isn't this much similar to the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) accept government mandated? I also see how this could affect the amount of anime produced, but there is also the possibility that the quality of anime produced would improve and/or the willingness to explore other means of distribution such as streaming. All in all, only time will tell how this will affect things if they even affect things at all.

"A lock only keeps an honest man honest."

Especially since the mayor that spearheaded the law wrote a novel that contained material that would have fallen into the categories of this ban.

Also, I find it quite amazing that the previous lolicon ban for Tokyo, something that is highly suggestive if not illegal in other nations, in Tokyo somehow failed to pass, but this bill went through with minimal argument. How the heck does that happen? Apparently virtual child pornography isn't nearly as bad as the state of the entire anime industry as of late; at least to the DPJ.
Exactly!

Many anime companies are already boycotting TAF in protest (and people are wondering about how Comiket will fare too), hopefully they'll keep fighting this thing the entire way. Essentially, I think the money will do the talking...in that, their boycotts and lack of productions will cause a dramatic fall of revenue that would maybe make them rethink this whole thing.

And like Porsche said, it's not so much as an outright banning of all manga and anime than it is regulation. One of the sentiments I share is how fanservice laden shows have become and some actually aren't even plot driven at all. I would like it if the quality would improve because of this

What the heck?! This just reminds me about a similar problem, though it just deals with video games instead. :\

I hate to admit, but perhaps this was overdue. A lot of anime lately seems to be trying to one-up other anime shows in how extreme, or how far they can push the limits of censorship and such.

Maybe they'll start trying to come with ideas that don't involve how much sex, sex-related topics, and/or fanservice they can cram into a show. It's almost a shame though, that it doesn't also cover the (what I feel to be unfortunate) moé trend. heh

I hate to admit, but perhaps this was overdue. A lot of anime lately seems to be trying to one-up other anime shows in how extreme, or how far they can push the limits of censorship and such.

Maybe they'll start trying to come with ideas that don't involve how much sex, sex-related topics, and/or fanservice they can cram into a show. It's almost a shame though, that it doesn't also cover the (what I feel to be unfortunate) moé trend. heh

That's a good opinion, but I'd have to disagree. The anime of today is just a bit more outspoken in those fields due to the mass increase in child-like (moè) anime. The two fields have a middle ground, but it's been a large hole of mediocrity since 2008, so everyone that could not stand moè, went to the ecchi side. Those that didn't like the ecchi, moved to the moè side. So it's not a matter of increase of risqué anime, but instead a shift of attention by the fanbase. Shows such as Chobits, Beserk, and He is My Master all pushed the limits far before the late 00 era anime came into being. It's just a matter of how much an anime gets hyped. Anime such as Queens Blade may be blatant in how risqué it is, but it was designed for adults, similarly with the more recent Youngsa no Sora (which parallels similar subjects of Koi Kaze and Kimi ga Nozomu Eien). Anime such as Star Driver and Ore no Imouto were always there, and they've maintained nearly the same level of "evil" nature.

The sad part is that all of this started from Kannagi and Lucky Star.

That's a good opinion, but I'd have to disagree. The anime of today is just a bit more outspoken in those fields due to the mass increase in child-like (moè) anime. The two fields have a middle ground, but it's been a large hole of mediocrity since 2008, so everyone that could not stand moè, went to the ecchi side. Those that didn't like the ecchi, moved to the moè side. So it's not a matter of increase of risqué anime, but instead a shift of attention by the fanbase. Shows such as Chobits, Beserk, and He is My Master all pushed the limits far before the late 00 era anime came into being. It's just a matter of how much an anime gets hyped. Anime such as Queens Blade may be blatant in how risqué it is, but it was designed for adults, similarly with the more recent Youngsa no Sora (which parallels similar subjects of Koi Kaze and Kimi ga Nozomu Eien). Anime such as Star Driver and Ore no Imouto were always there, and they've maintained nearly the same level of "evil" nature.

The sad part is that all of this started from Kannagi and Lucky Star.
To be honest, I personally, am not sure when it started, but your rendition of the order of events makes sense.

As for the moè thing, it's just my personal dislike for most of it (Example: I made it to about partway through ep 2 of K-ON! first season.). I also, don't mind (too much), the ecchi in some recent shows, especially if the show has other things to make it respectable, like good: plot, concept, execution, etc. What my gripe was is how it feels (at least in my perception) like the shows are trying to one-up each other in this category. Like, who can be the raunchiest. And I know a lot of those shows start as manga, so I guess it's really the manga artists one-upping each other (again, my opinion).

Updated the thread title: The proper name for the ban is the "Tokyo Youth Ordnance".

I must say after viewing some of the anime that will be affected by the ban, that this might be a little strict. Just look at Ore no Imouto, yes it does list a minor collecting ero-games. However it does not list them as being negative and its only used in a comedic fashion. Just also look at some reality TV; in some of the shows I've seen, teenagers posses and talk about pornography and "pictures" or "videos" of other students. Yet most of these get a 15+ rating here in australia and some even a PG (previously 8+ however it now tends to circle about 11+ since there is no defined age).

I also got curious enough about the topic to watch To Love Ru. Despite the erotic nature of the show, any erotic content is usually the result of an accident in the series or carelessness of the characters. Aside from the episode with the octopus with its tentacle fetish, none of the other episodes imply rape, sexual violence etc. It is purely used for comedy (and the pleasing of otaku) however there is no direct sexual reference and the show itself is rather secluded and juvenile in appearance. Everything is displayed comically and in a very non-adult manner if you take awake any erotically implied parts.

Since these are a work of fiction and even more so animated, for someone to be influenced by this would out of the norm. It can also be said that if certain individuals don't get influenced by these anime, that some other source will.

Its not that I want to see more ero-anime and I'm not sad to see most of it go, however I am worried about the potential removal of decent anime that main contain 'illicit' themes, that only use them to emphasise something. I would be sad to see the market drop and any good and meaningful anime get canceled because of this.


EDIT: Actually, its interesting to note that anime and manga were targeted. However Sankaku Complex lists a non-anime show that was left on Tokyo Television that certain fits the boards decision more than most of the anime they banned. I'm not going to post the link since its VERY NSFW. If you want to check it out go to Sankaku Complex (http://www.sankakucomplex.com) (Warning, link NSFW) and find it yourself.

Just a note about Sankaku Complex: they generally slant the news facts. Hard facts can generally be reached on Anime News Network, or Anime News Feed.

In before "April Fools"
...

Its not that I want to see more ero-anime and I'm not sad to see most of it go, however I am worried about the potential removal of decent anime that main contain 'illicit' themes, that only use them to emphasise something. I would be sad to see the market drop and any good and meaningful anime get canceled because of this.
Yeah, that's a good point. Once the gov gets the power, there's always the danger that they'll use it too broadly.

It's already been said, but I think we'll just have to wait and see what happens. When new laws get implemented, I think it's rare that their effects will be fully predicted.

Just a note about Sankaku Complex: they generally slant the news facts. Hard facts can generally be reached on Anime News Network, or Anime News Feed.

It was just a broad example, which I did later confirm over other other sources.

Just a note about Sankaku Complex: they generally slant the news facts. Hard facts can generally be reached on Anime News Network, or Anime News Feed.


Most of the writers at Sankaku are alright. It's mostly that Artefact faggot. That stupid asshole basically sees a snippet of news somewhere, and decides to make up almost-plausible-stories based loosely on the headlines he sees elsewhere. The worst part is all the fucking stupid commenters believe everything he says, which makes it double rage-worthy.

Although I do agree it seems a little strict and the whole 'only anime+manga' thing is a little absurd; i do get the feeling people are somewhat upset because they enjoy the things that will be banned and whatnot.. :P

(will there still be tentacles?)

Sexual repression... Artistic expression... Erotic inspiration...

Guess they'll have to make real-life tentacle porn then. Oh wait, they already do. :ph34r:

Moe has really taken over more of the fandom lately. I like to view moe as a spice; a little bit goes a long way. Moe is great, just too much of it makes it not ass good.

^Best typo ever.

:)

Modern anime generally sucks anyway. It's either boring (moe) or just stupidly perverted or violent (everything else).

Ten years ago at least they knew how to make enjoyable stuff. No need for regulation back then.

The Ordnance has become effective starting today. I'm interested to see how things turn out.

I'm actually hopeing we may get more stories like we'd seen in the 90's and early 2000's because of this.