Lolicon manga feeling the heat in Japan

[Paul]

The growing infamy of and <a href="http://www.animeuknews.net/news/1398/seven-seas-kill-release-of-borderline-lolicon-manga-nymphet">controversy surrounding lolicon manga</a> in and outside of Japan has captured the attentions of the country's governments and police; especially those publications which are "misleading" based on cover art.

<a href="http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-06-12/osaka-police-sweep-70-stores-for-harmful-shojo-mags">Authorities in Osaka</a> swept through 44 shops selling allegedly "harmful" manga to under-aged customers (under 18 years old), the seized material is said to ambiguously "stimulate considerable sexual emotions in youths". Futhermore, the Kyoto goverment <a href="http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-06-09/kyoto-lists-harmful-manga">has recently selected</a> 13 lolicon manga titles as being potentially "harmful" and intend to discuss their easy availability in the context of "Health and Growth of Youths".

 

[AnimeEnchanter]

i think their right, its not right that there sellin this kind of stuff to youngsters, no wonder some are so scruwed up. even though it is only cartoon drawings, its still like pikin up a top shelf mag.

 

[Pomtry]

i think their right, its not right that there sellin this kind of stuff to youngsters, no wonder some are so scruwed up. even though it is only cartoon drawings, its still like pikin up a top shelf mag.

Well the fact is kids have other ways to get this kind of stuff meaning the internet. So even if they stop selling lolicon kids will still be able to see this stuff

 

[Jaymii]

i think their right, its not right that there sellin this kind of stuff to youngsters, no wonder some are so scruwed up. even though it is only cartoon drawings, its still like pikin up a top shelf mag.

Well the fact is kids have other ways to get this kind of stuff meaning the internet. So even if they stop selling lolicon kids will still be able to see this stuff

But what kind of kids are going to go around browsing the internet just for some Lolicon entertainment.

Got to say though it kind of is like selling XXX movie's in HMV/Virgin/Etc.

 

[Pomtry]

i think their right, its not right that there sellin this kind of stuff to youngsters, no wonder some are so scruwed up. even though it is only cartoon drawings, its still like pikin up a top shelf mag.

Well the fact is kids have other ways to get this kind of stuff meaning the internet. So even if they stop selling lolicon kids will still be able to see this stuff

But what kind of kids are going to go around browsing the internet just for some Lolicon entertainment.

Got to say though it kind of is like selling XXX movie's in HMV/Virgin/Etc.

Kids dont have to look for this kind of stuff they may just search for anime or manga and there pops up some lolicon. This stuff does actualy happen.

 

[Ramadahl]

The growing infamy of and <a href="http://www.animeuknews.net/news/1398/seven-seas-kill-release-of-borderline-lolicon-manga-nymphet">controversy surrounding lolicon manga</a> in and outside of Japan has captured the attentions of the country's governments and police; especially those publications which are "misleading" based on cover art.

Grrr... bloody stupid mess anyway, not as if Nymphet was even lolicon.

Clamping down on stores selling it to under-18s is fine, as long as they're not dumb enough to assume this will actually inhibit them getting hold of it should they so want to.

 

[Dani]

This isn't surprising, some bookstores in Japan sell hentai so commonly, it's like seeing dutch porno at a Tesco's checkout.

Good to see Japan isn't as mad and crazy as "they" say.

 

[Ramadahl]

Ok, I'm an idiot. I should have read the full story before commenting.

From the opening post I assumed that a fuss was being kicked up over titles similar to Nymphet - i.e. fairly harmless ones being blown out of proportion. Reading a little further, it seems they were actually talking about real hardcore lolicon, which is another matter entirely.

We're not talking about the stuff you can just casually come across with a random google search here.

Personally I'm against editing or banning works even if I have no interest in viewing them. Still, having material like that easily available for anyone to pick up seems potentially damaging. Ultimately I'm fine with its existence, but in cases like this lines really do need to be drawn on who should have access to it.