Bleachness

What's "unjustifiably glorify or exaggerate"? or "excessively disrupting of social order"?

Times have changed. The people have not. If someone wants something, there are people who will just go out and take it, even though it's plainly obvious what will happen if they get caught. Banning material that contains gritty scenes isn't going to reduce crime. It'll just make it more original.

Also, while I agree that immortalizing rape or any other heinous crimes is bad, the fact of the matter is that things like that happen. Writing a book about how to rape someone, or telling stories where the protagonist is a serial rapist is not okay. But to completely eliminate that factor from media-and not just rape, mind you, but all forms of dark and disgusting crime-I believe is foolish. As I said earlier, in the real world, bad things happen to good people. A lot. So, if an author writes in his story, the main love interest being raped by the antagonist, that book would be banned? What if, instead of writing rape for the sake of it, the author was trying to show a contrast; While the protagonist would go about the act of sex with care and love, the antagonist takes what he wants, primally getting off on a woman. While limiting-key word, LIMITING- the sale of books, movies, pictures, etc., that have crime and such just for the sake of it isn't a bad idea, the move needs to be more comprehensive-the bill needs to recognize that some cases are the aforementioned glorification, and other times the author/artist just wants to use it as a plot device. The love interest refuses to make love with their previous lovers because she was sexually abused by their parent (something the protagonist could help them through). The main character is a heroine addict because they needed to sell drugs in order to keep there family safe and off the streets, and made a mistake (again, something they can overcome to make themselves stronger).

I'm concentrating on rape, if you haven't noticed, because that's the one actual example given. The bill itself seems very vague, and could easily hurt more then help.

I also feel I need to explain myself; I come from a family of conspiracy theorists, and while I'm probably the most level headed of the four of us, I still have a bad habit of biting at 'Big Brother' (though I myself hate the term) when something like this happens. And though it has nothing to do with my own country, and I don't read anything sexually explicit anymore, I'm afraid that many manga authors and artists who would normally not worry about this might try and keep a tighter hold on their own leashes, possibly degrading their own work.

I've actually found it quite comical, the way Tite Kubo draws practically every female in Bleach, and (as an IchiRuki fan) it helps provide a nice contrast to someone whom I consider the main love interest. In another manga I read, Katekyo Hitman Reborn, one of the current antagonists ( I refuse to call her a bad guy, because I'm positive at the end of the arc she, and many of her comrades, will be allies of the main character) has an disproportionate chest that seems to grow with each chapter (really, they do. They put Inoue's to shame, and make Rangiku proud). I honestly believe that both Kubo-sensei and Amano-sensei (whom I'm fairly positive is another woman, which is strange considering the many things she puts her female characters through) do this not for fanservice, but comic relief. When Ichigo is depressed because his hollow is going out of control or Rukia is no longer in his life, I take a (small) bit of pleasure out of seeing the motion lines around Inoue's breasts, because it's so unnatural. I would hate for this to impede that.

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I'm not just blowing hot air here-I've struggled, and am still struggling with, an addiction of the pornographic kind, costing my family hundreds of dollars in computer antispyware and memory wipes, over five major crashes. Though I'm now ashamed of the fact, I can say with all honesty I'm coming out of it (not out of the woods yet) with a respect for a woman's body. Completely removing the media where that kind of thing is exhibited is lulling future generations into a false sense of perfection. Parents talk to their teenage children about sex because they're afraid of what might happen in their child's ignorance. However, if said child has no idea what sex really entails, will they know exactly what they want? Why would parents need to explain to their children about such intimate and frankly embarrassing things if they have no fear of their children acting on their urges?

I admit, while I believe that last bit is very possible, it's a long shot. Especially considering that I'm sure there will be people who will find a way around this bill. In the 1920's, during the american great depression, and more importantly prohibition, bootleggers would bring alcohol from other countries to their wealthy customers, oftentimes distilling it themselves if they couldn't get anything from across the border. I believe the same thing will happen here. Though it will decrease, sexually explicit manga is still going to be made. It'll just be done in secret. Hentai manga will still be passed around school rooms when teachers aren't looking. The one difference being, sex ed wont concentrate so much on the disillusioning theories and other things about rape and the like, because this bill SHOULD be making sure that such material wouldn't be in their students hand. Imagine this with me for a moment; A generation of teens who are secretly enjoying such things to their hearts content, the one difference being they have no one to tell them no, that just because a girl orgasms doesn't mean she's enjoying it, or that you can kidnap someone and bring them to your safehouse, rape them, then expect them to ask for more. We really don't want a bunch of boys running around with that kind of misconception in their head...or worse, a bunch of girls.

This little triad of mine just came about from my personal feelings based on my own experiences and the experiences of people I know, and what little I know about the mind of the people that are trying to be protected by this bill. If I've misinterpreted what this bill is trying to accomplish, I apologize to debbiechan and deathlike for posting this comment that has been inferred from misinformation. If I've offended anyone with anything I've said, I'm sorry, really. These are my views, and I'm not so arrogant to think that this is what needs to happen, and if you have something to say that would prove me wrong (and it's not a rage filled rant about how naïve and stupid I am because of my age, which is 16) then please, do so. Again, I really don't want to be spreading misinformation or anything like that. (also, I'm not looking for pity, and I really don't want to hear anything about whatever I've said that has to deal with that. I've said what I have about myself because I want you to know that I'm not just repeating something I've heard on the radio or what my parents believe. I have this inherent fear of not being taken seriously.)

Thanks for the post!

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cyanglow

The thing is though, this ordinance does not effect what is already labeled as adult or hentai. That stuff will continue to be available to 18+ audiences. What's being targeted here is material that has thus far been available to general audiences, like the contents of Shounen Jump, for example.

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Do you know to what extent? Like, again, Is Kubo-sensei going to have to draw Inoue smaller, or is it just those extreme cases where an author does something that everyone thinks is wrong?

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cyanglow

Alas, no. I don't know the extent of this ordinance any more than most of us. I'm guessing that by April 1 we'll have more info and a better grip on what all is really targeted. As some have said elsewhere though: this sounds a lot like something written in the US by far-right extremists. So very odd to see it passing in Japan.

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Should read the information on him:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shintar%C5%8D_Ishihara

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cyanglow

Yeah...

Forget Phelps, Ishihara should hook up with GWB. Their mutual hatred for foreigners should cancel each other's out, and they should get along swimmingly.

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Thanks for the link.

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Ishihara said in a 2001 interview with women's magazine Shukan Josei that he believed "old women who live after they have lost their reproductive function are useless and are committing a sin," adding that he "couldn't say this as a politician." He was criticized in the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly for these comments, but responded that the criticism was driven by "tyrant" "old women."

...

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cyanglow

Holy shit. My eyes had glazed over before reaching that point, apparently.

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Probably your brain trying to spare you. Sorry, Aizome's brain, I just unraveled all that hard work. =\

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cyanglow

I and my brain forgive you.

Who is gonna forgive him though? I thought respecting one's elders was traditional and all that. JFC.

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See, that respecting part is only for the important elders - the men. Elderly women are a strain on society, since their cooters have gone all dusty.

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cyanglow

I just found the perfect guy to introduce to my grandma. BRB, buying stocks in popcorn and beer. She may be as far right as one can get, but if you diss her, she'll shove her walker right up your arse. And then she'll laugh.

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I know, right? He'd be perfect for my grandmother who drove an eighteen wheeler, had three kids, worked three part time jobs, and ran a spic and span household all her life. Or maybe my great-grandmother who used to haul 100 lb ice blocks up into the storage house of dinner carts for Union Pacific. They'd all bury this pathetic bastard in the hour they met him.

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cyanglow

Hee. I like your gran and great-gran. XD

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lovely-masoka.livejournal.com

Oh my God.....

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Its appalling, isnt it? But thats how people like him work - they spew all these radical, vitriolic statements around and when they get backlash/scrutiny/criticism they deserve, they use the victim card. "The (Wo)Man" is out to get them.

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lovely-masoka.livejournal.com

I...don't even know what to think or say about this... *appalled*

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hinodeh.livejournal.com

OH MY GOD

Why did anyone vote this guy?!

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Exactly! That's why I'm worried-I would hate it if something like this passed in the US. I don't know if it ever COULD, but if it works in Japan, that could always be the start of a precedent.

Yeah, this guy is a lot like a far-right extremist. He's got it all down; defense of military action, movement to expand territory, anti communist, slight homophobia, vehement defending of his points, lack of care for the environment...he'd fit right in at congress.

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Most people don't care about their governments. Afterall people were the ones that voted for him to be elected in the office. The bill itself still doesn't hold water.

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ashurahime.livejournal.com

Of the many terrible things Republicans will do in a few weeks, I don't think that will be one of them. That would mean they'd have to think about the condition of children, and like 9/11 first responders and the unemployed, Republicans just don't care about children. ^_^

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strawberries-85.livejournal.com

This guy...why is he allowed to hold a position of power? >_>

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Uh citizens of Japan voted for him...

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strawberries-85.livejournal.com

I hope they weren't aware of his ridiculous views before he was elected, otherwise I am disappointed in Japanese society. :(

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reynardine.livejournal.com

This guy really embodies the worst about Japanese politicians, doesn't he? And to think he's managed to stay in this office for more than 10 years, not to mention his previous position in the Diet.

He has to be crafty to have managed to maintain a political career for so long.

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He has to be crafty to have managed to maintain a political career for so long.

He's just batshit crazy... I haven't stopped loling since...

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marajade116.livejournal.com

Crafty like an asshat.

Also, your icon is PERFECT

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sleepwalkerrrr.livejournal.com

Umm can someone clarify the dumb, what does this change actually ? Some sick stuff like "the Rapeman" being banned ?

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lackasexical.livejournal.com

...I just looked that up and WHOA. O.O

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wicked-liz.livejournal.com

Sadly, it's not surprising that they're now planning on restrictions at the "source" - The art itself.

In the U.S. possession of the material referenced in this Bill is already criminalized in some States.

Many international courts already have similar bills on their tables.

We're not supposed to read what we want, draw what we want and encourage the exposing of corporate and government secrets. By painting US with the broad brush of PERVERTS and SAD PEOPLE WITH WARPED DNA they manage to win the vote of members of the public who don't necessarily care by using FEAR. The great motivator.

Protectionism doesn't actually protect anyone - take away all the porn/drugs/alcohol/cigarettes and THE KIDS WILL STILL BE AS FUCKED UP AS THEIR PREDECESSORS.

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wicked-liz.livejournal.com

Forgot to provide wiki link to back up my claims (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_status_of_cartoon_pornography_depicting_minors).

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eien-ren.livejournal.com

OMG you mean 'abnormal sex scenes are now going to be regulated! GOOD GOD NO!"

I'm not saying this guy isn't a little off the deep end but let's just step outside of our jaded 'seen it all' minds for a moment.
I was telling a friend of mine who has never heard of manga, what MOE is. " Panty shots of little girls" When I said this I actually stopped an thought that is FUCKED UP. And you know what? It IS.
Besides, this doesn't affect us perverted woman. We've always had to jump through hoops to get our fix anyway.

From: (Anonymous)

Oh God, thank you... I couldn't help but to feel a little unesy about how almost everyone here are like: "Hey, there is a lot of fucked up shit in this world, so why ban it from our media/comics/ect"?.

Expect the fact that those fucked up shit are out there in the real world doesn't justify exposing them to the general public (AKA: minors). It doesn't really matter if minors can find it elsewhere, that's their issue, and it shouldn't be treated as an exuse to turn a complete blind to those kind of stuff.

I'm not saying I necessarily suport this rule, I just don't want stuff like rape and child porn to be "normilized" or "romanticized". You want to write about those stuff? just pick a differant audience. As simple as that.

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