Damon Mcknight
Manga is a popular art form with a large fan base in Australia. However, there has been an ongoing debate in the country about whether certain manga titles should be banned due to their controversial content. In 2020, the Australian Classification Board banned several manga series, including No Game, No Life, after complaints from politicians about child pornography and exploitation. This has sparked discussions among fans and politicians about the impact of manga content on children and whether certain titles should be restricted or refused classification. While some manga titles may be banned in Australia, it is important to note that the decision-making process considers local laws and cultural contexts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ban | 2020-07-21 |
| Number of manga series banned | 7 |
| Titles banned | Eromanga Sensei, Sword Art Online, Goblin Slayer, No Game, No Life, Inside Mari, Parallel Paradise, Dragonar Academy |
| Reason for ban | Complaints from a politician about child pornography and exploitation |
| Name of politician | Connie Bonaros |
| Political party | Centre Alliance, SA-Best party |
| Petition against the ban | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Manga titles banned in Australia
Australia has a thriving community of anime fans, and there has been an ongoing debate about banning certain manga titles in the country. In 2024, the Australian store Kinokuniya removed several manga titles following a complaint about child pornography. The seven manga titles that were removed include:
- Eromanga Sensei
- Sword Art Online
- Goblin Slayer
- No Game, No Life
- Inside Mari
- Parallel Paradise
- Dragonar Academy
The first, second, and ninth volumes of the "No Game, No Life" light novel series have been refused classification by the Australian Classification Board and cannot be sold, hired, advertised, or legally imported into Australia. The Australian political party Centre Alliance applied for these novel volumes' classification, with legislator Connie Bonaros expressing concern about child pornography material.
In addition to the above titles, Japanese Hentai has also been banned in Australia, with authorities cracking down on the importation of hentai from Japan. The nation's increasingly hardline stance on sexually explicit comics has led to the blocking of adult products from entering the country.
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Manga titles under review in Australia
Manga, a beloved Japanese art form, has witnessed a phenomenal surge in popularity across Australia over the past few years. However, some manga titles have been questioned by political officials and are currently under review by Australia's Classification Board. This has sparked an ongoing debate among Australia's thriving community of anime fans.
The controversy began when Sydney's Kinokuniya bookstore received a formal complaint from legislator Connie Bonaros, who alleged that certain manga titles constituted ""child pornography material." In response, Kinokuniya removed seven manga or light novels from its shelves, including popular titles such as ""Sword Art Online" and ""Goblin Slayer."
The following manga titles are currently under review by the Australian Classification Board:
- "Eromanga Sensei"
- "Sword Art Online"
- "Goblin Slayer"
- "No Game, No Life"
- "Inside Mari"
- "Parallel Paradise"
- "Dragonar Academy"
It is important to note that the review of these titles does not necessarily mean they will be banned in Australia. Kinokuniya has stated that the decision to remove the books was not due to political pressure but rather in response to the Australian Classification Board's guidelines. The bookstore expects that some titles will be fine for unrestricted sale, while others may have restrictions or be refused classification.
The ongoing review of these manga titles has sparked mixed reactions among fans, with some expressing disappointment and frustration, while others acknowledge the potential impact of controversial content on the perception and consumption of manga in Australia.
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Manga titles banned in Australia due to child pornography accusations
In Australia, child pornography is prohibited by law, which includes all sexual depictions of minors under an age set by state and territory legislation. The relevant ages are under 16 in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia, under 17 in South Australia, and under 18 in the other jurisdictions and under federal law. The laws also cover depictions of sexual acts involving individuals over the threshold age who are simulating or otherwise alluding to being underage.
In 2020, seven manga titles were removed from the shelves of Kinokuniya in Sydney, Australia, following a complaint by South Australian legislator Connie Bonaros, who alleged that the bookstore was selling "child pornography material." The manga titles in question were not named in the complaint, but the bookstore confirmed that the following titles were removed:
- Eromanga Sensei
- Sword Art Online
- Goblin Slayer
- No Game, No Life
- Inside Mari
- Parallel Paradise
- Dragonar Academy
The first, second, and ninth volumes of the "No Game, No Life" light novel series were refused classification by the Australian Classification Board, meaning they cannot be sold, hired, advertised, or legally imported into Australia. This decision was made in response to a request from the Australian political party Centre Alliance, which cited concerns about child pornography and exploitation.
While some have criticized these decisions as an overreach or a misunderstanding of the manga medium, others argue that it is necessary to protect children and adhere to local laws and cultural norms. It is worth noting that this is not an isolated incident, and there have been previous cases of individuals in Australia being prosecuted for attempting to import or possess anime or manga materials containing pornographic depictions of minors.
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Manga titles that can still be imported to Australia
Manga titles that can be imported to Australia are typically in Japanese, with some bilingual releases. While there is no exhaustive list of manga titles that can be imported to Australia, here are some titles that have been imported and sold in the country:
- Titles from Viz Media: Distributed by Simon & Schuster in Australia.
- Titles from Japanese publishers: Imported by Kinokuniya, a bookstore that stocks Japanese imports and locally distributed books.
- Titles from various publishers: Available at Dymocks, a bookstore with online stores for manga in stock.
It is worth noting that the availability of manga titles in Australia is influenced by various factors such as shipping costs, demand, importation fees, and distribution expenses. Additionally, the proximity of Australia to Japan, the birthplace of manga, impacts the shipping costs and overall price of manga copies in the country.
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Petitions against manga bans in Australia
Several petitions have been launched against manga bans in Australia, with many people expressing their opposition to the censorship of this form of media. One petition on Change.org calls for a stop to the banning of light novels, anime, and manga in the country. The petition highlights how these forms of entertainment have helped people through difficult times and argues that instead of being banned, they should be reclassified with higher age ratings to restrict access for children. Another petition on the same platform specifically addresses the ban on lewd and sexually explicit manga, anime, and related products. The petition argues that such bans hinder artistic expression and suppress individuals' freedom of choice. It also emphasizes the importance of these forms of media in providing solace and comfort to people struggling with mental health issues.
The debate surrounding manga bans in Australia has sparked strong reactions, with some people expressing outrage and disbelief at the decisions made by the Australian government and legislators. There are concerns that the bans are motivated by political gains rather than genuine child protection, and that they reflect a lack of understanding of the entertainment value and fictional nature of manga and anime. Some commenters have pointed out the inconsistency in allowing violent books to remain accessible to all while targeting manga and anime for their explicit content.
The manga ban in Australia has also led to discussions about artistic expression and freedom of choice. Critics argue that banning manga and anime prevents Japanese and Australian artists from expressing themselves creatively. The bans are seen as a form of censorship that limits the options available to consumers. There are also concerns that the bans will set a precedent for restricting other forms of media and entertainment, leading to increased control over what people can access and enjoy.
While some people have advocated for the complete ban of anime and manga in Australia due to their explicit content, others have suggested that age restrictions and proper classification would be a more appropriate solution. They argue that making manga and anime exempt from sale or access, similar to how age restrictions are implemented for movies, shows, and other books, would protect children without infringing on the rights of adults who enjoy these forms of media.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Australia has not banned all manga. However, in 2020, the Australian Classification Board banned the first, second, and ninth volumes of the manga series 'No Game, No Life' by refusing classification on them.
The Australian Classification Board banned 'No Game, No Life' because it was accused of containing child pornography by South Australian legislator Connie Bonaros.
Other manga series that are under review by the Australian Classification Board include ''Eromanga Sensei, Sword Art Online, Goblin Slayer, Inside Mari, Parallel Paradise, and Dragonar Academy.
Yes, there has been pushback against the manga bans in Australia. Some people have argued that the bans are unnecessary and that manga is art. There is also an online petition calling for a stop to the banning of light novels, anime, and manga in Australia.
