Occasionally, Japanese animation may get rather bizarre. Anime, like any other form of entertainment, has the potential to explore bold, even unsettling subject matter, such as shocking acts of cruelty and gore,deep mental and psychological concepts, or biting social and political criticism.
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Some audiences may find that these progressive anime shows go too far, which might result in formal bans if enough people complain. As certain governments have taken a stand against what they see as offensive elements in specific anime series, broadcasting of such shows has been legally prohibited in those countries. Sometimes the government of a country would prohibit an anime because it contains material that they feel is offensive, such as violent or sexual scenes or harsh criticisms of the country’s history or political figures.
7Pokemon– Saudi Arabia
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As it has become such a global success,Pokemonhas been dubbed into a wide variety of languages for broadcast in various countries. Although several nations have blacklisted certain episodes of thePokemonanime for containing potentially offensive material,Saudi Arabia has banned the whole series.
The General Secretariat of the Council of Senior Religious Scholars drafted the regulation; they considered it illegal since the idea inPokemonwas similar to betting. The evolutionary theory is also bolstered by this. Last but not least, the Saudi authorities clearly disapproved of the emblems since they advocated Shinto, a Japanese faith, and Christendom.
6Death Note – China
The bleak themes ofDeath Notecenter on such morbid topics as killing, punishment, and justice. For this reason,it was banned in China. The story follows Light Yagami, a high school student, who acquires a mysterious notebook that grants him the power to murder anybody whose name he puts in it throughout the course of the series. There was concern that this assumption may foster vigilante justice and weaken state authority, both of which are harmful to social order and the rule of law.
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The series' generally unfavorable and demeaning depiction of police enforcement also contributed to its overall impression as a subversive piece of art. So, the Chinese government opted to limit the series in an effort to preserve social stability and boost public confidence in law enforcement.
5Psycho-Pass – China
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TheanimePsycho-pass depicts a dystopian futurewhere humanity is ruled by an all-knowing artificial intelligence system that evaluates people’s psychological state and awards them a “crime coefficient” score. The series deals with issues of government oppression, including authoritarianism, surveillance, and resistance.
It is speculated that the Chinese government banned the program because of its hypersensitivity to media portrayals that are critical of the country’s authoritarian administration. The show’s depiction of surveillance, revolt, and government persecution might be seen as a challenge to the legitimacy of the Chinese government. The program may also be seen as encouraging “deviant” conduct since it contains vivid depictions of violence and characters that engage in illegal activities. Maybe a combination of these things led to the decision to prohibit the series in China.
4Parasyte – China
Anime News Network reported in 2015 that China has outlawed at least 38 distinct anime series.Parasyteis a well-known example of this category; in it, the main character unites with an extraterrestrial parasite in order to acquire strange but ultimately beneficial abilities.
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The content of media in China is heavily regulated, and this includes movies and TV shows.Parasytewas banned from showing in China because it was judged too violent and unsettling for local viewers. The show deals with themes of physical horror and psychological trauma and has graphic depictions of violence and gore. The stated goal of China’s censorship legislation is to encourage “good” material while discouraging information that may be seen as encouraging “deviant” conduct or upsetting the social order. Thus, the bloody imagery ofParasytedid not pass muster with Chinese censors.
3Tokyo Ghoul – China
When it comes to seinen anime,Tokyo Ghoulis right up there with the greatest of them. In China, however, it was outlawed because some worried it would start a fad of teenagers permanently implanting needles and thread into their bodies.
Many instances of extreme aggression and offenses against public decency, as reported by some news organizations including the International Business Times, contributed to its eventual prohibition. To be sure,Tokyo Ghoulis not for the faint of heart, what with its torture scenes and cannibalistic overtones.
2Attack On Titan– China
Attack on Titan’sbanning in China may not come as a shock to the series' fans. InAttack on Titan, gigantic titan monsters hunt down and devour people. The entire thing is nightmare fodder thanks to all the blood and guts.
But, the restriction was based on more than just concerns about violence. The anime was banned in China due to its anti-authoritarian message.Attack on Titanhas been criticized by Chinese authorities for what it sees as a bad portrayal of China and its relationship with Japan and, presumably, Hong Kong in the show.
1Record Of Ragnarok – India
Record of Ragnarokwas prohibited in Indiabecause of how it portrayed Hindu deities, which offended and disrespected many locals. Some Hindu deities, including Shiva, Durga, and Indra, are portrayed as active participants in a conflict between the divine and the human realm.
Several Indians were outraged because they felt their culture and religion were being appropriated by the show’s representation of the gods as ferocious warriors. Others have also said that the show misrepresents Hinduism and contributes to harmful prejudices. For this reason, the Indian government has decided to outright prohibit the series to forestall any additional anger or outrage it could cause.
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