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Gintama vs. the Tokyo Youth Ordinance Bill
For those who’ve seen Gintama Episode 215 (or read Chapters 310-311, Volume 36 of the manga), you may have noticed that there was a little jab at the Tokyo Youth Ordinance Bill that went into full effect on July 1, 2011. What’s interesting was the commentary said by the character Takechi Henpeita.
“We oppose the Greater Edo Youth Ordinance Bill! Before you try to regulate free speech, you should learn to regulate your own heart! Pedophilia predates manga & anime! Is it not our goal to foster a culture of acceptance?!”
Although the character in question saying all this is a pedophile himself (or feminist as Takechi calls himself), it does make you wonder how power drives people to do things that they feel are right. This also is not the first time the mangaka, Hideaki Sorachi, has made a crack at the bill. He makes another reference to the bill being passed earlier this year in Chapter 337, Volume 39 of the manga. An English translation of the dialogue in that specific chapter can be read here.
It comes to show that even if you come into power with good intentions, chances are you can be swayed into doing things that are unpopular. Even though Tokyo governor Shintaro Ishihara made the bill, the Tokyo government could’ve prevented it from happening. But, they didn’t. There’s also the non-assertiveness that the Japanese culture tends to be fond of. As noted by John of the AnimeNation blog, Japanese people traditionally don’t like to say “No”. Another issue to address is how it is supposed to be alright to have real child pornography in Japan, but not animated/drawn depictions of child pornography. (Disgusting, right?)
I also believe that Sorachi’s commentary is not just a reflection of the issue of freedom of expression in manga/anime, but what’s happening around us. We have governments trying to ban Internet usage & ban streaming video on the Internet. People of power seem to fear what they don’t understand. Or are they afraid of regular folks gaining knowledge & possibly be smarter than them? Is it a play to protect their own interests per say?
You can argue the main issue lies with those who have reached a high status and are able to dictate things however they please. However, it’s more of the work environment. If the environment is insanely corrupt, then that person will be corrupted too because they will do what it takes to stay in a high position. This is possibly why people need to “regulate their hearts”. They have to face themselves & ponder what is it they really want.
Gintama is perhaps the only Shonen Jump title that could be targeted heavily by Bill 156 because of its constant dirty humor. However, it represents something that some Japanese people do not have: courage. Think about it. The title is a play off the word “Kintama” (Japanese for “testicles”). Hell, the pronunciation even comes off as that to some people! Sorachi has the balls (no pun intended) to create a title that pokes fun at many things in Japanese culture & promotes a feeling that you don’t need government to dictate how you should live.
Let’s hope the rest of Japan follows up on Sorachi’s words towards the Tokyo government.
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TV: The Ooedo Healthy youth ordnance revision bill has been approved….
Shinpachi: Oh wow, they finally passed it, huh? I wonder if we’ll be okay…
Kagura: I have heard everyone becoming noisy over this, but I do not know it well.
Shinpachi: Well, it’s a regulation that targets anime and manga that could possibly be harmful to youth. But with its broad scope that’s open to anyone’s interpretation, people are afraid that their basic freedoms of expression will be snatched away.
Kagura: Our jokes are like that. We too will be targeted, yes?
Shinpachi: Hmm, well considering how ambiguous this law is, I think we have plenty to be afraid of. How can we be certain of what’s a bad influence on children? Moreover, what exactly IS a healthy child? I think it’s a stretch to say that a youth who thinks of erotic things every so often during a normal day is unhealthy…
Kagura: Then you think of erotic things every so often, yes?
Shinpachi: ……….
Kagura: You are disgusting! I will report you to the police!
Gintoki: Shut the hell up, both of you. Does this look like a chatroom to you? If you want to talk, go do it somewhere out of my sight.
Shinpachi: It’s not like that, Gin-san. We’re just worried. Aren’t you?
Gintoki: And why should I be scared? The only thing being regulated is ‘that’. You know, stuff with penis penetration.
Shinpachi: That happens in this manga on a regular basis!!
Gintoki: Think about it, penetrating a sliding door is okay, right? So then anything is fair game.
And do you know who we have to thank? That’s right, our fine statesmen. Anyway, quit bothering me, you two. There’s no real reason for you to keep talking about this.Kagura: If Gin-chan says so, we should be fine, yes?
Shinpachi: Yeah, I guess there’s no point in worrying about what we can’t change.
- From Gintama Chapter 337. Out of all the Shonen Jump titles, Gintama is probably the one title hugely targeted by the law. But, it’s still pretty much better than most manga out there.
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What The Tokyo Youth Ordinance Bill Teaches Us About People
(Japan’s “Angel of Death” or “Jesus Christ Superstar”?)
Time to start off the New Year with a look at a big law that was passed last month in Tokyo, Japan and the circumstances behind it. I’m talking about none other than the Tokyo Youth Ordinance Bill, also known as Bill 156. It is a law that will basically prohibit displays of “excessive sexual acts” in anime & manga & regulate the sale of such anime/manga, to help protect children under the age of 18. However, what constitutes “excessive” has not been clearly stated and this law only covers cartoons & comics, not real pornography. Bill 156 was pushed heavily by Tokyo governor, Shintaro Ishihara. The man is perhaps very well-known for his outrageous & insensitive comments on foreigners, women, & homosexuals. He has also shown complete disgust for the otaku in Japan. The law highlights what appears to be an extreme personal bias by certain people, which is being satiated by the Tokyo government, against the visual culture of Japan. Bill 156 highlights more than just hatred on anime & manga, it is also a look at what makes society tick as a whole.
