Yes, you read that right. Here's the deal. Christopher Handley of Iowa, USA was arrested about half a year ago for buying manga. One day, he receives 7 volumes of manga from the post office because he ordered them from Japan. The authorities follow him home because they already investigated the volumes and deemed them "obscene" and "objectionable." He is arrested, and they confiscate his whole collection: DVDs, manga volumes, VHS tapes, computers, etc. And now he faces a trial and up to 20 years in prison. All for ordering manga.
Now, it's true that sources say that some of the manga in question are yaoi. Sure, he may have had some hentai in his vast collection. But that's not the point. He was just going to read them in private in his own home. He didn't commit some heinous crime and rape someone. The issue here is about freedom. Your personal freedom.
The point is this. You decide what you want to read. Some of you (including me) will never read yaoi. Or yuri, or hentai, or gory/bloody stuff like Elfen Lied. That's our choice to make.
But what about this scenario? Your favorite series doesn't have any of that stuff usually. But just one place, in say volume 7, contains a single scene of rape to get the plot going in an interesting direction (mind you, it wasn't that graphic either). Now imagine the authorities busting into your house and arresting you because you own a manga series with that some obscene content here and there.
So how does this apply to you? Naruto has had some pretty graphic deaths before. Same goes for Bleach. You a shoujo fan? Ever read Peach Girl? Now read this news article. You can name many examples taken from your favorite series. I for one can think of scenes from Mahou Sensei Negima!, something I have personally helped scanlate for the last 2-3 years. Or even Gantz, which I know tons of you read. So who draws the line for what you read? You or them?
Now, I know what you're thinking. All your manga is downloaded, so there's no physical evidence of what you're reading. But investigators can check your hard drive or the trail you leave on the internet for what sites you visit. This may just be the beginning to something broader that could affect you in the future. Future technology could make it much harder for you to get your entertainment. Who can say? (Or the unspoken question: When/Will the companies finally crack down on fansubbing and scanlating?)
Or you're saying that you don't read any of that "hardcore" stuff? For sure you're safe... for now... With the current laws, you won't get prosecuted for reading Gantz (at least I hope so). But things can change, possibly for the worst.
So what can you do? I realize that a lot of you aren't even in the United States. But at least some scanlators are. And there are many manga fans here in the US too. I also realize that a lot of us don't have much money. (Or else why would we download illegally for free?) If you feel willing to help monetarily for this court case and future similar cases, you can do so by donating. If not, you can still spread the news to all the manga fans you know. At least I got you thinking. We fans could use better unity.
Or you can totally ignore this and feel it doesn't apply. Your choice.
For more information:
Donation Link
http://www.cbldf.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=2
Background Information
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-10-10/iowa-collector-charged-for-allegedly-obscene-manga
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-11-24/lawyer-indicates-manga-in-iowa-obscenity-case-are-yaoi
Other Editorials
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/editorial/2008-12-11/christopher-handley/jason-thompson
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/editorial/2008-12-11/christopher-handley/carl-horn
This news post does not necessarily reflect the official view of MangaUpdates. This was written by I, [sitelink=members.html?id=4395]lambchopsil[/sitelink], admin of MU. This is meant to get dead fans thinking outside of their own little worlds. There actually IS a global fan base for anime and manga.
The following is a translation of Comic Rex's official response to Kannagi's hiatus. Comic Rex is the magazine from [sitelink=publishers.html?id=82]Ichijinsha[/sitelink] that houses Kannagi. This is a followup to our [sitelink=news.html?id=435]previous news post[/sitelink].
*We are aware that we have caused the readers of Kannagi a great deal of concern through the matter of its suspension.
TAKENASHI Eri was abruptly struck down by a sudden illness shortly after the manuscript for the December issue of ComicREX was completed, and after this she was immediately hospitalized due to her critical condition; as a result, publication of Kannagi was suspended.
After this, she underwent surgery, which proved successful, and now her condition is favorable and she is moving towards a period of convalescence.
After the publication of the January edition of ComicREX, there were some reports to the effect that "Takenashi has ceased publication due to the calumnies she was subjected to", but this is not the case.
TAKENASHI Eri is currently hospitalized, but even so she has expressed a desire to move towards resuming her writing.
We hope that readers will be kind enough to wait whilst she convalesces.*
Original source: http://www.ichijinsha.co.jp/information/index.html
Translation from Sankaku Complex [color=red](WARNING: NSFW link)[/color]
Meh, late one...
bozou writes: *The January issue (on sale on December 9) of [sitelink=publishers.html?id=82]Ichijinsha[/sitelink]'s Monthly Comic Rex magazine will reportedly announce that TAKENASHI Eri's Kannagi manga has been placed on hiatus due to the creator's "poor health." The magazine's official website still lists the supernatural romantic comedy for the next issue, but a note from the editors has reportedly replaced the usual manga installment. The note promises that the magazine will provide more details if or when the manga returns.
The manga's story centers around Nagi-sama, a goddess who come to life before an art student when he carves a statue from a Kannagi tree. The anime version just premiered in Japan in October, and fervent interest among the most hardcore fans have led to high prices for even fan club cards. However, the anime has been partially overshadowed by fan controversy over a recent revelation in the manga's installment in the December issue, which was released last month.
Source: 2ch
Taken from: AnimeNewsNetwork*
The unexpected "revelation" was the possibility that Nagi-sama previously had a boyfriend and may not be a virgin
[color=red]Finals![/color]
First off, I'd like to say good luck to those of you that have finals now or very soon. And if you already took some, hope you did well~
(My first final is in 4.5 hours based on the time I am writing this news post)
Anyways, on with the poll! Interesting little poll here suggested by member juliej... Perhaps I should've saved this one for Valentine's Day, eh? But of course, we already know that most people will vote for the "maybe", but it's always interesting to see the numbers for the other choices.
(I apologize to any people that take offense to the word "otaku" for the lack of another word)
Mind sharing some stories or experiences about your dating exploits? You can do so on our forums here:
http://www.mangaupdates.com/showtopic.php?tid=9131
Previous Poll Results:
Question: How loyal are you to your favorite Mangaka(s)?
Choices:
I only read series from certain Mangaka(s) - votes: 116 (1.1%)
I have my favorites, but read others only if they are recommended - votes: 876 (8.4%)
I have some Mangaka I follow, but I'm always trying new ones - votes: 7504 (71.6%)
I don't have any favorite Mangaka(s) - votes: 1980 (18.9%)
There were 10476 total votes.
The poll ended: December 6th 2008
As expected, most people take the middle ground. I feel sorry for the few that only read series from certain mangaka. You guys gotta try new things and explore!
bozou writes: *The official website for BONES' Xam'd: Lost Memories science-fiction anime series has announced on Friday that [sitelink=publishers.html?id=94]Kadokawa Shoten[/sitelink]'s Ace Assault magazine will publish a manga version of the anime. The anime follows the journey of an ordinary high schooler who is transformed into a giant creature named Xam'd. A mysterious red-haired woman named Nakiami helps to keep Xam'd's rampaging instincts in check. Ace Assault is a quarterly spinoff from Monthly Shonen Ace magazine, and the Bounen no Xam'd - Junreisha no Compass (Xam'd: Lost Memories - Pilgrim of the Compass) manga will launch in Ace Assault's Winter issue on December 9.
Source: Saishin Anime Jōhō
Taken from: AnimeNewsNetwork*
bozou writes: *This year's 24th issue of [sitelink=publishers.html?id=75]Hakusensha[/sitelink]'s Young Animal Magazine has published a special oneshot manga based on Kill, the latest live-action film from director Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell, Patlabor, Avalon), on Friday. Newcomer HIRAYA Kenji drew the Samurai Sword manga, which is a standalone story loosely inspired by Oshii's theatrical collection of short stories about climactic final battles. After several festival showings earlier this year, the film will open in Japan on December 6.
Source: Muhyojo
Taken from: AnimeNewsNetwork*
Again, this poll is from qrf. Personally, I don't really like this question and how it's phrased, but oh well...I'm not expecting a huge turnout because of the topic. But who knows? Surprise me~
If you wanna give the specifics on the mangaka you like, you can do so on our forums:
http://www.mangaupdates.com/showtopic.php?tid=9010
Previous Poll Results
Question: Do you use any anime/manga related jargon (eg, tsundere, yandere, kawaii) in daily life?
Choices:
Yes, everyone around me use them - votes: 284 (2.7%)
Yes, but most people around me don't understand - votes: 1498 (14.1%)
Yes, but only when I discuss anime/manga with other fans - votes: 2502 (23.6%)
No, but I understand the terms when someone else says them - votes: 5124 (48.4%)
No... What do those words mean, anyways? - votes: 1180 (11.1%)
There were 10588 total votes.
The poll ended: November 29th 2008
As expected (at least for me), the "No, but I understand the terms when someone else says them" option won. For those of you who voted for the last option, perhaps you know what they mean now, eh?
To all the holiday people, happy Thanksgiving! Give thanks to all that you have, including the delicious manga series you get for free~
Seems we're getting a lot of these lately, eh? I guess we're just stepping it up in trying to keep our database as consistent as possible...
You can read the full policy in the FAQ here:
http://www.mangaupdates.com/faq.html?cid=7#item52
Basically, the year to enter is the year when the first chapter was published, whether that be in a magazine or a volume.
If it is a volume compilation of oneshots, enter the year the volume was actually published (and not the individual oneshots).
[color=red]For members that add/edit series[/color]
We made an FAQ for a reason, but since we never really mentioned stuff about it, I guess you guys didn't read the [sitelink=faq.html?cid=7]content policies[/sitelink] section. If you add/edit series, please read the FAQ.
Specifically, I will mention our policy on unscanlated doujinshi and oneshots. You can fully read about it here:
http://www.mangaupdates.com/faq.html?cid=7#item49
Please just do not add them as series. There are just too many unscanlated things to clutter our database, since anyone can make a doujinshi/oneshot. Once they become scanlated, feel free to give as much info as you can.
This does not apply to unscanlated manga series.
