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Answerman - Why Is Incest Such A Common Topic In Anime?

I'm sorry, but are you guys actually taking this at face value? Sure, Japan may have historically had relatives marrying, as most societies did. Marriage among first cousins was still relatively common until recently, again, as it was in large numbers of countries, due to property/inheritance rights, and due to the almost negligible health risks. But the rest? Complete conjecture and/or pseudo-scientific "research". One source referenced, which is "psycho-history", so basically non-sense, and his "sources" are just a few random "observations" by others, such as an American couple, dating back to the 30's. Are we really going to sit here and act like it's a common occurrence for mothers to be having sex with their sons, like the article claims occurs?

But the implications/claims are just straight up inaccurate. Not really surprising, this site and many of its users certainly like to sensationalize certain things, criticize various aspects of Japan for not being more like the west, as if they're obligated to change themselves and ape them.

I'm all for incest. No one should be held back from prospering. Ain't none of your business what two family members decide to do cause it has no effect on you so don't force your cultures values onto other people. Both in anime, manga, etc. and real life.

@ relentlessflame - I would have an easier time buying into a cultural explanation for incest trope prevalence in anime if that same prevalence was evident in Japanese non-otaku entertainment like J-dramas, non-light novels and movies. I've invited people to disabuse me if that perception of mine is wrong and the incest trope is as prevalent in those forms as in anime, manga, etc. So far, nobody has. So for that reason, cultural reasons alone aren't real persuasive for me.

I do agree that there is a greater tolerance for sexualized content in non-porn otaku entertainment compared with its Western equivalents. However, even that becomes problematic if you try to suggest a cultural rationale for it, because my understanding is that one of the reasons why a large swathe of the general Japanese population looks down on otakus is specifically because of that.

I think a lot of Westerners loosely translate otaku to mean: geek, nerd, fanboy. That is an element, but if we really wanted to get at how much of the general Japanese population views otaku we really need to use the word "freak" - and that is not meant in any kind of friendly/joshing way. Again, that's my sense as an outsider. If someone has more accurate knowledge, let me know.

^No, non blood related siblings were common enough prior to Oreimo's disasterous ending. Even in its time, Oreimo was unusual among incest focused anime with its blood-related brother and sister, and was one of the better regarded prior to the end. The non blood related siblings in SAO (well they were cousins as you mentioned) predate Oreimo's end and I could find examples of non blood related siblings prior to it.

Certainly it was not the only one ever but in non hentai anime, series focusing on incestous relationships usually feature non blood related siblings, and I think it is almost inevitable, for TV anime at least. If it goes through to the end and they are blood related, they either have to consummate the relationship to some degree or pointedly not consummate it The former will, let's face it, gross out a number of people, and the latter will disappoint those who want to see it. Non blood related siblings give just enough pretext for it to be tolerable to a more general (though still otaku) audience. It is a thin reed that many can see through and reject but ultimately it seems to make sense for the TV producers. Now Oreimo failed so disastrously as they went with actual siblings but then proceeded to try and take both previously mentioned routes, alienating everyone.

Hentai is different of course (the audience is ok with actual siblings and and actively desires it so putting in less than blood related siblings makes little sense aside from attracting those interested but still a little put off by the idea of actual siblings), and series where the sister (or brother) is not the the main ship, one still finds actual siblings too, such as Hand Shakers or One Room recently.

The rest of the Japanese population looks down on otakus because Japan is a cookie cuter society and so obsessing over pop-culture (which is by definition what otakus are: obsessed with some pop culture element) is considered a waste of time: you should obsess over your work not over pop-culture. I would think that in most countries it's similar: people who are obsessed with pop culture are made fun of all over the world.

Tsumi Ni Nureta Futoshi (Two Soaked in Sin) is a manga that had me hooked from beginning to end. Siblings find each other and things get crazy.