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

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'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 too don't have a problem with consenting adults who choose to commit incest. Unfortunately, the reality of incest is that it's not usually two adults voluntarily consenting to sex, it's an older relative coercing a younger, often underage, relative. I'd be willing to bet the vast majority of incest is rape as opposed to, "Oh, Sis let's screw, dear." "Yes, that sounds like a lovely idea, Bro."

The issue there was that the Bible expressly forbids a man from marrying his brother's widow. It's classed as incest, but a different kind from consanguineous relationships.

5 If brothers are living together and one of them dies without a son, his widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother shall take her and marry her and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law to her. 6 The first son she bears shall carry on the name of the dead brother so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel.

7 However, if a man does not want to marry his brother’s wife, she shall go to the elders at the town gate and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to carry on his brother’s name in Israel. He will not fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law to me.” 8 Then the elders of his town shall summon him and talk to him. If he persists in saying, “I do not want to marry her,” 9 his brother’s widow shall go up to him in the presence of the elders, take off one of his sandals, spit in his face and say, “This is what is done to the man who will not build up his brother’s family line.” 10 That man’s line shall be known in Israel as The Family of the Unsandaled.

8 Then Judah said to Onan, “Sleep with your brother’s wife and fulfill your duty to her as a brother-in-law to raise up offspring for your brother.” 9 But Onan knew that the child would not be his; so whenever he slept with his brother’s wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from providing offspring for his brother. 10 What he did was wicked in the Lord’s sight; so the Lord put him to death also.

@ Vaisaga - I'm not sure what point you are trying to make. I wasn't addressing incest as a legal issue. I was pointing out that I believe the vast majority of incest is sexual assault. People can point out that there shouldn't be any stigma attached to consenting adults who engage in incest and I'm just pointing out that that is a pretty rare occurance relative (heh) to what normally constitutes incest.

Hoppy800 wrote:

Japan should seriously legalize incest between adults. Same with the US, the only real issue with incest now is if it's not between two consenting adults.

It IS. Legal. In Japan. It was even mentioned in the article.