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NEWS: Rurouni Kenshin: Hokkaido Arc Manga Resumes in June

Have you ever seen a child gravure DVD? I've been unfortunate enough to have come aross websites that sold that sort of shit back in the day, and it's every bit as disturbing and upsetting as you can (hopefully) imagine

SHD wrote:

Have you ever seen a child gravure DVD? I've been unfortunate enough to have come aross websites that sold that sort of shit back in the day, and it's every bit as disturbing and upsetting as you can (hopefully) imagine

Junior Idol stuff is completely legal, even to this day. I can link you to dozens of websites which either sell the disks or just rip the videos and pictures, and nothing would happen, because its not against the law (well, besides.the rips/pirating, I mean... ) Its not some darkweb underground black market. Hell, you can find the stuff on YouTube with millions of views. People in charge know. The law don't care. Even in America.

If it was commercial, then there was consent in the making of the product.

There's nothing akin to workplace denial in any country as far as I'm aware for people suggesting that. I'd think it might actually be outright illegal in some places too?

He's been prosecuted for it, no? Then that should've been the end of the debate. There's a lot of stuff in court that never goes public, and rightfully so, given the reactions to this news in this very thread alone.

Hate the man, whatever, but there might a **** ton of info that might not ever be made public that might've got him off lighter than people would like.

SHD wrote:

Have you ever seen a child gravure DVD? I've been unfortunate enough to have come aross websites that sold that sort of shit back in the day, and it's every bit as disturbing and upsetting as you can (hopefully) imagine

Junior Idol stuff is completely legal, even to this day. I can link you to dozens of websites which either sell the disks or just rip the videos and pictures, and nothing would happen, because its not against the law (well, besides.the rips/pirating, I mean... ) Its not some darkweb underground black market. Hell, you can find the stuff on YouTube with millions of views. People in charge know. The law don't care. Even in America.

The reason it matters if it was a commercial product or not is because morality is relative, legality is not. Until the day something becomes illegal, it doesnt matter if you find it morally wrong. And vice-versa. If it was commercial, then there was consent in the making of the product. Money was exchanged. It was a transaction. It was legal at the time. If it was a home made video of him preying on kids down the road, then yeah, lock the creep up,since that was never legal. Like how theres a difference between simulated rape porn and actually filming a real rape. Big difference. Japan, thankfully, looked at the context of the crime and could realize the big difference in scenarios and deemed Watsuki was no threat to society.

Fandoms are a funny thing.

This basically comes down to "can you separate the person from their work?"

For people who make a living off of their actual appearances, like actors or spokespeople, its hard to separate the fiction from reality. So when they behave contrary to the preconceived image they have created, people generally react negatively and drastically. Because they are emotionally connected to the image, they feel a sense of betrayal. So much that is nearly impossible for the actor to continue their previous career paths.

This can also extends into the world of athletes as well, but its easier for people to separate their life from their work. How many times have people heard reports of an athletes behavior off the field, but they continue to play because of their performance on the field. Granted, its not happening as often as it used to, but it happened enough to show that people can separate the person from the work. Sure, he beat his GF up, but did you see him knock out whats-his-name in the 8th round?

Indirect creators, such as artists, mangaka, writers, programmers, etc. fall into a different area where its easier for people to separate the personal lives of the artist from their works because when people hear the name they don't imagine the artist's face, but the works they created. They are not emotionally connected to the creator, but the world that was created.

This happens more often than most realize. How many times has a series been delayed due to a mangaka being sick and instead of feeling concern for the health of the mangaka, peoples' first reaction is anger that there is a delay.

This happens across all mediums as well. Take the series A Song of Ice and Fire as an example. I know more people who are more emotionally connected to the fictional characters than the well-being of the writer. "R.R. Martin should just hurry up and finish writing Game of Thrones before he dies" is something I hear often. Concern over how he lives his life and his general health extends only to the point of him finishing his work.

With all that said, I can see them deciding to resume work on Rurouni Kenshin.

We're talking about a long running series with a sizable fan base.
Fans who are generally more connected to that fictional world than its creator.
Additionally, we're talking about Japan here.

A society that pretty much embody the phrase "Work hard, play hard"

A culture that has a long history of separating work life and home life. So much that I've seen business people who as soon as the work day ends will drink and sing late into the night. But as soon as the next work day begins they are back to the grind. As long as you do your job, and perform as you should, no one cares what you did the night before.

For those who can't separate the two, that's also valid. All it shows is that they are more emotionally attached to the crime than to the person or the work. I can sympathize with that. All I can say is boycott and hope the free market sorts it out.

He was caught. He was punished. He is now resuming work. If he continues to produce at the level he did before this incident, people will move past it. If his production drops, or if sales do not meet expectations, he will be let go.
Its a business. It always was.

At the time of the manga's hiatus, Shueisha commented that it is taking this news seriously, and that Watsuki expresses deep regret.

This ^^^^^^ As Westerners we may not agree with Japanese society and certain things that allowed there, but what Lord Oink has stated above is a fact.

You need to understand that this is Japan, and the rules are different.