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Answerman - Jerkwatch

818941 wrote:

fuzzytipsy wrote: I've definitely come across a number of cases where the enjoyment is just physical, and the victim does not enjoy it mentally. Titles please? I've seen this thrown so often, unjustly so, that I've become wary of it.

A couple of scenes in the Finder series, such as the first sex scene, which involves an aphrodisiac, and Attacked on a Tiger's Whim are the two titles I can come up with off the top of my head.

Also, if there is anyone that has been to a ton of conventions, I would be curious to know which ones usually have the crowd with the most respectful, interesting questions (and which ones are worse for it).

"Western countries generally respect that rape is a horrifying, potentially life-destroying trauma for the victim. Add that to American puritanical nature when it comes to anything sexual, and you basically have a culture where it's nearly impossible to have fictionalized rape at all."


Don't agree with this at all, I think rape in fiction is an issue in Western fiction too. Just read Outlander which is currently a new hit series on STARZ.

Not to knock the VA/Seiyuu panels as I am a fan but Sometimes my eyes do roll at some of the questions at these panels but then since I am too shy to even ask a question I probably have no room to judge. I mean a lot of people are just a bit star struck.

It's nice to hear what is up with Free. Was really surprised to hear Crunchyroll had home video rights to some of their streaming shows.
It would be nice if Funi and Crunchyroll worked together to release both seasons but I would agree with Justin I don't think that is happening.

Loved this weeks answerman keep up the good work Justin.

I give you credit for clearly maintaining the distinction between rape in the real world, and fictional representations of it - they are obviously not the same thing - the former is a crime that harms someone, the latter is merely fiction. However, you are taking issue with how in certain cases, it is not being depicted solely as a horrible crime, but as something that some viewers might enjoy. Many other people have also stated that they are offended by that manner of depiction, and they have every right to be offended. No one can tell people how they should feel about the fictional content they are watching. Feelings are subjective.

Here is where we come to what I see as the weak point in your argument. Obviously, even though many people may find it offensive, no real person is actually suffering in a fictional representation of rape, regardless of how it is presented to the viewer. As I mentioned above, you seem to be at a quandary here on how to reconcile your non-advocacy of censorship with content that you find to be offensive in its presentation.

The answer that you propose, that the viewers viewers should not watch this content because they will be in some way harmed if they dare to enjoy this manner of presentation is rather specious. To be fair, you do not come out and say, that if a person enjoys it, that person will turn into a rapist, instead you claim the result is a vaguer (and difficult to prove or disprove) deadening of that person's soul.

I do not know how many hundreds of extremely violent acts that I've seen in anime over the years, many which were presented in a way where the viewer was meant to identify with the person performing the violent act, or to think that the victim deserved it. Yet, after all that, not only have I never tried to imitate any of those acts, actual violence in the real world makes me cringe.

The scene in Cross Ange, was definitely meant by the creators to be shocking and controversial in the "there is no bad publicity" way, so it is not surprising that many people were offended by its content and presentation. However, as I have already stated, telling someone that they should be offended by the content of what they watch is objectively no different from telling someone that they should not be offended by it.

The idea that Japan is especially rapey compared to the US is an odd contention to make. Have you read many modern fantasy or crime novels? They are full of women getting brutally raped to show how gritty the world is, or how evil the villain is, or how heroic the hero is when he rescues the victim. A Game of Thrones is the same BS as SAO.

Literature has always been given a bye, when it comes to that. No matter the explicit detail or the ages of the subjects. Much as it seems unfair to anime, it would be worse if literature faced that same scrutiny.
Even non-anime movies can get away with more than anime. Like a certain scene in the Evil Dead series, and another one in the "Galaxy of Terror" movie.

As to the past of anime, well, Justin is right. Ninja Scroll anyone?

minamikaze wrote:

I give you credit for clearly maintaining the distinction between rape in the real world, and fictional representations of it - they are obviously not the same thing - the former is a crime that harms someone, the latter is merely fiction. However, you are taking issue with how in certain cases, it is not being depicted solely as a horrible crime, but as something that some viewers might enjoy. Many other people have also stated that they are offended by that manner of depiction, and they have every right to be offended. No one can tell people how they should feel about the fictional content they are watching. Feelings are subjective. Here is where we come to what I see as the weak point in your argument. Obviously, even though many people may find it offensive, no real person is actually suffering in a fictional representation of rape, regardless of how it is presented to the viewer. As I mentioned above, you seem to be at a quandary here on how to reconcile your non-advocacy of censorship with content that you find to be offensive in its presentation. The answer that you propose, that the viewers viewers should not watch this content because they will be in some way harmed if they dare to enjoy this manner of presentation is rather specious. To be fair, you do not come out and say, that if a person enjoys it, that person will turn into a rapist, instead you claim the result is a vaguer (and difficult to prove or disprove) deadening of that person's soul. I do not know how many hundreds of extremely violent acts that I've seen in anime over the years, many which were presented in a way where the viewer was meant to identify with the person performing the violent act, or to think that the victim deserved it. Yet, after all that, not only have I never tried to imitate any of those acts, actual violence in the real world makes me cringe. The scene in Cross Ange, was definitely meant by the creators to be shocking and controversial in the "there is no bad publicity" way, so it is not surprising that many people were offended by its content and presentation. However, as I have already stated, telling someone that they should be offended by the content of what they watch is objectively no different from telling someone that they should not be offended by it.

Beautiful post I wholeheartedly agree with!
According to Justin, you are “a good person with a decent nature” if you are either offended by fictional rape scenes or tolerate it to some level, but what about the third option: Fully enjoy such scenes which are obviously meant to titillate viewers. Like minamikaze, I don’t see why people enjoying this stuff are considered to be horrible people or have dead souls as a result. I think it’s okay for people to like depraved material since it’s just an enjoyment of a fantasy and it doesn’t deserve harsh condemnation from other folks.

TarsTarkas wrote:

Literature has always been given a bye, when it comes to that. No matter the explicit detail or the ages of the subjects. Much as it seems unfair to anime, it would be worse if literature faced that same scrutiny. Even non-anime movies can get away with more than anime. Like a certain scene in the Evil Dead series, and another one in the "Galaxy of Terror" movie. As to the past of anime, well, Justin is right. Ninja Scroll anyone?

And why is that ? Maybe it's because deep down (even if they don't want to admit it) anime fans consider anime to be made for children hence it should be sanitised. A view that has become mainstream since the MOE revolution. Can't talk about sex or sexual fantasies. It's to be made taboo. Let's be clear, not all anime is made for 6-15 year olds. I mean people rage about Madoka Magica and yet it's a series that constantly harms the main character emotionally on an episode per episode basis. A character that is a 13 year old. How is that not perverse and deserving of censoring ? And yet it's considered a great anime. Just because you see no blood or gore doesn't make it necessarily right.
I'd say if you're so concerned about edgy anime, watch Pretty Cure and stop bitching. Going back to some nice adult, edgy, violent anime with adult characters is a good thing in my opinion. Enough with moe girls doing moe things.

And why is that ? Maybe it's because deep down (even if they don't want to admit it) anime fans consider anime to be made for children hence it should be sanitised. A view that has become mainstream since the MOE revolution. Can't talk about sex or sexual fantasies. It's to be made taboo. Let's be clear, not all anime is made for 6-15 year olds. I mean people rage about Madoka Magica and yet it's a series that constantly harms the main character emotionally on an episode per episode basis. A character that is a 13 year old. How is that not perverse and deserving of censoring ? And yet it's considered a great anime. Just because you see no blood or gore doesn't make it necessarily right.
I'd say if you're so concerned about edgy anime, watch Pretty Cure and stop bitching. Going back to some nice adult, edgy, violent anime with adult characters is a good thing in my opinion. Enough with moe girls doing moe things.

@Hoppy
Playing devil's advocate here, but a lot of "non-moe" series actually break the numbers like Psycho-PASS, JoJo and Berserk. You're falling into the same trap as Taylor.

Paiprince wrote:

@Hoppy Playing devil's advocate here, but a lot of "non-moe" series actually break the numbers like Psycho-PASS, JoJo and Berserk. You're falling into the same trap as Taylor.

And that's obviously because the series you mentioned have the established fanbase by the authors who have as bigger following as Stephen King. No matter how crap it is, their new products will sell like hotcakes. No matter how it doesn't pander it will have no problem reaping the profits unlke the new series.