So I’m sure most of you are already aware with what’s going on with internet censorship lately. Of course, for those who don’t, let me sum it up on what’s going on.
Since the start of 2025, The internet has been taking a lot of hits lately. From government censorship, to credit card company corruption, grassroots groups taking down freedom of expression, and cancellation of businesses operating in the name of safety. In other words, censorship at it again as always. So the question you probably ask is, why does this matter? What does this have to do with us otaku? Why are anime, manga, and video games involved? Well, of course this issue involves us. If there is government intervention with censorship, then that means our beloved passion is in massive danger of suffering corrupt regulations all in the name of “child safety”. Which is obviously false. If this continues, things will get hideous for us otaku. All material involving the eroge section of anime, manga, and video games will be used as a common scapegoat to censor even the least incriminating stuff. We will even get in trouble and be falsely accused of something we’re not by the justice system. As much as this sounds bad, it’s a lot worse than you think it is. So, here’s a summary of what’s been happening lately.
Our first concerns of censorship for this year started with what happened in Texas. If you don’t know what happened, recently the Texas Legislator passed a law that will aim to crack down on Ai with sexual material aimed at minors. It’s set to take effect on September 1 of this year. While the law sounds good on paper, it extends beyond reach and harms freedom of creativity. I’ve covered an article about this one earlier right here.
Texas Senate Bill 20 Puts Texan Otakus in Serious Trouble As Bill Potentially Targets Anime, Manga and Video Games for “Obscene Ways”
Shortly after that happened, then the hard-line anti pornography laws in America proposed by members of congress have caused a massive wave of anxiety among many otaku. While I myself, don’t support pornography, and I am against such material, this bill adds in the worrisome laws of controlling what’s deemed incriminating and what’s not. While this sounds like a return to decency and normalcy, this actually creates a slippery slope. Giving the government a spear horn of power to control what they like, and don’t like. Eventually spiraling into an authoritarian rule against anything the people in power consider “wrong.”
Then came along the awful payment processing controversy that’s causing a massive uproar. Lately, for a few years, credit card companies like Visa and Mastercard have been cracking down lately over payments deemed illegal for their terms. What kind? Well, akin to the others earlier mentioned, it’s over erotic material. It first started with anime and manga back in 2022. Over material involving hentai. Also known as erogeanime/erogemanga in Japanese. This continued on towards the next years and eventually was aimed at even material that didn’t feature any type of eroge whatsoever. Finally, in 2025, the unthinkable has happened. Corporations like Steam, and Itch, have started removing video games with pornography content. How did this happen? They removed them due to pressure from grassroots groups. The group then claimed credit for it, and the worst part, Steam announced a new guideline based on acceptance from credit card companies. Courtesy of this grassroots group named Collective Shout. The situation hasn’t changed at all for itch. I am 100% against this material, but banning it by pressuring credit card companies will usher in a new scary wormhole of credit card corruption. I for one, am strongly against this.
Then came along another damming blow for otakus in America. Denpasoft, the company known for releasing English translations of visual novels from Japan both adult and all ages, announced recently that it will be cease doing business in specific states due to laws about age verification for minors. A majority of these states, as you can see, are typically conservative dominant red states. Sadly, due to this, many otakus who are adamant fans of visual novels will be unable to buy anything from Denpasoft anymore. Orders are still coming as soon as possible, but July 31, no more. Meaning no more shipping, you and can’t buy a physical copy or even access Denpasoft anymore unless one uses a VPN. Even then, it’s still pointless…
Finally, the nail in the coffin. The UK’s Online Safety Act of 2023. Passed, and now fully in effect this year. Not only has this new law caused havoc for the internet in the UK, but has ultimately caused such an insane meltdown worldwide, that many are wondering here in America… When are we next? Well, the good news is, it’s a lot harder for laws like those to pass, but, still, we need to be extra careful because at any time. If these laws pass and, well… There goes the party… Obviously, this stuff is effecting anime and manga to the maxium. In fact, it got SO bad that, hilariously enough, as expected, like Rule 34, and nhentai have blocked access for UK users.
UPDATE: YouTube suffers AI regulations with age identification
So the question you’re probably asking is, what does this have to do with me? Well, I’m not a gooner or anything. I don’t look at hentai, I hate it. I only like anime and manga like Demon Slayer, Dragon Ball, One Piece, etc. Also, isn’t good if kids don’t watch this stuff online. Isn’t it to protect them? Well, the truth is, yes you are right… TO AN EXTENT… You see, the problem doesn’t boil down to the “hentai” stuff. Because, want to know this cold truth that will scare you to death?
Would you believe me if I were to tell you that your favorites suffer from this type of restriction as well? Yep… Wait what? But it’s all about action, fight scenes, superpowers, adventure and power of friendship? It’s simple, because these type of laws open up a slippery slope that opens a possible way of government control over creative content. It will be like a snowball effect. First, it will be the porn, then violence, and eventually, anything that is deemed wrong by a public that’s been brainwashed by elites. Also, please keep in mind, some of your favorite anime/manga of all time have little scenes that involve the same material these laws are against. So if you’re watching a shonen anime or reading a shonen manga with some minor added fan service, then kiss goodbye because those laws will label those illegal.
And the thing that surprises me is, some people think this is a good idea… I’m not kidding you, there are some people cheering for this, thinking things are going to get better. There are literally people in favor of having laws like these passed, thinking it’s justified. Either being from the progressive left spectrum, or the traditional right wing spectrum. In the reality, I have a message for the both of you. You are all being played and fooled by these higher ups… I will tell you why.
Imagine this? You got yourself a copy of an anime/manga like Chainsaw Man. You know that at times, the series has some weird lewd moments, but that’s not what you’re looking for. Furthermore, you’re looking for the story, themes, and characters. Well, guess what? With impending laws like those mentioned earlier before, you will get in serious trouble just simply possessing stuff like Chainsaw Man. I’m not kidding you. These type of laws go so beyond reach that soon if the future is this ever comes across America, days of simple consumption of entertainment will be heavily regulated all in the name of ignorance. The thing is, it’s not even just Chainsaw Man. Do you know how much anime, manga, and video games will be affected by such a law.
Another major concern about these type of new laws being introduced to the internet is how it will affect many otakus on the internet. Ranging from communities, business, and online consumerism involving anime, manga, and video games. Which speaking of that, as you know, that’s already happening in parts of America. Companies like Denpasoft, as earlier mentioned before, had to cease business in several states with the online verification law. News like this makes me so mad, as I had planned to buy from Denpasoft some time in the future. Now, with this, I won’t be capable of buying anything from there anymore, both physically and digitally.
Its not even just that. In some countries like The UK, aka, the epicenter of the censorship fiasco rampaging the internet, some companies are now literally requiring to show yourself to the government, either with an official I.D, or face cam, just to either on the internet to websites like Discord, X, and YouTube, and yes… Even play some freaking video games like Overwatch 2. Speaking of that, Microsoft is doing that already in the UK… Spotify is now demanding verification. If not, then your account will be disabled. Wikipedia has blacked out and is now protesting the UK’s insane law. That’s not all. It says it’s for the safety of children, but this law restricts certain speeches they will falsely label as dangerous.
How will this affect our otaku communities? Terribly. It will shatter many groups online that rely on the internet and social media for positive use. It will affect our consumerism of watching anime, reading manga, or playing video games online. If such terrible laws continue to advance and be put in place, then you can guess a free day of watching anime online and enjoying the sensational feeling of marathons. The same will happen to manga. No more hidden gem manga searches that all of us enjoy doing. Imagine having to show your government I.D online just because you want to do a 360 no scope with your friends over a Call of Duty match?
Stuff like this is what kills fun. Stuff like this is what gives the government authority to rule over our lives. This is unfair. Privacy has to be respected. There are millions in this world that rely on the internet to succeed their businesses. Communities thrive when the internet is free. By just implementing such restrictions will kill what it means to be a free nation. What you are seeing happening in the UK is a scary situation. The thing is, it’s not just the UK. Other countries like Australia, which now wants to ban minors under 16 from YouTube, is doing the same thing. Ireland wants to scan messages before your messages can be sent. Congress here in America wants to pass two dangerous laws that threaten our freedom of creativity, our privacy, and our simple use of the internet. All in the name of “the children”. Which we all know is a stupid lie by these elites to rule over us.
Before you throw accusations at me saying I am empathetic with child safety and I have no care for them. Let me repeat myself that I am 100% all for child safety. I do not advocate for such harm on children because children have the full right to be safe and protected from evil and dangerous predators that want to inflict such horrific harm. I am 100% against any type of material online that abuses real children online. I am in full support of keeping children safe from danger on the internet and making sure they are free from negative consumption that makes their lives worse and puts them in danger. I am against any type of disgusting child exploitation that runs rampant on the internet, but, have you noticed something? What I just mentioned, literally none of that is what these government officials are trying to do. All they want to do is censor what people say out loud. Don’t believe me? Hear this.
Let me tell you something? If you think banning minors from social media until the age of 16-18 is suddenly going to bring the world back to the 50s which these trad individuals are SO obsessed with, then you are fooling yourself to a great idea. We live in such a technological era that basically anything in the web is used nowadays. Too many things are technological and the web, including social media is relied on a great deal in today’s modern world. Not only that, but I see no problem one feeling entertained over what’s happening in social media. After all, isn’t that the parent’s duty and responsibility to keep their children safe and well aware of what’s out there? I didn’t need the government’s help to figure out how the internet worked you know? Same for those progressive individuals who think that by just going a full crusade against material deemed offensive will keep the world a better place is greatly deluded too. Especially coming from organizations who turn a blind eye on actual children suffering from this world. I honestly find it disgusting and pathetic how so much effort is put on a bunch of cartoons instead of well… You know…? Keeping actual children safe? Not whining over some kawaii waifu that looks young even though she’s a college aged woman? What also bothers me is how people from both sides continue to think that anime, manga, video games, and those of the otaku culture are just some degenerate world full of porn, taboo, and other erotic stuff when there are literal masterpieces out there that not only defined our industries, but entertainment in general. Yes, hentai does exist, but all entertainments, its just a section that is based on sexual desires. That’s it. Yes, there are some bad ones out there, but that doesn’t mean all of us like it. Its plain simple. Just like all other industries in the world have their pornography sections. Ours is no different. So I don’t know why so many fingers point hentai. Once again… I’ll repeat myself. This is all parental responsibility. Banning social media for minors and restricting the use of the internet by violating privacy in the name of child safety isn’t going to make the world a better freaking place. In fact, the opposite, things be even more destabilized like before. Many bills in America have attempted to pass, but, luckily, failed. Right now, we have two big bosses in congress trying to be passed into law. The law known as SCREEN Act and, kids online safety act. Both of these bills are dangerous. Technically, they are the same bad bills that the UK passed. Just the American version. It is up to us to make sure a law like those don’t pass at all.
This year, we have seen an unprecedented attack on our individual freedom on the internet. Of course, us otaku know very well that the internet is basically our primordial soup for all new ideas by us otaku. Ranging from communities like the latest discussions over the latest stuff, anime, manga, video game etc. Events like anime cons, idol festivals, buying merchandise online, and so many other things that us otaku USE the internet for. Friends, innovations, goodies, and other fun stuff are done by us through the use of the internet. Imagine a time when everything was freer. Example. say the year 2011, and you remember the good times as an otaku. If these bills pass, then those memories will disappear like the wind. Don’t let it happen…
What do we do? Simple, we fight back. Call our senators, representatives, alert anyone you know. Show staunch opposition to these laws. That’s all we can. We must keep a close eye on these bills making sure they don’t pass, and make sure our individual freedom as otakus are kept safe and sound. For now, lets continue doing our otaku stuff, but, we know very well, that we must protect we love.
Thank you for reading this article. Please share it among many who are also concerned or unaware about this issue.
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