My fellow otakus, I’m pretty sure you have noticed that this issue has now become a pattern. Censorship after censorship, it seems like this issue never stops. Since the start of this year, there’s been a reckless attack on freedom of speech, freedom of creativity, and freedom of the internet. The excuse? Porn… Yep… Pornography!!! Since the start of 2025, there’s been a crusade against pornographic material on the internet. The same reason is always used, “think of the children!”. It first started this year in Texas, and now, state after state, the issue gets worse. As you all know, anime and manga rely heavily on the internet for basically everything. Watching, reading, games, community, fan art, etc. In other words, aside from engaging in real life social events, depending in which state you’re living in, the internet is another important place for otakus to invest time engaging with what they love. Unfortunately…
A new bill in Michigan is being proposed. What is this bill, you ask, of? Well, this bill, is what Texas is already doing, but literally on steroids… Yes, otakus in The Great Lakes State are about to get rocked by something unexpected from an unlikely law proposed by lawmakers in Michigan… The shocking part is… Manga is, LITERALLY, mentioned in this new bill. Here’s what’s going on!
A new bill in Michigan is being proposed in the legislator. The bill, HB 4938, also known as “Anticorruption of Public Morals Act,” was introduced on September 11 and has been sent to the Judiciary Committee for review. So, what’s the goal of this bill? What does this bill aim to accomplish and who’s the mastermind behind this new proposed bill?
Representative Josh Schriver is the mastermind behind this bill. He is the one who has filed this bill and is co-sponsored by 5 Republicans. According to a recent tweet by him about this bill, he stated that this bill is made to eradicate pornography. The bill contains one of the most radical and extreme laws of internet censorship ever seen in recent memory. So, what does this bill exactly do?
First, the bill demands internet providers and other platforms adopt a round-the-clock surveillance system, meaning, you will be under surveillance 24/7 by the government all in the name of a rule that aims to eradicate pornography. Of course, that’s not all. The bill also aims to fully ban VPNs in the state of Michigan by blocking sales and use of VPNs. This law is an exact replica of the UK’s VPN ban and verification law that caused a massive stir and rocked the news a few months ago. The bill also aims to ban AI material, ASMR content that contains sensual or mature audio, pornographic manga, and representation of transgenderism in media.
Schriver’s motto for the bill is: “Don’t make it, don’t share it, don’t view it”. More shockingly, He also called for porn distributors to be added to the sex offender registry.
Like a majority of anti-pornographic agenda by political figures, he framed the bill as a necessary way to protect children and stated that obscenity laws are outdated and rarely enforced.
One of the bill’s languages defines “prohibited material” in broad terms. In other words, it covers deceptions of sexual acts, regardless of it being either real or fictional, written or visual, and includes specific bans on “moaning or sensual voice content” as well as “erotic autonomous sensory meridian response content.” Yes, I’m not kidding you… Such a law is being proposed…
The bill also criminalizes any portrayal of a transgender individual. The exception is if the context is strictly medical, instructional, or academic and peer-reviewed. To put it simply, exists only for educational purposes.
When it comes to the contexts of, individuals or organizations who violate the bill, such as distributing the said material, could face up to 20 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. If over 100 instances of prohibited material are involved, then that increases to 25 years and a $125,000 fine.
If such a law like this one passes, then companies will be forced to revise their terms of service to explicitly ban the covered content and comply with real-time enforcement protocols.
Oh, and that’s not all. Check this out…
As stated before, House Bill 4938 would make it illegal to sell or use virtual private networks in the state of Michigan. The bill will also require internet providers to block any VPN activity. Fines for those violating the law related to VPN use could reach $500,000.
So basically, that’s it. In other words, this bill, proposed by Josh Schriver is another prime example of an already dead on arrival law that only exists as some pipe dream that virtually aims to eliminate individual freedom. I do not understand these individual’s OBSESSION for taking down pornography. As a devoted Christian, I understand that pornographic material is wrong and evil for faith based reasons, but, by implementing such laws, you give the government a free pass to dictate what’s considered freedom of creativity or not. Not only that, but this law is a clear violation of the constitution, whether you like it or not. The fact that VPNs also have to suffer a ban all in the name of “protecting the children” is such a vague and overused term, that by now, everybody knows the sinister reason behind such reasons for a law like this one.
Speaking of VPNs, it would be absolutely INSANE for VPNs to be banned over pornography. Unlike the UK, this type of law won’t work here in the US. If that were to happen, an overwhelming amount of Internet providers, and businesses in general would pull out of Michigan, damaging an already vulnerable economy hailing from the rust belt region. Not only that, but the fines are just ridiculous. Years in prison and fines over the use of VPN is downright authoritarian levels seen only in nations with dictatorship.
Finally, now the important part is, manga. Yes, manga was mentioned, and as you can see, they are aiming for “ZE HENTAI” again. It seems like hentai manga has suddenly become a hot topic for the year 2025. Which I find it hilarious, as if they suddenly discovered hentai manga this year when it’s been around like literally forever. Yes, hentai manga is hentai, and I get it, but, you don’t need to read it. It’s for adults only, and it’s not meant for children. It’s just basic parental responsibilities to communicate with your child, educate and protect them from such material. At the end of the day, hentai, like real life pornography, is just some erotic adult pornographic section of manga that solely exists to induce self pleasure material that people use to satisfy themselves. That’s it. Unfortunately, the reason why this interpretation still lingers on, is because there are some individuals who still view animated drawings as entertainment for children. Especially from those who uphold traditional values and norms in their livelyhood.
Also, another reason why this bill doesn’t make sense is the fact that, like the one in Texas, this law will also target non-erotic manga that contains some portion of fan service in their series. Like Dragon Ball and My Hero Academia as examples. Again, like most laws, they use will interpretation and basically outlaw anything deemed sexual or erotic. Just like what the law is originally intended to do. Worst part is, you will be added to the sex offender registration list. Just for distributing such material, and viewing it as well. Meaning, anime on home media like To Love Ru or Yosuga no Sora would enter the fray without question. Visusal novels, which have been taking some real hits lately due to censorship, will become another victim of this law. Another issue, not only that, but, kiss goodbye to figures, cosplay, and posters that have obscene content deemed illegal by this proposed bill. So, meaning, what happens next? Well, to sum it up, 90% of all anime and manga would get banned. Let’s be honest here, erotic material takes a huge role in manga, and always had since the beginning of it’s history. Due to cultural differences, I don’t think many understand how manga narrates their sexuality as opposed to western narratives of sexuality.
Also, I’m shocked to see how this bill, despite claiming to “protect children”, makes no distinction between adults and minors. So in other words, this bill applies to everyone. Despite the fact that pornography exists as material for adults, this bill will basically criminalize everyone regardless of age. Meaning, the government will have unprecedented authority over people’s viewing habits, artistic expression, and the content people are allowed to publish or access online. So, to sum it up, it’s 1984 in real life. It’s not you who controls what you do with your activity, it’s the government. Meaning, you will live in a dystopian internet surveillance system where the government monitors you 24/7 making sure you aren’t watching some beautiful looking female model doing the thingy-stuff with a bunch of guys online.
I know what you’re probably thinking? Wait, Kurai, do you have to be so dramatic and give coverage to bills that will die in an instant? Well, the truth is, yeah, It’s ultimately unlikely that this bill will even make it to the first hurdle. The issue is, we need to make sure that we remain alerted over such bills. Remember, if we don’t spread the word that we have high ranked officials in our country who want to restrict or control the internet, then eventually, it’ll sneak into our country’s laws and eventually destroy our individual freedom. Laws like these being proposed is what starts grassroots movements, and if we aren’t careful, then it could secretly slip into passing without our knowledge. Keep in mind, Schriver’s bill is not unique. There are countless bills in this country and worldwide being proposed by both sides of the spectrum. Some have passed, and others haven’t. Not only that, but if such a law like this one passes, our otaku life is going to take a massive nose dive and possibly fade into oblivion if such laws are passed. Otakus in Michigan and elsewhere in America should definitely remain wary, as bills like these could potentially reach the governor’s desk. I mean, just look at Texas as an example… No one exepcted this bill to pass, and it did… Now, it’s causing all sorts of problems for otakus in The Lone Star State…
Thank you for reading my article! What’s your opinion on this issue? Let me know in the comments!
Sources: reclaimthenet
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