Reports have surfaced suggesting that Russia may soon ban the sale of anime figures, a decision fueled by concerns over the “dangerous psychological impact” of anime on children, as highlighted by right-wing media figures in the country. This move follows previous bans of popular series like Death Note and Tokyo Ghoul, not only for minors but also for adults.
Citing potential violations of child protection and obscenity laws, these measures are part of a broader initiative to regulate media content deemed harmful to minors. Laws such as Federal Law No. 436-FZ aim to shield children from alarming or inappropriate material, aligning with certain provisions in the Russian Criminal Code.
This crackdown on anime is symptomatic of a larger pattern of suppressing artistic expression and free speech in Russia. For instance, earlier this year, a 19-year-old poet faced nearly three years in a penal colony for crafting an anti-war poem. Additionally, there have been arrests following peaceful protests, such as a family detained for placing flowers at a memorial against the war in Ukraine.
Interestingly, this offensive against anime parallels certain legislative efforts in the United States. Several proposed Republican bills aim to criminalize the viewing or ownership of anime. In Texas, a proposed ban on Goblin Slayer was introduced but stalled in the House of Representatives. On a federal level, Senator Mike Lee has suggested banning anime containing sexual themes.
The momentum against anime picked up when Moms For Liberty, known for advocating the removal of LGBT+ books from schools, shifted their focus to target manga. This underscores a growing cultural battle surrounding the consumption and regulation of media content across different nations.
