{"id":6660,"date":"2021-03-01T20:23:51","date_gmt":"2021-03-01T23:23:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blyme-yaoi.com\/2018\/?p=6660"},"modified":"2021-03-02T22:15:03","modified_gmt":"2021-03-03T01:15:03","slug":"censorship-in-bl-nsfw-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blyme-yaoi.com\/2018\/2021\/03\/01\/censorship-in-bl-nsfw-18\/","title":{"rendered":"CENSORSHIP IN BL (NSFW\/+18)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WARNING: This article is NSFW and has explicit sexual images. Therefore it\u2019s\u00a0not recommended for underage people.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a lot of misunderstandings related to the censorship in Boys Love comics and anime, especially of Asian origin. So, in today\u2019s Yaoipedia we will try to clear these doubts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Almost every BL comic published in Asia has restrictions regarding explicit sexual scenes. There\u2019s already recurring jokes among BL fans about the totally censored penises, nicknamed ‘lightsabers’.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This censorship depends on the way that each country deals with content that is considered pornographic or obscene. This censorship can also change if its dealing with digital or physical material. So, we will talk about each country separately because of these particularities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

JAPAN<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to the Article 175 of the Japanese Penal Code, the person who sells or distributes obscene material can be punished with a fine or prison sentence. However, the law never specified whatever is classified as \u201cobscene content\u201d and the article was inserted in the original code back in 1907 and it has been left relatively unchanged since then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, whatever is considered \u201cobscene material\u201d has been left in charge of the judge\u2019s interpretation, according to a law from the beginning of the 20th<\/sup> century. Because of this context that allows the government to intervene whenever they find convenient, the Japanese cultural industry applies something like an autocensorship so they can avoid any kind of problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
That’s right<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Since there are few precedents about what can or not be targeted by the article 175, it has become a habit to censor genitalia (and for a long time pubic hair was also censored or even removed) in any kind of scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, since there are no clear rules, this censorship is done in different ways according to the magazine or the publisher.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s the list of the ways that dicks are censored in Japanese works:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The most common way is to paint white the whole dingus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
The Crumbling Balance <\/em>(Azuma Kaya)<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
In some cases the paint is pretty much “whatever”, like above the dicks shown in Rakka<\/em> (akabeko).<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
A very reserved dick in Midnight Rain<\/em> (CTK)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Some authors create real masterpieces only to hidden the censorship away, such as in Momo to Manji<\/em> (Sakura Sawa)<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Other form of censorship is to cover the whole member, but with small dots that are actually made with screentone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Leave Your Marks on My Back<\/em> (NISHIMOTO Rou)<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A standard method of censorship is to cover the cock with white lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
A weenie being caressed in<\/strong> <\/em>A Stray Dog in the Night<\/em> (NOBARA Aiko)<\/b><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
A circle of dicks in Junai Dropout (Niumu Misaka<\/strong>)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Its funny how even the dildo is censored!! The scene is from Amattare inu mo kuwanai.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

There are cases in which the dick simply disappear and the only indication that its there it\u2019s a slightly dark shadow or a movement line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
The Loose Cat Can\u2019t Stand Curiosity (Tennohji Mio)<\/strong>
<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Other kind of censorship it\u2019s when the meat is covered by little white balls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Souai Eroki (Psyche Delico)<\/strong>
<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

And there are cases in which we ask if it can even be considered censorship, when they put small white\/black stripes above the dick and everyone involved swears no one will notice it is a penis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
A well hidden cock in Aiseyo Bakemono.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
This is a well censored dong in em Ore wa Kawaii Otouto to (Takaku Shouko)<\/strong>
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There are cases in which the censorship can be different for the same manga, depending if it\u2019s the physical or digital copy. Digital publications usually censor the character\u2019s dicks more, probably to follow the rules of the place where they are sold or to avoid the chance the material could be classified as pornographic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
The differences of censorship in MADK’s digital and physical copy.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, BL manga aren\u2019t usually classified as pornographic material or even as adult content, because of the association with shoujo manga and the long history of manga unique visual language used by women to refer to sexual content. Because of that, since it\u2019s sold as \u201cwomen\u2019s comics\u201d, even if the BL manga has a clearly erotic cover, you don\u2019t have to present any kind of document to prove that you are an adult when you go buy it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
All those flowers symbolisms…<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In the case of BL mangas that have the seinen label (\u6210\u5e74) ( which means adult, please don\u2019t think it means the same as the Seinen(\u9752\u5e74) demographic) or R-18…..still have censorship. There\u2019s nowhere to run \u00af\\_(\u30c4)_\/\u00af. However, with the increase of BL manga that use mainstream elements borrowed from hentai manga, some people argument that it is a question of \u201cwhen\u201d these manga will be target by some kind of regulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some BL authors apply their own method of autocensorship, such as using strategic angles so the penis don\u2019t show up or putting an onomatopoeia above the organs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
A Sex Sales Driver<\/em><\/strong> scene
<\/strong>
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
A character jerking off in Coyote, by Zariya Ranmaru. There’s no censorship need if she covers with an onomatopoeia<\/strong>.\ud83d\ude09<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In case of game and anime, the most common censorship is the pixel mosaic on the genital organs. In anime, there’s always the chances that the sex scenes could end up totally cut off, even if it\u2019s exhibited late at night or sold directly to DVD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
The pixelated sausage from Yarichin Bitch Club<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Some animes put a dark or black light above the character\u2019s penises, such as Junjou Romantica or Yarichin Bitch Club.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
The shiny dicks from Yarichin Bitch Club<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In some cases the scene is put together in a way that the member simply doesn\u2019t appear, as it was done in the Twittering Birds Never Fly<\/em> (Saezuru tori wa Habatakanai)<\/em> movie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
You don’t need to censor what you can’t see<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

China and Taiwan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From all the countries listed here, China is the one with the harshest laws regarding pornographic content. Pornography was officially banned in the country in 2002.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if it\u2019s not against the law, in Chinese media in general the censorship against LGBT content is common. Owners of television channels and studios forbid material that have \u201canormal relationships such as incest, homosexuals, sexual perversion, sexual harassment, sexual abuse and similar.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chinese authors are tied down by the law since any kind of BL content that is slightly explicit can be blocked or removed from internet. Famous franchises between Chinese fujoshis such as Spirit Pact<\/em> or Mo Dao Zu Shi <\/em>escape the censorship since there\u2019s almost no BL scenes (and because they are extremely profitable). A common joke between the Chinese fans is \u2018nothing bellow the neck is allowed\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
This kiss scene from the Here U Are webcomic was censored during some time on the chinese sites.
<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The correct thing would be to say that BL content in China has some periods of greater freedom and other periods of harsher censorship and vigilance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, not everything is lost, since it\u2019s possible to publish comics with erotic content in the physical format in Taiwan. Pornography and erotic material are allowed on the island – as long as its sold only to adults and in specific places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sadly we don\u2019t have any 2D dick pics of Chinese comics to show here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Korea<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Korea has a harsh past of censorship towards LGBT material and pornographic content. But how are things nowadays? According to our research, erotic comics aren\u2019t forbbidden by the law, but minor\u2019s access its strongly watched out for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sites that publish BL webcomics such as Lehzin, Toomics, BomToon, among others, require that the user inform a document number to prove they are not underage before accessing parts with erotic content available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Only people older than 18 years old can see Kang Daehyung’s dick!!<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Besides that, South Korea has a law similar to Japan regarding \u201cobscene\u201d content, with also lacks a specific definition. Because of that, authors and publishers also apply the same kind of autocensorship on their works to avoid any kind of trouble with the law. Plataforms like Lehzin were almost banned for hosting \u201cobscene\u201d images of things like genitals and sex scenes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most common censorship of Korean dicks is to cover them whole with white paint. Since a lot of webcomics are colored, the \u201clight saber\u201d effect tends to be very stronger here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Not even the balls escape in this No Holes Barred scene.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

However, there\u2019s also the censorship in which the dick pratically doesn\u2019t exists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
On this Love Shuttle<\/em> scene I dare to say that the author simply gave up because they knew the dude’s dick would be censored in the end.<\/strong>
<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

And in our side?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Even if Asia\u2019s BL fans struggle with this censorship, there’s very little to stop the same content from being sold here on Brazil or in other Western countries without censorship. Regarding censorship, we don\u2019t have the same restrictions, so it\u2019s not uncommon for BL mangas to be sold in countries like USA and France without the censorship that they have on their own country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
For example, USA’s Therapy Game<\/em> and France’s Sakurada-senpai Kaizou Keikaku<\/em> were published with NO censorship<\/strong>
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

And not only for comics. Anime and games licensed abroad can remove the censorship and be sold here with no problem. A popular case was the Sensitive Pornograph<\/em> anime, which had its censorship removed when it was sold outside Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
The Japanese and USA’s version of the BL game Hashihime of Old Book Town,<\/em> respectively<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In Brazil, there\u2019s no legal obstacle that stops the publication of uncensored BL mangas. Mangas are published here with censorship for purely pratical reasons, such as the original publisher not having the uncensored manga or not allowing any kind of changes in international versions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s the reason that NewPop Publisher will make history when they publish the On or Off<\/em> manhwa uncensored in Brazil. This wouldn\u2019t be possible in South Korea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
We will see Kang’s toy with no white cover on it!<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

However, in the digital realm it\u2019s possible that censorship continues, be it in Asia or here. English versions of Korean sites keep their censorship and sites like Tapas have strict rules regarding erotic material. Since these services have apps, they have to follow these rules so they can avoid being banned from Google Play or Apple Store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Services such as Tapytoon and Toomics do not allow +18 comics to be accessed through their app, only through the web version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, on the piracy side, a lot of scanlations end up drawing the dicks above the censorship when they translate the manga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


The results may vary, for good or for bad.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
The censored dick in Thoroughbred wa Nabikanai<\/em> above and the drawing made by the scan bellow.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

As you may see, something simple like wanting to see dicks on the sexy scenes of your favorite BL manga can be something harder than expected. It\u2019s something that deals with whatever is considered erotic or pornographic and how it\u2019s important to not attract attention of government sectors that don\u2019t understand these stories\u2019 successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to celebrate initiatives such as the Blue Lynx anime label which fought against the removal of the sex scenes in the Saezuru Tori wa Habatakanai adaptation, even if the movie would become a financial threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sex is something natural, it\u2019s part of many people\u2019s lives and we wouldn\u2019t be here without it. Sadly that is the reality that many BL authors have to go through when they portray something so mundane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SOURCES:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Organization for Transformative Works \u2013 The censorship problems faced by anime and manga fans<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kristine Michelle L. Santos (2020): The bitches of Boys Lovecomics: the pornographic response of Japan\u2019s rotten women, Porn Studies, DOI:10.1080\/23268743.2020.1726204<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Censuras de p\u00eanis de acordo com as editoras japonesas de BL.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Korean Times \u2013 Watchdog hit for excessive digital censorship<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

WARNING: This article is NSFW and has explicit sexual images. Therefore it\u2019s\u00a0not recommended for underage people. There\u2019s a lot of misunderstandings related to the censorship in Boys Love comics and anime, especially of Asian origin. So, in today\u2019s Yaoipedia we will try to clear these doubts. Almost every BL comic published in Asia has restrictions […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":6534,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[187,746,548],"class_list":["post-6660","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-yaoipedia","tag-english","tag-nsfw","tag-translation"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blyme-yaoi.com\/2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6660","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blyme-yaoi.com\/2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blyme-yaoi.com\/2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blyme-yaoi.com\/2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blyme-yaoi.com\/2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6660"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"https:\/\/blyme-yaoi.com\/2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6660\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6920,"href":"https:\/\/blyme-yaoi.com\/2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6660\/revisions\/6920"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blyme-yaoi.com\/2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6534"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blyme-yaoi.com\/2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6660"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blyme-yaoi.com\/2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6660"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blyme-yaoi.com\/2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6660"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}