Man Arrested for Importing Manga

[Psycho Yuffie]

Christopher Handley, a man from Iowa, was arrested for importing a manga from Japan. The reasons, the authorities claimed, is because the manga contained "a few obscene images." It remains undisclosed what kind of images these were. Regardless, if Mr. Handley is convicted, it will have a ripple effect on the entire manga and anime industry in the US. You will no longer be able to buy uncut and uncensored versions of your favorite anime. Your manga will be badly edited to cover up nudity and any swearing will be removed, so everything you read sounds and looks like it was made for seven-year-olds.

Also, he would be sentenced to at least 20 years in prison. For importing manga.

(Source: Anime News Network)

[Sky Child]

So what's new?

[Protoman Blues]

Ahhhh Censorship.  Always hated it and I always will.

[Psycho Yuffie]

They haven't released why the manga was obscene. If it was, say, loli hentai, it would make sense because it's legally consider child pornography in the US.

[Acid]

The entire world is going [tornado fang]ing apeshit.

[Jericho]

What. The. [tornado fang].

America. Land of the free, home of the restricted. I feel like censorship is the devil himself at times.

The entire world is going [tornado fang]ing apeshit.

Yeah, pretty much this. I just hope there's an upswing soon, because things aren't looking so hot lately.

[Psycho Yuffie]

I was originally inclined to think that this was a case where some guy ordered a loli hentai doujinshi or something like that; however, after thinking about it, I realized this can't be the case. Simply because there's never just a "few obscene images" in a hentai doujinshi. Given this, I think that this was an ordinary manga that you could probably find in a book store.

[Sakura Leic]

Okay since when was it illegal to import manga...even if it is Hentai?

[Jericho]

Okay since when was it illegal to import manga...even if it is Hentai?

Nobo has a point about the loli manga, but everything else, hentai or otherwise shouldn't be subject to this.

[Solar]

This makes no [tornado fang]ing sense, as expected from humanity this days -__-

[Psycho Yuffie]

Okay since when was it illegal to import manga...even if it is Hentai?

Not sure, but this is the real question: how did they find out about it and why do they care?

[Sakura Leic]

Not sure, but this is the real question: how did they find out about it and why do they care?

Exactly unless it's wepons they shouldn't make a big deal about importing stuff.

[Jericho]

This makes no [tornado fang]ing sense, as expected from humanity this days -__-

"It is harmful to our children [who we don't see putting that fork in the electric socket] and as such it must be burned, for it is evil and goes against our -insert religion, belief, random stupidass creed here-."

That's the template for the rebuttal, bet on it.

[Sakura Leic]

"It is harmful to our children [who we don't see putting that fork in the electric socket] and as such it must be burned, for it is evil and goes against our -insert religion, belief, random stupidass creed here-."

That's the template for the rebuttal, bet on it.

So basiclly the kind of logic as to why Harry Potter was banned in some states?

[Sub Tank]

I guess I should cancel my order for Secret Journey.

[Jericho]

I guess I should cancel my order for Secret Journey.

I lol'd.

Also, try Chinatown in NYC. They can't tell on you if they "no speaky English good" while pedaling things to you.

[Psycho Yuffie]

So basiclly the kind of logic as to why Harry Potter was banned in some states?

"It teaches our children witchcraft! Such things are against Jesus! "

Pretty much, yes; however, this strikes way too close to home for manga fans like myself. I don't want the government digging its hands into my manga. Having 4Kids do it is bad enough...

[Solar]

So basiclly the kind of logic as to why Harry Potter was banned in some states?

To me, it sounds more like the logic some use to blame other stuff for their failure as parents.

[Jericho]

To me, it sounds more like the logic some use to blame other stuff for their failure as parents.

This was my point with the rebuttal bet. I think it's really sad the way things work for parents. *cue PB's "License to be a Father" quote, but apply it to being a parent in this situation*

[The Great Gonzo]

That "it goes against our religion" rant is proof enough that there's no real separation of church and state. They'll always whine that you're going against a religion you never subscribed to in the first place.

Back on subject...How the hell did they know that this guy was importing manga? What right did they have to arrest him for 20 GODSDAMNED YEARS for importing manga? Was the "obscenity" objective? Were the police conservatives?

I can come to only one logical conclusion (other than "Every sane manga-buyer will suffer for years on end"):

BIG BROTHER'S SECRET POLICE

[Protoman Blues]

I lol'd.

Also, try Chinatown in NYC. They can't tell on you if they "no speaky English good" while pedaling things to you.

Ahhh Chinatown.  Where loyalty is rewarded, receipts are non-existent, and games are either cheaper or awesomely overpriced! 

[Jericho]

BIG BROTHER'S SECRET POLICE

"We have been at war with Eurasia since the beginning!"

[/related but obscure 1984 reference]

[Sakura Leic]

"It teaches our children witchcraft! Such things are against Jesus! "

Pretty much, yes; however, this strikes way too close to home for manga fans like myself. I don't want the government digging its hands into my manga. Having 4Kids do it is bad enough...

I know huh I mean I live in the US too and with this happening some of my favorite mangas may be banned because of showing boobs or some stuff like that like Gimmick, PHD (though I can't find any more anyway) etc.

[Jericho]

You know something I'm beginning to notice? Animation is getting persecuted heavily lately.

[Sub Tank]

I know huh I mean I live in the US too and with this happening some of my favorite mangas may be banned because of showing boobs or some stuff like that

Those sound like my favorite mangas too.