Fans highlight Chinese censorship of 'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba' anime
Fans of “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” have claimed that the hit TV series has been censored in China.
The popular anime, which is based on the manga series of the same name, is currently airing its second season in the East Asian country. This season is a seven-episode arc with scenes from the 2020 anime film “Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train.”
Shonenleaks, which regularly posts anime- and manga-related content on Twitter, uploaded screenshots on May 5 to highlight the purported censorship.
The account compared images of Tengen Uzui's three wives: Suma, Hinatsuru and Makio. The general release of the anime shows the women’s cleavage, while the Chinese version covers their skin with additional clothing.
Demon Slayer S-2 Chinese Censorship😆 #Kimetsu #KNY pic.twitter.com/fBU4IJAZy9
— Shonenleaks (@shonenleaks) May 5, 2022
Other Twitter users were quick to share examples of censorship in the Chinese versions of other anime, such as the general reduction of female characters’ breast sizes.
China’s anime censorship unironically look pretty good like wtf’s with that LMAO pic.twitter.com/rK0x0g0lDo
— Alex The 🍞 (@Megalex21) May 6, 2022
Some of the show’s fans responded positively to the changes, noting that the Chinese version addresses how “overly sexualized” the women in the anime are.
good. censorship that i like is when they remove unnessecary fanservice that makes zero sense like this- like theyre legit ninjas, why would they wear such revealing clothes anyways???
— casey🥦💥 (@uwutopiia) May 6, 2022
This is why China is such a strong country, not unnecessarily sexualising women
— Zaky (@ahvsjjjtcd) May 5, 2022
so proud of the ppl here realizing it's the good thing to do since we know for a fact, women/girls are overly sexualized in animes and Japanese culture. They shouldn't even be sexualized first of all
— Xyonan (@xyonan_) May 6, 2022
Meanwhile, others were left divided, finding themselves against censorship while also agreeing with China’s intentions.
I have a love-hate relationship with china when it comes to things like this:
On the one hand, I'm against censorship.
On the other hand: I can 100% understand why they do it. They bring up some good reasons that I can't find any fault in - other than "I don't like censorship".
— Andreas K (@AndiKad85) May 6, 2022
Well doesn't really matter of what everyone thinks maybe china did this for a particular reason and some supported it.
Girls with big boobs especially in anime is normal. At first, I was uncomfortable when I first watch animes but as time goes by it doesn't really matter.
— •••••••••••••™ 🌼 (@Luna_Moonknight) May 7, 2022
“Demon Slayer” animation studio Ufotable has confirmed the show’s third season, which will cover the Swordsmith Village arc from Chapters 100-127 in the manga, although a release date has not yet been announced.
In 2015, the Chinese Ministry of Culture banned 38 Japanese anime and manga titles that it said had "scenes of violence, pornography, terrorism and crimes against public morality."
Among the titles prevented from online or print distribution in China were “Attack on Titan,” “Death Note,” “Psycho-Pass” and “Parasyte.”
Under the implemented regulations, Chinese website operators are required to secure an approval from the agency before they stream foreign media.
Featured Image via FK Studios
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