I’m just like any other fan. I like what I like and want other people to like it, too. I want anime and manga simulcast, subbed well and available on whatever platform I feel like using. I want to make my own choices about language, price, distribution and content.
Unfortunately, right now both the Tokyo government and the makers of hardware have begin to involve themselves in the above issues – and not in a way that facilitates freedom of choice or expression. No, the powers that be in government and in e-reader platforms have decided that the absolute most important thing they have to deal with is “protecting” people from things that they themselves don’t feel are appropriate. How’s that for ‘freedom’ folks? Apple says no to LGBT works on their shiny clean iPads, and Tokyo says no to marginal manga…are you really going to say “well, you know I think it’s okay to censor somethings I don’t like” and expect to be safe yourself?
I will stand up for the the rights of people I cannot stand to read manga I find repulsive because I stand up for the rights of everyone, everywhere to read whatever they damn well please.
This week on Otaku in Review, I get up on this soapbox and have my say. I don’t agree with the episode title – I don’t believe I am going against the world. I stand with the world. And I’ll fight to the last to protect it.
I hope you’ll fight with me – don’t let Apple, Kindle, or anyone limit your freedom to chose content, don’t let Governor Ishihara limit your freedom to buy. Let’s stand up for the world, let’s stand up for freedom of the word.
Thanks to Scott and Michael for being such gracious hosts and giving me the chance to get my rant on. ^_^
Enjoy!
Well done; that was an interesting, informational, and inspiring podcast.
Thank you very much for your comments on the podcast. I shall have to link my friends to this and hopefully they can get a better grasp of what is going on. Also I did like you underlining the definite importance of what is going on and also highlighting the tremendous effort of librarians and other people to let people not live a culturally sterile life. Thank you so much.
And I cannot agree more that we need to defend all possible work out there and not just the stuff that is important to us. If we don’t it would be like a country having civil war while being invaded as well.
it’s really sad, but as the world suffers from a lighter wallet, the crazies and fundies crop up to take advantage and try ever so vigilantly to pull us back into the dark ages of law.
Draconian laws and rules should stay back in the past, where we can shake our heads and have a chuckle, saying; “How could we have been so dumb?”.
“Should” is meaningless. These laws and attitudes will always exist and it’s the job of every person to combat them in every way possible. Do not shake your head. Start writing your legislators, the companies, demand freedom, or you will not be given it.
Thank you for your take on the current situation in Japan. While listening, I was impressed with your desire to protect the rights of anyone to read anything, even the “dreck’.
In my mind I couldn’t help but imagine you as Sumiregawa Nene leading a horde of villagers with torches to Gov. Ishihara’s residence.
Got quite a chuckle from that!
Keep up the good work!
@Obake – Thanks you for the image, I’m honored. :-)
Erica, I have to say that I am so sincerely moved by your passion on this issue. I’m Australian and sometimes Japan feels just so far away that I’m completely powerless against this tide. Yuri is so important to me, it’s a part of my everyday life and really a massive part of who I am as well. The thought of Yuri being threatened fills me with anxiety and fear, somuchso, that I’ve been looking away from this issue. Quite cowardly I know but it’s so painful to even contemplate the worst case scenarios. All to say, having you in the trenches is a comfort. Still, I’m really inspired not to turn my head from this matter anymore and educate myself on what I can do to help. So cheers!