The West once again demonstrates its total
incomprehension towards otaku culture. The New Zealand government has just
dealt a major blow to one of the industry's most beloved works, after it was
confirmed that the hit romantic comedyMy Dress-Up Darling (known
in Japan as Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru) officially received an
R18 adult rating in that country. The authorities determined
that the constant fanservice and suggestive scenes related to
the making of costumes are sufficient reasons to place this harmless school
story in the same restrictive category as pornographic material or productions
with extreme violence.
As expected, this blunt decision caused a
massive headache within the English-speaking community. Thousands
of followers expressed their immense frustration on social media as Western
countries insist on treating anime as a problematic medium that needs to be
regulated or censored under their own moral standards. While
some longtime fans blamed new generations for introducing a puritanical mindset
to the fandom, others simply pointed out that nations like New
Zealand and Australia have always had an absurdly strict track record when it
comes to evaluating Asian entertainment.
Japan reacts with a mixture of surprise and
resignation
Curiously, the response from Japanese territory
was much more analytical and divided. Although several viewers lamented that
young foreigners interested in fashion design and cosplay miss
out on this animated gem, others accepted that culture shock is inevitable.
Several Japanese users pointed out that, if we analyze the work coldly, the
dialogues involving erotic games and the eventful visits to love hotels do
justify certain restrictions, recognizing that even in their native country,
themes related to doujinshi circles tend to carry an image
aimed at a mature audience.
Knowing that Western governments will continue
to evaluate these stories under their own strict moral lenses
