Anime is Getting Banned in the United States Tomorrow.. i'm serious

Summary

The video discusses the passage of Texas Senate Bill 20 (SB20), effective September 1, 2025, which could broadly ban or censor anime, manga, and certain games due to vague rules on 'provocative' content or depictions resembling minors. The speaker highlights the immediate impact on JASTA, an adult anime game company banned from a Texas convention, and warns of potential censorship of mainstream series like Naruto, Dragon Ball, Family Guy, and The Simpsons. Criticizing the law's 'protecting children' rationale, the video emphasizes concerns about freedom of expression, legal challenges, and the possible spread of similar restrictions across the U.S. and beyond.

Takeaways

• 😀 Texas Senate Bill 20 (SB20) passed, which could lead to the banning of anime, manga, and certain video games due to their content potentially resembling minors or being deemed provocative.
• 😀 The bill is set to go into effect on September 1st, 2025, and has sparked concern in the anime and gaming communities about censorship and legal consequences.
• 😀 JAST, a company known for adult anime games, was banned from the San Japan anime convention due to concerns related to SB20, which the company linked to the timing of the bill's implementation.
• 😀 SB20 is described as a vague and broad law that could have sweeping consequences, potentially affecting a wide range of anime and manga series, including popular ones like 'Dragon Ball,' 'Family Guy,' and 'The Simpsons.'
• 😀 The vagueness of SB20 means that even series with minor characters that resemble children could be considered illegal under the bill, leading to arrests or bans.
• 😀 The bill was passed under the pretext of protecting children, but the speaker argues that it is based on misconceptions and that individuals who can't differentiate fiction from reality may need mental health treatment.
• 😀 The concern is that SB20 is just the beginning and that the law could spread to other states and countries if there is insufficient pushback from the public.
• 😀 Legal experts suggest that the bill may be challenged in court, as it could violate constitutional rights related to free speech and expression.
• 😀 The speaker expresses frustration with the broader trend of censorship, noting similar issues in the UK, EU, Brazil, Canada, and Australia, highlighting a global rise in restrictive laws.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the need to resist such laws and challenges the narrative of 'protecting the children,' stating that it's a pretext for limiting freedom and expression.

Q & A

What is Texas Senate Bill 20 (SB20), and why is it controversial?

Texas Senate Bill 20 (SB20) is a law that was passed on June 20, 2025, and goes into effect on September 1, 2025. It is controversial because of its vagueness, potentially criminalizing the possession or consumption of anime, manga, and video games featuring minors or provocative content. Critics argue that its broad language could lead to censorship of popular media and infringe on freedom of expression.

What are some of the shows or media that could be impacted by SB20?

SB20 could impact a wide variety of media, including popular anime series like *Naruto*, *Dragon Ball*, and *Bleach*, as well as Western shows like *Family Guy* and *The Simpsons*. The bill targets material that may involve characters who resemble minors or are involved in provocative situations.

What happened with the company JASTA at the San Japan convention?

JASTA, a company known for adult anime games, was banned from the San Japan convention in San Antonio just before SB20 went into effect. The company implied that the timing of the ban was due to the upcoming law, suggesting that convention organizers might have wanted to avoid complications arising from the bill’s enforcement.

Why is SB20 considered problematic by critics?

Critics argue that SB20 is problematic due to its vague and broad language, which could lead to overreach and unnecessary censorship. The law’s focus on content featuring minors or provocative material could result in the banning of much-loved media, potentially criminalizing fans for simply possessing or watching certain shows.

What does the speaker suggest could happen if SB20 is not challenged?

The speaker suggests that if SB20 is not challenged, it could set a dangerous precedent, potentially spreading to other states in the U.S. and even other countries. They worry that it could mark the beginning of a wider trend of censorship, especially under the justification of 'protecting children.'

What is the 'Think of the children' argument, and how does the speaker respond to it?

The 'Think of the children' argument is the reasoning often used to justify restrictive laws like SB20, claiming that they are necessary to protect minors from harmful content. The speaker responds by dismissing this rationale, stating that anime, manga, and games are not real and that people who can't separate fiction from reality may need mental health intervention.

What is the potential legal challenge to SB20?

The potential legal challenge to SB20 stems from its unconstitutional nature. The speaker refers to prior court cases where similar laws were struck down, suggesting that SB20 could face legal battles that may delay or prevent its enforcement.

How does the speaker feel about the current state of affairs in 2025?

The speaker expresses frustration and exhaustion with the state of affairs in 2025, describing a sense of constant, escalating challenges, including the passing of laws like SB20, government surveillance, and growing restrictions on personal freedoms. The tone suggests a deep concern about a pattern of increasing control and censorship.

What does the speaker mean when they mention that SB20 might start off small?

The speaker suggests that SB20 may initially start by banning smaller, less prominent pieces of content that may go unnoticed, but over time, it could escalate to banning larger, more widely consumed media if there is insufficient pushback from the public or legal challenges.

What global or domestic trends does the speaker connect SB20 to?

The speaker connects SB20 to a broader global trend of increasing censorship and surveillance, citing similar developments in the UK, EU, Brazil, Canada, and Australia. They view SB20 as part of a pattern where governments use the justification of protecting children to limit freedom of expression and personal privacy.