【海外の反応】アメコミを変容させたポリコレ規制！日本のマンガが最後の砦だ！

Summary

The video script discusses the global popularity of Japanese manga, which is experiencing a significant surge in sales, particularly in North America where it is categorized as 'graphic novels.' Despite the success, there is a growing concern among manga fans about the increasing political pressure, particularly related to political correctness (referred to as 'ポリコレ' or 'policol'). The conversation includes comments from manga artist Akira Toriyama and Naoki Kobayashi, the representative of a digital manga distribution service, who express their views on the influence of political correctness on manga and the importance of maintaining the unique appeal of Japanese manga on a global scale. The script also highlights various opinions from international fans, emphasizing the desire for Japanese manga to remain authentic and not succumb to external pressures. Additionally, an article from 'Screen Rant' is summarized, which argues that while many believe Japanese manga's popularity stems from its apolitical nature, a closer look reveals that many influential manga works do contain political themes and messages, influencing current manga artists and reflecting the cultural values and beliefs of the society from which they originate.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Japanese manga is not only popular within Japan but also globally, with a significant increase in sales in North America compared to superhero comics.
• 🔍 There is a growing concern among international manga fans about potential political pressures that might affect the content and nature of manga.
• 🗣️ The concept of 'Political Correctness' (ポリコレ) is increasingly influencing various sectors, including the American comic industry, which impacts how characters are portrayed.
• 🎨 Japanese manga artists and industry professionals, such as manga artist Akamatsu Ken and Na Ninth representative Kobayashi Takuma, discuss the pressures of political correctness on manga and its overseas expansion.
• 📉 Some American comic fans are not in favor of the increasing influence of political correctness on the comic industry and are critical of it.
• 💬 There is a call from international fans to preserve the unique aspects of Japanese manga and to resist the pressures to conform to political correctness.
• 🤔 The debate over political correctness in media is not new, but it has taken a new turn with discussions about its impact on storytelling and creativity.
• 🌈 The article from 'Screen Rant' argues that even though many believe Japanese manga is apolitical, a closer look reveals that political themes are often deeply embedded in the narratives.
• 📚 Classic manga such as 'Astro Boy', 'Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind', and 'AKIRA' have all dealt with political themes, influencing current manga artists.
• 🏳️‍🌈 Japanese manga has been progressive in its representation of LGBTQ+ characters and other social issues, sometimes even surpassing Western comics in its approach.
• 🚫 Despite the political context in some manga, there is a recognition that not all works with political messages are overtly political, and the subtlety of their inclusion is important.

Q & A

How is Japanese manga categorized in America?

In America, Japanese manga is categorized under the term 'graphic novels'.

According to NPD BookScan's 2021 data, how did the sales of manga compare to superhero comics in North America?

While superhero comics from Marvel and DC increased by 2.3% compared to the previous year, manga sales saw a significant increase of 171%.

What is the term 'Political Correctness' commonly referred to as, and what does it aim to do?

'Political Correctness' is commonly referred to as 'ポリコレ' (Purikore). It is intended to be a policy or measure to avoid causing discomfort or disadvantage to specific groups in society, such as those defined by gender, ethnicity, or religion.

What is the concern among overseas manga fans regarding manga?

There is a concern among overseas manga fans that political pressure might be increasing on manga, potentially affecting its content and appeal.

What was the topic of the online talk festival 'Manga no Mirai Kaigi' held in December 2020?

The topic of the 'Manga no Mirai Kaigi' was 'Protect Manga! The Spreading Issue of Political Correctness Around the World'.

What did manga artist Akamatsu Ken say about external pressures on manga?

Akamatsu Ken mentioned that there is an external pressure to introduce political correctness into comics and films, but he emphasized that the appeal of Japanese manga, even with its brutal elements, has been welcomed worldwide.

What was the general sentiment from the international audience regarding the potential changes to Japanese manga due to political correctness?

The general sentiment from the international audience was supportive of Japanese manga maintaining its unique artistic integrity and not succumbing to pressures to change for the sake of political correctness.

What was the opinion expressed in the 'Screen Rant' article about the political nature of Japanese manga?

The 'Screen Rant' article argued that while many believe the popularity of Japanese manga is due to its apolitical nature, a closer look reveals that many manga works do contain political themes, messages, and expressions.

How did the article address the issue of LGBTQ representation in Japanese manga?

The article pointed out that Japanese manga has been progressive in its representation of LGBTQ characters, with examples such as 'Sailor Moon' featuring a lesbian couple and 'Ghost in the Shell' having a lead character who is possibly bisexual.

What was the reaction to the article's comparison between the political nature of Japanese manga and Western comics?

The reaction suggested that while some Western comics have been criticized for their political correctness, Japanese manga has been engaging with political themes in a more subtle and creative manner.

What is the general consensus among the comments regarding the inclusion of political messages in entertainment?

The consensus among the comments was that entertainment should prioritize enjoyment and that political messages should be woven naturally into the story rather than being forced or overly didactic.

What was the call to action for those who support Japanese manga remaining true to its form, as expressed in the script?

The script encouraged those who support Japanese manga to not bow to political correctness to press the 'like' button and share their thoughts in the comments, also reminding them to subscribe to the channel.