Anime has a fascism problem

Summary

This video script delves into the troubling intersection of anime fandom and far-right ideologies. It explores how Japan's historical and contemporary attitudes towards immigration and nationalism resonate with neo-Nazi and fascist ideologies, and how these views can infiltrate anime communities. The script scrutinizes the appeal of Japanese culture to these extremist groups and the role of online anonymity in fostering hate speech and toxic beliefs within anime forums. It also discusses the influence of specific anime series, like 'Attack on Titan,' which, despite not being overtly political, can be interpreted in ways that align with extremist views. The video concludes with a call for accountability and advocacy within anime communities to counteract the spread of bigotry and far-right extremism.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The speaker is an avid anime fan, familiar with both contemporary and classic anime, as well as manga like Chainsaw Man, Hell's Paradise, and Kaiju No. 8.
• 🗣️ Anime discussion spaces are generally free from politics, but there are underlying social issues such as racism, homophobia, transphobia, and ableism within anime communities.
• 🤔 The speaker questions the correlation between anime fandom and the presence of problematic ideas, particularly those related to right-wing ideologies.
• 🇯🇵 Fascists and alt-right individuals are drawn to Japanese culture due to its historical and contemporary conservative and anti-immigrant stances.
• 🌐 Japan's low immigration rates and perceived low crime rates are seen as positive by some right-wing groups, who view Japan as a model for an ethno-state.
• 🔍 The late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was admired by some fascists and neo-Nazis for his nationalistic policies and historical revisionism.
• 🌐 The origins of 4chan, which is linked to 2chan, a Japanese message board, show how anime fandom can intersect with the spread of toxic beliefs.
• 🎭 Anime communities sometimes face backlash against inclusivity, such as casting decisions that do not adhere to racial stereotypes, which can be an entry point for right-wing ideologies.
• 📺 The anime series 'Attack on Titan' has been a subject of controversy, with some interpreting it as having right-wing or fascist undertones, which can be appealing to neo-Nazis.
• 🔊 The speaker calls for advocacy and awareness within anime communities to counteract the spread of far-right ideologies and to ensure inclusivity and representation.

Q & A

What is the main subject matter discussed in the video script?

The video script discusses the intersection of anime fandom and problematic ideologies, particularly the appeal of Japanese culture and anime to certain right-wing and fascist-leaning individuals.

Why does the script mention Japan's history in relation to anime?

The script mentions Japan's history, including its past with fascism and imperialism, to contextualize why certain elements of Japanese culture might appeal to individuals with right-wing ideologies.

What is the significance of 2chan and 4chan in the discussion?

2chan and 4chan are significant because they are anonymous online message boards that have become hotbeds for nationalist and hate speech, which can contribute to the spread of right-wing ideologies within anime communities.

How does the script suggest that anime communities can inadvertently support right-wing ideologies?

The script suggests that anime communities can support right-wing ideologies by providing spaces for anonymity that allow for the expression of toxic beliefs, and by not advocating for marginalized communities within these spaces.

What role does the script suggest that online platforms play in the spread of right-wing ideologies?

The script implies that online platforms, such as message boards and social media, can act as entry points for right-wing ideologies by recommending and amplifying extremist content through algorithms and user engagement.

Why does the script discuss the casting of characters in anime adaptations?

The script discusses the casting of characters to highlight how some anime fans express racist and exclusionary views, which can be an entry point for right-wing ideologies within the community.

What is the script's stance on the show 'Attack on Titan' in relation to right-wing ideologies?

The script acknowledges the complexity of 'Attack on Titan' and its potential to be interpreted in various ways, but it criticizes the show for not providing a clear moral interpretation, which can be exploited by neo-Nazis and other right-wing extremists.

How does the script connect the lack of diversity in Japan to the appeal of Japanese culture for right-wing individuals?

The script connects the lack of diversity in Japan to the appeal of Japanese culture for right-wing individuals by suggesting that the perceived homogeneity and strict immigration policies align with their ethno-nationalist ideals.

What is the 'alt-right pipeline' mentioned in the script, and how does it relate to anime?

The 'alt-right pipeline' refers to the path that leads individuals towards right-wing and conservative ideologies, often starting with milder conservative content and escalating to more extreme beliefs. In the context of anime, it relates to how certain anime communities can serve as entry points for this pipeline.

What responsibility does the script suggest anime community members have in addressing right-wing ideologies?

The script suggests that anime community members have a responsibility to engage with and advocate for marginalized communities, and to hold the community accountable to prevent the spread of right-wing and neo-Nazi activity.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Anime Fandom and Social Issues

The speaker expresses their familiarity with anime, having watched a variety of shows and read manga. They acknowledge the existence of social issues within anime communities, such as racism, homophobia, transphobia, and ableism. The speaker also highlights the intersection of anime fandom with online right-wing activism, noting the prevalence of problematic ideas and behaviors among some anime fans. The video aims to explore the appeal of Japanese culture and anime to certain extremist groups and how these fandoms can inadvertently accommodate right-wing activism.

05:00

🌏 The Fascination with Japan and Anime

This section delves into the historical and contemporary ties between Japan and fascism, noting Japan's past as an imperialist power with a phase of fascist governance. It discusses how modern Japan, despite being a robust society with political discourse, still harbors conservative and anti-immigrant sentiments. The speaker then connects this to the appeal of Japan and anime to neo-Nazis and other right-wing extremists, who may view Japan's monocultural society as an ideal. The paragraph also touches on the influence of Japanese online message boards, like 2chan, which have been linked to the spread of nationalist and hate speech, and their impact on Western platforms like 4chan.

10:02

📺 The Influence of Anime on Right-Wing Ideology

The final paragraph focuses on the specific example of the anime 'Attack on Titan' and its creator Hajime Isayama. It discusses the show's complex themes of ethnic cleansing and its use of aesthetics from historical militaries, which have been interpreted by some as right-wing commentary. The speaker critiques the show for not providing a clear moral interpretation, which they argue can lead to its misuse by neo-Nazis and other extremists. The paragraph also addresses the broader issue of anime communities' responsibility to advocate for marginalized groups and to counteract the spread of fascist ideologies within their ranks.

Keywords

💡Anime

Anime refers to a style of animation originating in Japan, characterized by colorful artwork, fantastical themes, and vibrant characters. In the video, the speaker is an anime enthusiast and uses their credibility as a fan to discuss the problematic elements within the anime community. The term is central to the video's theme as it sets the context for exploring the intersection of anime fandom and political ideologies.

💡Fascism

Fascism is a far-right political ideology characterized by dictatorial power, strong nationalism, and often, suppression of minorities. The video discusses how certain elements of anime culture and Japanese nationalism can be appealing to individuals with fascist ideologies, highlighting the need for vigilance against the spread of such ideologies within anime communities.

💡Neo-Nazi

Neo-Nazis are individuals who adhere to the ideologies of Nazism, including white supremacist beliefs and anti-Semitic views. The video script mentions that some anime fans with neo-Nazi leanings have been observed in online spaces, suggesting a correlation between certain anime fandoms and extremist ideologies.

💡Alt-Right

The alt-right is a loosely connected far-right movement that includes white supremacists, anti-globalists, and anti-immigration activists. The video script connects the alt-right with anime fandom, indicating that some individuals within the anime community may be influenced by or sympathetic to alt-right ideologies.

💡Online Spaces

Online spaces refer to virtual environments where people interact, such as forums, social media platforms, and chat rooms. The video discusses how online spaces related to anime can sometimes become breeding grounds for extremist views, highlighting the importance of monitoring and addressing such issues within these communities.

💡Ethno-Nationalism

Ethno-nationalism is a political ideology that emphasizes a shared ethnicity as the basis for national identity and often advocates for a homogeneous nation-state. The video uses Japan as an example of a country that is sometimes idealized by ethno-nationalists due to its perceived homogeneity and strict immigration policies.

💡Historical Revisionism

Historical revisionism is the act of reinterpreting or reevaluating historical events, often to serve a particular political agenda. The video mentions historical revisionism in the context of Japanese politics, suggesting that some political figures have attempted to downplay or justify Japan's past militaristic actions.

💡Anime Pipeline

The term 'anime pipeline' in the video refers to the process by which individuals are introduced to and potentially radicalized within anime communities that may harbor extremist ideologies. It suggests a pathway from casual fandom to more serious engagement with problematic beliefs.

💡Inclusivity

Inclusivity in the context of the video refers to the representation of diverse groups, including different races and ethnicities, within anime and its fandom. The video discusses how some fans react negatively to inclusivity, which can be an entry point for more toxic beliefs and behaviors.

💡Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan is a popular anime and manga series that the video uses as an example of a show that has been interpreted in various ways by its audience, including by some who may hold extremist views. The video discusses the potential for such content to be misinterpreted or co-opted by those with fascist ideologies.

💡Community Accountability

Community accountability in the video refers to the responsibility of anime community members to address and challenge extremist ideologies and behaviors within their spaces. It emphasizes the importance of fostering an inclusive and safe environment for all fans, regardless of their background.

Highlights

The speaker is an avid anime fan with extensive knowledge of both contemporary and classic anime, as well as manga.

Anime discussion spaces are generally free of politics, but social issues like racism, homophobia, transphobia, and ableism persist within anime communities.

The speaker has observed a correlation between the use of anime profile pictures and conservative or right-wing online behavior.

Japan's historical phase of fascism and its current conservative stance on immigration resonate with some right-wing ideologies.

The lack of diversity in Japan is seen by some as contributing to lower crime rates, which appeals to fascist ideologies.

Late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was admired by some fascists and neo-Nazis for his political stances.

Anime fans and alt-right extremists may share a common interest in online message boards, which can foster toxic beliefs.

2chan, a Japanese message board, and its descendant 4chan, have been linked to the spread of right-wing ideologies and hate speech.

The speaker discusses how certain anime and manga can be interpreted in ways that align with fascist ideologies, using 'Attack on Titan' as an example.

The complexity of 'Attack on Titan' and its themes of ethnic cleansing and military aesthetics have been co-opted by neo-Nazis.

The speaker argues that anime communities have a responsibility to engage with and advocate for marginalized communities to counteract fascist ideologies.

The video concludes with a call to action for viewers to support the channel and engage in discussions about the topics covered.

Transcripts

I love anime

credentials okay how about this I'm all

caught up in one piece I've done my time

this is a subject matter that I am very

familiar with I've watched the

Contemporary stuff I watch some of the

classics I read the mangas like chainsaw

man hell's paradise and Kaiju number

eight so believe me I'm not some jackass

trying to attack a form of media that I

have no interest in you know those kids

in the hall who scream animate stuff I'm

just like them not really but I read the

anime discussion boards I read the

Twitter takes I watch the anime tick

tocks by the way you should follow me on

Tech talk and YouTube too if you haven't

done so already okay thank you what I'm

saying is that I'm no stranger to online

anime discussion spaces and these

discussion spaces are generally politic

free but that's not to say that there

are no social issues within anime

communities if you watch my videos you

know I'm big on unraveling intersections

of well everything there are a lot of

POC queer trans and disabled anime fans

turns out there's a lot of racism

homophobia transphobia and ableism

Within These communities and this is not

unique to anime we all know the shitty

you wouldn't last five seconds in a Call

of Duty Lobby meme we have all heard

some [ __ ] complaining about wokeness

in Marvel movies but I am a little

curious about a few problematic ideas

that I see widely represented by anime

fans what am I getting at good God the

most horrifying and toxic arguments I

have ever gotten in online were with

anime girl profile pictures annoying

anime profile pic conservatives have the

most obnoxious [ __ ] posting bad faith

attitudes that I've ever engaged with

these conversations can Will me into

sticking my arm into a blender just to

experience the sweet relief of focusing

on physical pain instead of mental Agony

and whenever I spot mask off neo-nazis

fascism advocacy General right-wing

toxicity seven times out of ten is one

of the these profiles before anyone says

that yes yes I know that many many left

leaning great wonderful people use anime

profile pictures we love you keep up the

positive behavior but wife ashes them

why anime why do these seemingly

unrelated things have such a potent

intersection well they might be more

related than you think in this video I

will explain the appeal to Japanese

cultural fandom and Anime fandom for the

average fascism fan Neo-Nazi Etc and how

these fandoms are accommodating for

online right-wing activism just so we're

clear half the time I use the word

fascist in this video it's a blanket

term for Nazi [ __ ] okay great wonderful

to understand why fascists and all

writers love anime we need to understand

why fascists and ALT writers love Japan

first off I don't know if you remember

this but Japan had a bit of an angsty

fascism phase in the 20th century they

were obviously great buds with a certain

mustache man as well as the government

practice of statism a political system

in which the state has substantial

centralized control over social and

economic Affairs just one of many

flavors of fascism and listen modern

Japan is a robust place with lots of

political discourse it is home to

leftist political groups and egalitarian

pro-immigrant initiatives but anyways

I'm about to talk a bunch of [ __ ] on

Japan and they're objectively

conservative in anti-immigrant society

USA was not the only [ __ ] boy on the

Block Japan was a stinky [ __ ] on the

front of imperialism colonialism and

general atrocities has Japan made a

whole lot of historic and contemporary

effort to right these wrongs

no but after everyone said hey Japan

chilled the [ __ ] out Japan decided to

embrace egalitarianism leaving their

fascist Roots behind right no I'm going

to generalize here Japan and hates

immigrants and refugees the incredibly

low number of them that they allow into

Japan each year is no coincidence

America has many right-wing hate groups

and so does Japan with contemporary

nativism an anti-immigrant movement that

intensified through being shared in

online spaces these calls for ethnic

dominance perk the ears of some white

nationalists ethno state is a right-wing

nationalist romantic notion of a state

with a unified ethnicity and or a race

many ethno state enthusiasts fascists

cite Japan as what a contemporary ethno

State should be moreover the lack of

diversity in Japan is being credited for

lower crime rates thus Japan is a very

protective culture and policy practice

that Garners a lot of respect from

fascism enjoyers as anything

monocultural and non-diverse is a wet

dream for the average Neo-Nazi someone

who got a lot of respect from a certain

man who is loved by neo-nazis is the

late Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe

let's just say I have many political

disagreements with the man first

starters historical revisionism in

atrocity apologia not great cabinet

members closely associated with Japanese

Nazi movement yeah Abe sucked but

fascism fans and neo-nazis obviously

loved him and this is all to say that

there is a lot a lot a lot a lot to love

about this country and its culture if

you are a Neo-Nazi I think it's clear

that Japan has a fascism problem okay

that's part one now I know what you're

saying Karen you haven't talked about

anime for a couple minutes now well

guess what it is now anime time we still

need to explain why anime has a fascism

problem quick what do anime fans and

alt-right extremists have in common they

both probably fetishize Asian women and

need to take a shower yes but they are

also both in need of touching some

[ __ ] grass the point that I'm trying

to make is that generally both are

chronically online and are part of

Message Board communities good old

Message Board you can talk about your

favorite anime characters and about how

pure Bloodlines are in danger of being

compromised by foreigners and sometimes

both in the exact same website meet

hiroyuki nishimura while studying at the

University of Central Arkansas around

the year of 1999 nishimura founded a

little website called two channel or

2chan for short this website was mainly

used in Japan much like other message

boards people use two chance to talk

about media such as television music

movies anime and manga however the spin

on this website is that posts are

subject to Total anonymity the perks 2

Message Board anonymity is that opinions

won't be linked to Identity and the

poster won't be faced with IRL scrutiny

therefore the opinions are authentic but

such is the fate of every free speech

Anonymous Message Board website it soon

became a hotbed for nationalism and

inciting hate speech such as complaining

about those damn Koreans and starting

misinformation campaigns and attempts to

defame them now let's talk about the

elephant in the room two Chan that

sounds a lot like 4chan well that's

because 2chan is 4chan's predecessor the

vehicle for right-wing misinformation

hate speech and Cesspool of fascist

ideology was conceptualized from this

Japanese media internet Forum website

this is definitely worth pointing at

however I don't think that Free Speech

Forum websites are created in a vacuum

completely Reliant upon Japan I believe

that if there's an internet connection

it's gonna happen eventually but it's

very interesting that this anime ship

posting website was the brainchild for

4chan right in the relationship of anime

fans and anonymity of opinions is

extremely important none of these

cowards want to show their faces after

dropping the most unapologetically

racist replies on Earth after all but

the origins of 4chan is also interesting

because it also shows us the

relationship of anime fandoms and

expressing toxic beliefs and if these

beliefs were isolated to 4chan there

wouldn't be a problem but we all know

that they are not indoctrination isn't a

clear-cut system from peer-to-peer it's

more like a network an iceberg if you

will and it is known to us as

you know what it is now I know this is

gonna sound super familiar but for

anybody who has been living under a rock

for 30 years the alt-right pipeline is a

path to right wing and conservative

ideologies entry points for this path

are created in places where people share

their opinions YouTube videos online

gaming lobbies online forums Etc once

you start flirting with some of these

entry-level conservative ideas let's say

feminist gets owned content

recommendation algorithms start to push

you further and further down this path

and before we move on I would like to

talk about some of these entry points in

anime communities now let me set the

scene for you you are on anime Twitter

some new members of the one piece live

action casts were revealed we noticed

that the actor who plays arlong of the

arlong Pirates is a black man arlong is

a fish man and I don't know if you know

this but fishes don't assign themselves

racial identities at least as far as we

know you see a bunch of people complain

that a character who they like is being

played by a black man alright I'll be

generous maybe it's just a problem with

fish men nub also nami's sister damn now

this isn't an issue unique to anime

communities you see arguments against

inclusiveness in Marvel movie

communities in video games in pretty

much anywhere that has a fan base and I

posed the question what is the problem

with a character Being A different race

than the source material like where is

the actual problem it just makes people

uncomfortable that's it and let me make

this clear this is not about casting

decisions it's a common understanding

that as long as you aren't altering your

skin color to cosplay there are no rules

for race while dressing up like your

favorite anime characters but these

rules are IRL baby it's a different

story online there are Online Cosplay

police bullying anybody who isn't white

or Japanese who decides to dress like

their favorite characters as far as I'm

aware policing cosplay skin color or

casting decisions is the entry level for

the anime alt-right pipeline because

once you travel down this road and

follow these content creators follow

these Twitter [ __ ] posters you start

absorbing their ideas start having mixed

feelings when you see inclusiveness in

anime communities eventually start

having racist beliefs and saying racist

[ __ ] without seeing the problem start

saying transphobic and homophobic [ __ ]

until you start developing some

questionable opinions and the further

you go the more questionable your

opinions get to anybody who thinks that

Aaron Yeager is in the right and that

there are any and I quote good genocides

or justifiable genocides get some

[ __ ] help yep we are about to talk

about a show on manga that a lot of

fascists love Attack on Titan Hajime

isiyama is the creator of Attack on

Titan I haven't read the Manga but I'm

all caught up in the show it's good I

recommend it and this is going to be a

semi-spoiler-free analysis I will be

talking about the fate of a protagonist

and how they become the plot device for

the final Seasons so maybe click off if

you don't want to get spoiled isiyama

applies in apolitical interview

technique where he answers any questions

regarding politics very diplomatically

and I think that is kind of problematic

in emblematic of anime communities this

show is very complicated it deals with

topics such as ethnic cleansing and

borrows many Aesthetics from uh let's

say 20th century German and Japanese

militaries but the world that isayama

created seems to excite neo-nazis a lot

of people consider this show to be

right-wing commentary against Jewish

people in foreign powers and I'm not

gonna weigh in on whether I think the

story itself is pro-fascist but I do

want to focus on what's going on on the

Outside The Unofficial War doesn't have

heroes or villains theme in the pick

your favorite side approach that fans

are insisting the show has is massive

dog [ __ ] whether intentional or not it

is downright irresponsible for a story

with these kinds of intricacies to not

have a clear dialogue of moral

interpretation this is is how you get

[ __ ] on Message Board sharing their

Neo-Nazi opinions opinions such as

eldians are white people being tricked

by Foreign Jewish Powers into thinking

that they themselves are the enemies

whilst these foreign powers pull the

strings from the Shadows on the opposite

end of the right wing Spectrum it could

also be argued that an ethnic religious

group having the ability to change into

bloodthirsty Abominations is also not

that great and not to mention isiyama

kind of seems pro-japanese imperialism

based off of the imagery and character

designs used in the show some good and

not villainous characters are based off

of war criminals who did absolutely

terrible things isayama described

yoshifuru akiyama a war criminal who was

the inspiration behind the design of dot

Pixis as being quote respectful in

Frugal yikes an aesthetic surrounding

glorification of right-wing war

criminals is most definitely appealing

to neo-nazis kinda hard to argue against

that no no I'm not bonehead I have

comprehended the story and I'm not four

years old I understand that Aaron is the

new villain radicalized through the

trauma of being subject to ethnic

cleansing I understand that the show

pushes anti-right-wing extremism through

storytelling maybe it's not crystal

clear all the time and has been the

subject of years of debate but it's

still hard to deny I most definitely do

not think that isayama is intentionally

crafting the story and world to be

accommodating to neo-nazis but it is

accommodating to neo-nazis and as I have

stated in the video many of these

communities are accommodating to fascist

ideology and I think that is a big

problem I understand that there's only

so much one can do if a right winger is

going to love anime that's that but as I

mentioned before there is a system at

play there are beliefs that these shows

and communities can and should be free

from politics and political intersection

but no matter what no matter which

Community it doesn't matter if it's My

Little Pony Tony or Marvel movies

without advocacy for marginalized

communities Within These online spaces

there will be bigoted people attempting

to push them out if you see activism

advocacy and awareness spreading of

issues relating to marginalized

communities in your anime Community you

have a responsibility to engage with it

whether or not these issues directly

affect you what's more without

community-wide accountability I promise

you you will see far-right Neo-Nazi

activity faster than you may think and

if you think that bullying harassment

and Neo-Nazi activity within anime

communities is not a big deal or

impossible to avoid so why bother I must

ask what [ __ ] shows are you watching

do you just watch anime for the fun

colors you are fake as [ __ ] eat sand and

get sick thank you so much if you made

it this far I have been experiencing a

little bit of growth on this channel and

I'm going to just assume you came here

for my Tick Tock if you are one of the

20 people on on my channel who are

unaware of my tick tock's existence uh

check it out please if you would like to

see my content grow I ask you to like

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bye