In our community we know that manga and anime (not to mention many American comics and animation) are not only not just for kids, but in some cases are specifically not for kids. But many, many people still don't realize this. They feel that anything animated is a kiddie cartoon, and all comics -- manga included -- are kiddie comics.

And when they learn what's in some of these comics, they don't see it as a growing art form. They see it as a threat to their children. So, to "protect the children," they try to stop it.

THE MANGA COMIC THAT SENT A MAN TO PRISON
A comic shop owner named Jesus Castillo, who runs a comic shop in Texas, sold a copy of the hentai comic DEMON BEAST INVASION #2 to an adult. He was then arrested for it. At his trial, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund brought in expert witnesses for the defense to testify how there are some comic books that are not for children, how manga is an artform, and how it was protected by the First Amendment. The prosecution, on the other hand, had no expert witnesses, but won the case by saying the following to the jury:

"Comic books, and I don't care what type of evidence or what type of testimony is out there, use your rationality, use your common sense. Comic books, traditionally what we think of, are for kids."

So Jesus Castillo was sentenced to six months in jail and $4,000 in fines for selling an adult manga to an adult.

HOW THIS AFFECTS YOU
This is not limited to just adult manga. Ever noticed that the Dragonball manga carries a "13 and Up" rating on it while Dragonball Z doesn't? By Viz's own admission, Dragonball Z is edited, because a retail chain received a complaint from an angry parent that the comic was too violent for children. So Viz was faced with either editing the content of the book, or having the chain stop carrying it.

Yes, they are opposite extremes, but the bottom line is the same --

Someone else out there has been offended by manga, and that has decided what is and is not appropriate to be published in your manga comic book.

And with the incredible boom of manga into mainstream stores, you can bet that another parent is going to get mad at what they see in these "kiddie comics," despite the fact that they're already being rated for different ages. And the end result will be the same -- the publishers will be faced with either editing the book, or losing their sales to that big chain.

If the attitidue that comics and animation are not just for kids is going to change, then it's going to take a lot of hard work, time and money. The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund has already spent $40,000 in legal fees trying to defend Jesus Castillo and your right as an adult to buy any manga you might be interested in. They're going to be spending at least another $15,000 appealing the conviction. And they need your help.

WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is dedicated to protecting both the creators, so their original artistic visions can be left intact, and the retailers who bring them to you. Please, take just a few minutes to check out their website. Become a subscriber, or just make a donation, even a small one. Or buy one of their premiums that help support them. You can donate your time or money at their booth at conventions, or put links to them on your website. Every few dollars makes a difference. Because tomorrow it may be your favorite manga series or anime shop that comes under fire.