The popular anime KonoSuba and Tensei Shitara Suraimu Datta Ken (among other isekai titles) have been temporarily banned from various Russian streaming platforms. For what reason? Well, because its fantastic plots would inspire Russian otakus to take their own lives in order to reincarnate in another world, much better than the one they live in (read, ours).
This is what a court in St. Petersburg determined in late April. Under the assumption that the Japanese term ‘isekai’ means ‘another world’, anime with this theme promote the belief in reincarnation. That and that after dying there is a much more interesting and exciting reality, which leads to a fuller life, away from the control of parents and today’s society.
Therefore, the decision was made citing the Russian Federal Law on Protection of Children against Harmful Information. The list of banned anime includes (apart from the titles already mentioned) Zombieland Saga, Nekopara, Princess Lover! (Which curiously, they are not isekai but fall into the category of violent and with high sexual content according to Russian parameters).
Experts invited by the St. Petersburg court stated that anime like KonoSuba cajole viewers with the promise of a much more satisfying and blissful life after death. Apart from that, it encourages the search for libertine pleasures, in which excess alcohol and promiscuous sex abound. All this in contrast to a true gray and mediocre reality, without joy or happiness.
To close the case, the court did not overlook the erotic themes that these anime include in their plot. We suppose that the judges were not very happy to see Kazuma stealing the underwear of other young adventurers using his magic, or the perverted behavior of Darkness, who has no qualms about expressing her excitement at the idea of being humiliated and subjected, already be it for Kazuma or his enemies.
This ban is temporary, and the Russian censorship agency Roskomnadzor has ensured that the chosen streaming sites comply with removing such series. This is another blow to Russian otakus. In January, the anime Tokyo Ghoul, Death Note, and Inuyashiki were banned for the explicit violence it exhibited, as well as crime and murder themes.
Social Media Author: [RonLaoHu]
