Ask John: How Common Are Mainstream Anime Based on Hentai?

Question:
I watched the tv show “Mezzo.” Afterwards, I found out that the tv series is based off a hentai title called “Mezzo Forte.” This leads me to ask two questions. 1) How could a pornographic movie be turned into a legitimate anime series? 2) Are there any other instances of a hentai show or movie being transformed into a legitimate, clean TV series?

Answer:
I have a feeling that I’ve answered a question similar to this before, but this is a topic that’s worth discussing anew periodically.

Before reacting with shock over the idea of a mainstream anime series having its roots in pornography, keep in mind that Japanese culture doesn’t view sexuality and pornography quite the same way that America does. It would be virtually unthinkable for an American adult film or game to be developed into a mainstream television series. And the idea of pornographic material being adapted into a “children’s cartoon” would be morally outrageous if it happened in America. But this situation occurs quite frequently in Japan’s anime industry. Japanese culture certainly doesn’t promote adult material and depictions of sexuality to minors, but Japanese culture also doesn’t seem to be as ashamed or frightened of sexuality & nudity as American culture often seems to be.

Studio Arms has been active in the adult anime production business for several years, having animated productions including La Blue Girl EX, Wordsworth, Inma Seiden, and Kite. In 1998 Studio Arms produced the two episode long OAV series Mezzo Forte, an action show that included several sequences of graphic sex. From the very beginning, Mezzo Forte creator Yasuomi Umetsu expressed interest in developing Mezzo Forte into a continuing series. That dream came true in early 2004 when Studio Arms released its first ever mainstream anime television series, Mezzo. (Since then Studio Arms has also produced and released the Elfen Lied and Kakyuusei 2 anime TV series.) Mezzo made the jump to television series for a number of reasons. Umetsu, the director and creator of Mezzo Forte, is an influential staff member of Studio Arms. Furthermore, the Mezzo story itself lends itself well to development as a mainstream anime TV series. Finally, the Mezzo TV series was developed, in part, as a result in interest in the project from American fans and distributors.

As I mentioned, it’s actually quite common for adult material to evolve into mainstream anime in Japan. In fact, many well known and very popular anime series were originally adults’ only computer games. Just a few examples include To Heart, Kanon, Yami to Boushi to Hon no Tabibito, Popotan, Comic Party, Variable Geo, Green Green, Izumo 2, Welcome to Pia Carrot, Wind ~A Breath of Heart~, Shingetsutan Tsukihime, Fate/stay night, and Kimi ga Nozomu Eien. But ironically, in some cases, mainstream shows that were not based on pornographic material, such as the original Hanaukyo Maid Tai, Mahoromatic, and Gantz TV series, have included more nudity and sex than many of the shows that were actually based on adult material.

It may be difficult for an American to accept the idea of pornography being turned into very innocent and even heartwarming, family friendly anime, but Japanese culture, and particularly Japan’s anime community, sees adult anime and manga and games not as vile and shameless pornography, but rather as stories that are as valid as any other; stories which happen to include gratuitous, graphic sex. When that is the case, simply by removing the sex, you’re left with a legitimate story that can appeal to mainstream viewers. The international popularity of anime series including Kimi ga Nozomu Eien, Tsukihime, and Comic Party prove that it’s the quality of the show, not its origins, which determine a show’s potential. While American culture may be quick to oppose anything related to pornography in any way, Japan’s anime community approaches adult material holistically, considering its characters and story independently, which allows for them to evolve into new incarnations for new audiences.