Ask John: Why Does Adult Swim Edit Anime?

Question:
Why does Cartoon Network’s “Adult Swim” claim that the anime presented is intended for a mature audience over the age of 18? First of all it is, I believe, illegal to air uncut content on public television. Programs like Yu Yu Hakusho that are made for an audience of 13 and over, are even edited. The way they present the rating suggestion at the start of a program is very misleading to parents. Do you not agree?

Answer:
It’s not illegal in America to air “uncut” or controversial material on broadcast or public television. It’s just not profitable. For every one hardcore fan that wants to see uncut anime broadcast on the Cartoon Network there are a dozen parents willing to write in or call to complain about inappropriate content in “cartoons,” and advertisers do not want to support or buy commercial airtime during highly controversial or offensive programs. Although fans commonly criticize the Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim program based on their own extrapolated conclusions, the Cartoon Network itself and Cartoon Network representatives have never claimed that the Adult Swim program would broadcast uncut anime.

The Adult Swim program suggested viewer warnings are not exactly “misleading” to parents because, in theory, young viewers that would possibly need parental guidance are not supposed to be watching the Adult Swim program to begin with. That’s why Adult Swim is aired very late at night. The Cartoon Network is a predominantly child friendly network. The Adult Swim mature viewer advisories are necessary to alert viewers that the programs broadcast during Adult Swim are not typical Cartoon Network programs suitable for small children. The advisory warnings exist to alert viewers that Adult Swim programs are not quite as sanitary as the Network’s daytime programming. The warnings, though, do not imply that the Adult Swim programs are unaltered or uncut.

It’s true that anime like Yu Yu Hakusho and Inuyasha are made for younger viewers in Japan, but there are very major differences between television viewing standards in Japan and America, and content that is considered acceptable viewing for young children in Japan is not considered appropriate children’s animation in America. It seems common for American fans to harshly criticize the Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim program and accuse it of being some sort of betrayal of anime fandom. However, anime fans should understand that the Cartoon Network’s main responsibility is not to anime fans but to its own stockholders. Especially considering its position as an advertiser supported basic cable channel, the Cartoon Network does not owe anime fans anything, nor does the network have any obligation to broadcast uncut or truly “mature” anime.°