Ask John: Why is Anime More Mature?

Question:
Is the graphic content of anime and manga representative of a more lax Japanese society or a more mature fanbase? Does the lack of a strong Juedeo-Christian background contribute to more openmindedness?

Answer:
I am certainly not an authority in a position to provide any sort of definitive, conclusive answer to this question, but I do think that I can provide an intelligent, thoughtful answer. I’d say that the diversity and maturity evident in anime and especially in manga can be equated to the diversity of subject matter found in Western prose fiction. Because Asia, Japan in particular, considers comic art as much a legitimate form of literature as any other, manga can be considered roughly equivalent in Japan to a Western popular novel by John Grisham or Mary Higgins Clark, for example. I’m inclined to say that the market for manga and anime isn’t exactly due to a less-restrictive culture but is a product of a culture that places a heavier emphasis on personal responsibility and maturity than does the West. Some of this liberal, open-mindedness is, I’m sure due to the lessened Juedeo-Christian influence in Asia. This lessened influence of Western, Christian-style morality goes a long way to explaining the Asian open-mindedness regarding sexuality, and the fascination with Christian iconography and regalia evident in manga and anime.