The Exception That Proves the Rule
@katsumi_maki
Words
Content boundaries
- Pedo
- R34 of any fandom except anime
The R34 anime exception is an exception, but it is not an invitation.
R34, short for Rule 34, is an internet adage that says “if something exists, there is porn of it.” In practice, people use it to refer to sexually explicit fan-made material, especially art, of characters or media that may not be sexual in the original source.
At times, anime is canonically exaggerated, and with that comes sexual exaggeration. In that sense, anime is already within the realm of R34, despite that rule being about how “if it exists, there is porn of it.” I’m not conflating all of anime with porn, though there is ecchi and other anime or manga media that is actually porn. Explicit works are known as hentai. And ecchi refers to sexually suggestive anime or manga content that is usually not explicit pornography, but just a little “h” or a little bit of hentai (the word ecchi comes from the pronunciation of the first letter of hentai). It is just that the source material and the usual direction of anime means that porn of it is less likely to be shocking and more likely to be seen as fanart, though fanart made by an artist who doesn’t mind, or likes, drawing adult media for themselves or for others, or commissioned by others.
Basically, the contrast of R34 and anime is actually reduced because of the source material. Anime often includes fanservice. Fanservice means material added partly to please fans, often through jokes, references, attractive character shots, revealing outfits, or suggestive scenes. It is not always sexual, but it often can be.
This exclusion of anime from my content boundaries is not an invitation to send me hentai, but it is a recognition that I’m not going to be shocked or take too much offense if an internet group chat has an anime gif that is a bit spicy. Not too much offense, but it can still get out of hand.
It might still be out of place within a given conversation, but it won’t trigger me in the way that seeing a cherished western cartoon drawn with explicit intent would make me feel. That makes me feel panic, revulsion, sadness, the works. It feels like corruption, since the western cartoon media that I consume is more overwhelmingly innocent in nature.
Basically, the parts of anime and anime fandom I’ve encountered have done themselves no favors by placing anime into the lewd category of my life. Though, since it has a place there, then I am able to more easily engage with material (even if just academically or appreciating the art) that includes adult topics via anime.