Anime Hypermasculinity Places Hentai Under the Microscope

“Animation can explain whatever the mind of man can conceive. This facility makes it the most versatile and explicit means of communication yet devised for quick mass appreciation.”- Walt Disney. Human sexuality is rather diverse so too is animation. There is a school of thought that promotes the fluidity of human sexuality. There are also numerous genres of animation. One can also argue that anime is a fluid construct. For many of us, there are shifts in our lives. These seismic shifts are played out in our relationships, jobs and friendships. Do you share the view that sexual orientation develops at an early age and then remains stable throughout our lives? People may experience changes regarding who they are attracted to, who they have sex with, and which labels they use to describe their sexual orientation. Such changes in sexual orientation are called sexual fluidity. Our sexual orientation is often influenced by both traditional and non-traditional sources. Of course, there are other factors too that impact our orientation regarding sex such as religious beliefs, societal customs and family values. Even in societies where sex education is not taught in schools; students find a way around this. The cellular phone and the internet are widely used tools to navigate information concerning human sexuality as well as animation. Interestingly, even those students who are challenged pertaining to literacy skills are experts in navigating the internet in finding those sites which contain adult information. Many parents are unaware of what their children are exposed to on the internet. Many parents are clueless pertaining to who their children are communicating with via the internet. Many students have passwords on their cellular phones. Yes, the same cellular phones their parents purchased for them. Students are smart and in most instances they are years ahead of their parents regarding the technology. In fact, there are those children who readily give their parents access to their passwords for their social media accounts, but unknown to their parents those children have multiple social media accounts. The real account where the fun takes places is off limits to parental oversight What Parents need to be Aware of when it comes to Anime Pornography? . Anime is a Japanese animation style that is produced or influenced by it. It is the Japanese term for cartoon or animation where the Japanese use the word to describe all cartoons irrespective of the nation. However, outside Japan, anime denotes animation movies that come exclusively from Japan, distinguished by blazing graphics, energetic characters, and attractive themes such as sci-fi, romance, and supernatural forces. The art style connected with anime is distinct and easily identifiable such as large eyes, untamed hair, lengthy arms and limbs. Anime has been around for almost a century. The first confirmed example, Namakura Gatana, was released in 1917 and lasted only four minutes. Anime has been popular in Japan for almost a century. Japanese television shows and films have now gained a foothold across the globe. Hentai is a clever and easy way to introduce children to pornography. Hentai is a Japanese word that translated into English means "perverse" sexual desire. It is porn that comes in cartoons, anime, or Manga format, and it is one of the most popular kinds of porn for Millenials, young adults, and children. Dr. Leon Seltzer, a psychologist believes the rise in popularity is due to unlimited sexual fantasies available through this format. The animated porn often depicts highly exaggerated sex acts featuring characters with exaggerated breasts, penises, and other body parts. It is common for monsters, demons, animals, giant insects, and plants to rape cartoon women. The age of the girls is often indistinguishable but what is common is Hentai porn portrays the characters as sexually innocent. The Attraction. One of the reasons, and probably seen as the “most important” reason, consumers say they prefer animated porn it does not involve real people. These cartoon sex scenarios involve animated humans (and other “non-humans”) in extreme, fantasy situations, without involving basically anything realistic or respecting the laws of physics and gravity. The avoidance of using living, breathing people invites the consumer to indulge in the more extreme side of their sexual fantasies without the knowledge that actual humans were subjected to sexual violence or degrading fetishes. Research indicates that popular themes in hentai involve airbrushed and exaggerated renders of humans and non-humans play out sexual fantasies that often defy the laws of gravity and nature, as cartoons usually do. Many cartoon porn consumers like animated porn because it does not involve real people. For some consumers, the science fiction aspect of animated adult videos can spark a real interest.

Sexual Violence against Women. The United Nations (UN) defines violence against women as "any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life. There is growing evidence on what works to prevent violence against women, based on well-designed evaluations. In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UN Women with endorsement from 12 other UN and bilateral agencies published RESPECT women – a framework for preventing violence against women aimed at policy makers. Each letter of RESPECT stands for one of seven strategies: Relationship skills strengthening; Empowerment of women; Services ensured; Poverty reduced; Enabling environments (schools, work places, public spaces) created; Child and adolescent abuse prevented; and Transformed attitudes, beliefs and norms. In order to challenge the well entrenched gender stereotypes there needs to be a more responsive approach from our education system. Too many boys are being fed a daily dose of anime pornography. There is a need for more research on anime and the impact this has on sexuality and sexual health. The time has come for schools to implement more programmes that will interrogate gender stereotypes and promote relationships based on equality and consent. RESPECT also highlights that successful interventions are those that prioritize safety of women; whose core elements involve challenging unequal gender power relationships Effects of Pornography . In our digital connected world it is very easy to find sexually charged material. Porn oftentimes promotes unrealistic body images, risky or unsafe sexual behavior, racism and gender stereotypes. Just like any other gratifying behavior pornography can be addictive. According to the 2015 report, consuming pornography may increase interest in “friends with benefits” sexual relationships. If a person has multiple friends with benefits, it may increase their exposure to sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Researchers have demonstrated associations between use of pornography and sexual objectification of women. Men exposed to pornography are more likely to describe women in overtly sexual terms, rather than by personal attributes. Men who view pornography regularly have a higher tolerance for abnormal sexual behavior, including rape, sexual aggression, and sexual promiscuity. It is also logical to believe that an addiction to pornography can lead to an increase in misogyny. Porn often fetishizes sexual orientation or gender identity by using degrading and offensive terms label certain sub- groups in the population. The porn industry also fetishizes Black masculinity rooted in the concept of hypermasculinity. Additionally, there is mythology around Black men as bestial, brutish, and well-endowed. These stereotypes lend credence to the institution of racism and how black communities are policed. Males are visually wired and as such live in a phallocentric world. Unquestionably, such content such as Hentai provides an instant form of phallic excitement. Animation and Game Design . Noteworthily,the Caribbean Examination Council CXC introduced Animation and Game Design at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) level to the region since 2017. Animation and Game Design is a course of study that focuses on the process of creating motion and shape change illusion as well as the art of applying design and aesthetics for animation and game development. The programme facilitates the creative and deliberate use of traditional and new media to represent thoughts, issues, and messages to various audiences. Animation and Game Design also provides opportunities for students not only to develop their aesthetic and technical competence, but to express creativity and conceptualize projects that integrate technology, arts and media to address local and international issues while creating a source of education, entertainment and employment. This clearly indicates that animation has a serious and academic side that more attention should be paid to by our students across the Caribbean region. Parental Responsibility. Undoubtedly, Gojo, from the series Jujutsu Kaisen is one of the most favourite anime characters. Delightfully, the Japanese animated feature film "The Boy and the Heron," a fantasy tale about a boy grieving his dead mother won an Oscar at the 2024 Academy Awards. We now live in an age characterized by the proliferation of social media platforms. Too many parents have abandoned their responsibilities and have allowed gadgets to grow their children. As a result many children have been subjected to various forms of abuse and bullying both in the real and virtual worlds. Gadgets will never be substitute parents. Parents need to take the time to know who their children friends are. In a world of pain and exploitation many children resort to a fantasy world which includes anime in a bid to escape. It is against this background that the miseducation of anime thrives. Parents need to take a more engaging role in the lives of their children. Porn is porn regardless of the packaging. Without a doubt those who are marketing this cartoon pornography are very strategic and calculating as they continue to make addicts of the next generation. Pay attention to your children! In the words of Nicole Sheitz, young people of all backgrounds deserve access to accurate, comprehensive and age-appropriate sexual health education and care. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #anime #hentai