Danica Davidson
December 9, 2021 
Japan’s Broadcasting Ethics and Program Improvement Organization’s Youth Committee previously defended Demon Slayer after some adults complained about the violence. “The popularity of the series and movie suggest that its content has been deemed acceptable,” the group said. “In addition, the concept of voluntary viewer discretion while watching is widely understood and accepted.” So, in other words, if you don’t like it, don’t watch it.
But with new Demon Slayer being played on Japanese TV, more complaints have come in, especially about Mugen Train. Here’s one example: “The contents are too grotesque for children, and since it was broadcast at 9 p.m., a censored version should have been shown instead.” Here’s another example: “I don’t believe it’s appropriate to show an anime with such provocative and cruel scenes at 9 p.m. on a Saturday.”
In reaction to the new complaints, The Youth Committee of the Broadcasting Ethics and Program Improvement Organization put out this statement:
“There are currently some differences of opinion within our committee in regard to the scenes of sword fighting and splattering blood, so all members will watch the anime once more and discuss its contents again.”
So everyone there sat down and watched Demon Slayer and discussed what they saw. While there were still some differing opinions, at the end of the day the group decided to defend Demon Slayer again. They wrote:
“More so than the blood, within the members of the committee there were some who were concerned about the depictions of bodies with severed heads. However, our overall opinion is that since the depictions are of human-like monsters, this is still within the range of what is permissible, and that proper consideration was shown by the broadcaster for a movie rated PG12 and being aired in a 9 p.m. time slot. Thus, we have concluded our discussion.”
Source: SoraNews24
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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, and its sequel, Manga Art for Intermediates, with professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
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