On March 4th, Funimation revealed that they had acquired the streaming rights to the “complex and dark drama” Dance in the Vampire Bund. Due to its scenes of lolicon fanservice, this licensing decision came as a shock. Especially considering the bad taste left in the mouths of fans by the Christopher Handley case. The next day it was announced that they would be editing their release of the show. The Internet then proceeded to lost it's shit.
A few angry fans on the ANN forum actually went as far as to comparing Dance in the Vampire Bund to Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of Lolita. Forum member J-syxx says this:
“Stanly Kubrik's Lolita is perfectly fine and this isn't. Have you ever actually read the novel, Lolita? Explain to me why the content in the novel of Lolita is legal and in every library in the country, yet this anime shouldn't be allowed? Yeah, that's what I thought.”
Thankfully tuxedocat stepped in to refute this statement, “The Kubrick film was made with the intent to cause discomfort. Vampire Lolita is made with the intent to arouse. So yeah, creepy.” Had this not happened, I might have given up on anime forever. Frankly, I don’t want to be part of a group that will sincerely say something so uninformed. I applaud your valiance, tuxedocat. You’re a true warrior.
Let’s get one thing straight: I’m super bias about this topic. I really don’t give a fuck that a couple scenes that sexualize minors (“excuse me, she just looks like a minor; she’s actually a couple centuries old, lol”) are removed from an already mediocre show that I'll likely never experience. But in order to give a more accurate report on the matter, I watched the first handful of episodes on funimation.com.
It actually wasn’t that bad. I’m to understand that they removed some naked lotion rubbing, but I couldn’t tell because the story made plenty of sense without the scene. I was also privy to scene where the female protagonist fought someone while naked, but her erogenous zones were blurred out (THANK GOD!).
There is one interesting, and probably inadvertent effect of this editing, however. The fact that this lotion rubbing scene was removed had no impact on the plot. Hell, I couldn't even tell it was gone. This just goes to show how forced fanservice in anime has gotten. In a perfect world anime companies would catch wind of this and stop adding crappy fanservice where it doesn't belong and start focusing on--oh, I don't know--the plot.
I'm just as guilty as the next guy for enjoying a little fanservice on occasion. I will fully admit to having the hots for Yoko from Gurren Lagann, but she at least looked like she was legal. But having a seemingly 12 year old girl prancing around onscreen in the nude is crossing the line, and Funimation realizes this fact.
I can't pretend to understand why they bothered acquiring this show in the first place--maybe it was part of a package deal, or they didn't know what they were getting themselves into--but I'm glad they're handling it with caution. Anime fans can't afford for another company to go down, especially over something as stupid as a "child porn" scandal. Think about it, if Funimation crashes, anime is dead.
Another thought that occurred to me was that maybe they're doing this intentionally. Perhaps they wanted to spark a little purposeful controversy. It reminds me of when ADV announced said they were changing the title of Utawarerumono to Shadow Warrior Chronicles only to release another statement two months later saying otherwise (the corporate equivalent of, "Just kidding! But you should have seen the look on your face!"). While I highly doubt Funimation will recant their desicion, it certainly can't be denied that it got people talking. Seriously, was anybody watching this show prior to the announcement? I sure as hell wasn't! And I know I'm not the only one that checked it out based solely on this fan uproar.
So here's my message to you, Angry Anime Fans on the Internet: Stop whining. It's only a cartoon. Your first amendment rights have not been violated, and Funimation is not out to get you. No matter how old Mina Tepes technically is, masturbating to her makes you a pedophile. Funimation is still releasing Strike Witches uncut, so stop freaking out. The only message that canceling your Strike Witches pre-order is going to send is, "People don't want to buy creepy loli anime anymore," which might not be a bad message after all. And my final piece of advice is this: DON'T BE A PUSSY, OR I'LL BEAT YOUR ASS!
Five Totally Badass Anime Series That Were Released Uncut That You Should Watch Instead of Dance in the Vampire Bund:
- Baccano
- Berserk
- Gantz
- Samurai X: Trust and Betrayal
- Shigurui: Death Freanzy
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March 30, 2010 at 7:07 pm ·
You named 5 uncut series to watch instead of Dance in the Vampire Bund when you should have named 7
Elfen Lied and Hellsing Ultimate.
That is all
March 30, 2010 at 7:42 pm ·
I can agree that Hellsing Ultimate is worth watching, but I can't in good conscience recommend Elfen Lied.
August 29, 2010 at 6:24 pm ·
You muddle several arguments together in your editorial, one of which is valid, others which are not.
The valid one is your acknowledgment of the political realities of capitalist censorship of art in a culturally backward nation like the United States. Yes, anime distribution will be hurt if reactionaries who hate freedom of expression use their leverage to economically destroy a company that brings anime to the US for commercial sale. Such a position calls for polite understanding and regret for the political and economic bind a company might be in.
Now, I have watched the first four episodes of 'Dance' and I was sorely disappointed that things were blurred out so hamfistedly in the battle scene. Only the most juvenile of people insecure with their own sexuality are threatened by the fact that children are creatures with a sexuality as well. Are you so frightened of what you might do that you give thanks to God you did not accidentally see a drawing of a naked child?
The removal of the scenes does impact the plot as the strange sexual tension between the protagonists is part of the plot. The odd nature of the woman in child's body is part of the dramatic tension of the story. If you do not feel you can keep yourself from masturbating over this, please do not watch it. But for those of us who are adults, let us enjoy our art. Your arbitrary age limits for exploring sexuality in nonexploitive mediums is irrational.
Thankfully, in the face of capitalist control of commercial media distribution, there are still ways for people to enjoy uncensored productions through other methods. Cultural reactionaries afraid of their own sexuality do not control everything.
Pedophilia, defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is "sexual perversion in which children are the preferred sexual object." So, despite the fact that you might be tempted to masturbate to 'Dance' you are NOT a pedophile unless that is your preferred focus for arousal.
But, please remember, this writer, and many others, are not at all aroused by watching the portrayal of sexual tension between creatures in adult and child bodies, and simply find the exploration of the relationship to be of cultural and dramatic interest.
August 30, 2010 at 12:13 am ·
Dude, way to be over four months late on this topic. I'm going to respond on the next episode of Whiskey Thursday where we talk about another show you might like, Koi Kaze.
September 6, 2010 at 6:35 am ·
[M wrote: "capitalist censorship of art in a culturally backward nation like the United States." ]
The following dumb words are the dumb opinion of a dumb fucking anarchist propagandist on the internet. Critical thinking is advised.
Capitalism itself doesn't cause censorship.
capitalism + state violence = censorship
That is what you get when a nations population has a violent gang ruling them. Funimation could have published uncut videos but they would have problems dealing with the socially acceptable Mafia known as government. Know what i sayin bitch? I hate these freaky dusty bitch ass suit wearing evil violent election holding moldy genital having fuckers.
you just got propagandized by an internet dumbass bitch. peace fools
I am the real Shadow Bone. Some password stealing people were at a house party and they fucked with some things. Shout out to Lab Ant. No more infowars for me, for real this time, I haven't read his shit for months.... fuck Alex Jones that bitch ass speculating dirty "small government" ass licker... anarchist life for Shadow Bone all the way. Suck my dick and my uncles balls.
July 29, 2011 at 4:34 pm ·
this whole argument is stupid its just an anime series nothing more if you want to see it uncensored then look for it on BD or on the internet the government cant censor everything if you know what i mean and they are incompetent prics so just look for it and shut up