🚫 Shimoneta and Anime Censorship: A Simpsons-Style Prediction?

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Shimoneta: A Boring World Where the Concept of Dirty Jokes Doesn’t Exist is known for its outrageous humor, social satire, and over-the-top censorship gags. But what if this controversial comedy actually predicted the future of anime censorship — the same way The Simpsons is famous for predicting real-world events?  In this video, we dive deep into Shimoneta’s themes, exploring how its extreme “censorship world” reflects modern issues affecting anime today: stricter broadcast regulations, platform restrictions, cultural sensitivity, and the growing debate around what is considered “acceptable” in entertainment.  We also compare the anime’s comedic exaggerations to real censorship controversies seen in both Japan and international streaming services. Did Shimoneta unintentionally foresee the direction things are heading?  🔍 In this analysis, we cover:   How Shimoneta uses comedy to comment on censorship  Real anime censorship trends in Japan & worldwide  Streaming platform restrictions and content filters  Why some fans believe Shimoneta “predicted” the future  The balance between creativity, laws, and cultural norms  💬 Question: Do you think anime is becoming too censored, or is it necessary? Let us know below!

Transcript

00:00In the dystopian satire Shimanita, a boring world where the concept of dirty jokes doesn't exist,

00:062015, Japan in 2030 punishes anything it considers immoral.

00:11The government forces citizens to wear, peacemakers, devices that analyze every obscene word or gesture.

00:17Although conceived with humor, the series seems to predict, as certain episodes of The Simpsons do,

00:23a future of extreme censorship of sexual content.

00:26Today, 10 years later, many fans see worrying parallels between that fictional world and the current reality of anime.

00:33More and more series are suffering cuts and changes imposed by governments and platforms,

00:37jeopardizing the creative freedom of the medium.

00:40In recent seasons, cases of censorship have emerged that confirm these suspicions.

00:44For example, the press reported that in Mashoko Tensei, Season 2, 2023,

00:50some international streaming services aired an edited version of a disturbing scene.

00:54The Hindustan Times explains that the original scene showed inappropriate touching.

00:59But outside Japan, Crunchyroll broadcast the censored scene,

01:02while only those who watched the uncensored version were able to see the full material.

01:07Chainsaw Man, 2022 fans were outraged when they discovered that Episode 7 omitted the most disgusting scene from the manga.

01:14A character vomits into Denji's mouth.

01:16Censor Scene reported that.

01:17This scene is not censored at any point in the manga, but it has been in the anime episode,

01:22prompting complaints against the MAPPA studio.

01:24Paradoxically, Chainsaw Man contains plenty of explicit gore,

01:28but it was decided to remove the vomiting scene because it was considered inappropriate for TV.

01:33Attack on Titan, 2013-2023

01:36Although it is an older series, its censorship made headlines in several countries.

01:41In 2024, Slashfilm recalled that in 2015, China banned Attack on Titan along with other violent manga.

01:48That includes scenes of violence, pornography, terrorism, and crimes against public morality.

01:54The article also highlights that Malaysia did not ban it, but did have to.

01:58Repaint the nudity of the Titans with pants, altering the original artwork.

02:01These changes show how even successful anime franchises can be mutilated by official censorship.

02:07Censorship is not just a problem in Japan or the West.

02:10In 2001, Saudi Arabia went so far as to ban any images of Pokemon.

02:15Because they promote gambling and contain religious symbols.

02:17This exemplifies how local beliefs have led to the banning of popular series.

02:21Similar edits are currently being reported throughout Latin America and Europe.

02:25Netflix or Crunchyroll versions that mute words, obscure risque scenes, or cut violence.

02:31All in the name of complying with broadcasting regulations or social pressure.

02:35It is not only the studios themselves that apply censorship.

02:38In 2025, the state of Texas, USA, passed SB20,

02:43a law originally designed to combat AI-generated child pornography.

02:46However, experts warned that its wording was so broad that it could label cartoons as illegal material.

02:53The Wikipedia article notes that critics believe the law could have a chilling effect on anime and manga

02:58by expanding the definition of obscene content to include animation.

03:03Similarly, similar bills in other countries seek to restrict series that deal with sensitive topics,

03:08government, violence, morality, anticipating a form of self-regulation that impoverishes creative output.

03:15Large streaming platforms also have an influence.

03:18To comply with more conservative broadcasting standards or avoid controversy,

03:22censored versions of episodes are often delivered.

03:25This is combined with the fear of sponsors and local audiences.

03:28Mushoku Tensei and Chainsaw Man are examples of how Crunchyroll

03:31and other platforms prefer to broadcast mild cuts rather than risk violating external rule.

03:37The result is that the original vision of anime is increasingly filtered or accompanied by warning

03:42and the audience receives watered-down material compared to the initial artistic project.

03:47Mushoku Tensei 2, 2023 Crunchyroll removed explicit elements from the adaptation of the most controversial art.

03:55Chainsaw Man Episode 7, 2022 MAPPA cut the vomiting scene considered indecent,

04:01despite leaving the rest of the gore intact.

04:03Attack on Titan, series banned in China for violent and moral issues.

04:07Censored in Malaysia, titans wearing pants.

04:10Pokemon, anime blocked in Saudi Arabia for promoting gambling and religious symbol.

04:14My dress-up darling, in several territories, erotic shots of the protagonist were blurred.

04:20In South Korea, even her scenes in underwear were censored in the anime.

04:24SB20 Law, Texas, 2025 new censorship law that could criminalize possession of obscene anime involving minors,

04:32which alarmed the community due to its scope over cartoons.

04:35These examples illustrate a global picture.

04:37Censorship comes from governments, religious norms, broadcasting regulations, and internal platform policy.

04:44In all cases, the resulting anime deviates from the original intended by the creators.

04:48It is disturbing to think that the fictional world of Shimanita,

04:52a Japan where even risque jokes are illegal, is reflected in real news stories.

04:57The anime emerged as a comical warning, but today, true anime, risks disappearing under layers of sugarcoating.

05:04When regulators or censors decide what can be shown, the artistic message is distorted.

05:09What was once transgressive or provocative becomes safe and generic.

05:13The final question remains unanswered.

05:15Do we want a future like this?

05:16This video does not aim to provide definitive answers, but rather to invite reflection.

05:20Each viewer must decide, do I prefer conformist, watered-down stories?

05:25Or do I want to defend access to anime in its original form, with all its creativity and power?

05:30As Shimanita ironically concludes, perhaps we are facing a modern version of a satirical prophecy.

05:36All that remains is to ask the public what kind of world they want to see reflected in their favorite series.

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