Share:


Aspects of creativity in adult animation: an overview of censorship and self-censorship in Western countries

    Tomas Mitkus   Affiliation

Abstract

Today, adult animation is the fastest growing segment in the industry. However, adult animation is also the least researched topic in animation field. In this article, the author explores what key elements hinder the growth in this animation segment with a focus on self-censorship and how it affects modern adult animation creative output and overall production. Also, the author discusses the concept of censorship in animation and its historical development. In other words, the genesis, and then reform of formal censorship systems into the age rating systems. And, while technically, with the abolition of the formal censorship system, today animators can create content of any kind, adult animation in the Western world has only begun to grow relatively recently. This paper investigates the key reasons that motivate self-censorship in animation to exist today, even when all the data shows that never before in the history of this medium, has the adult animation segment had such good conditions to get funded and reach an audience. Additionally, the author examines the concept of mature themes from the perspective of Western censorship apparatus.

Keyword : adult animation, animation, animation censorship, animation self-censorship, creative industries, mature animation

How to Cite
Mitkus, T. (2023). Aspects of creativity in adult animation: an overview of censorship and self-censorship in Western countries. Creativity Studies, 16(1), 39–49. https://doi.org/10.3846/cs.2023.15446
Published in Issue
Jan 18, 2023
Abstract Views
2082
PDF Downloads
1913
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

References

Amidi, A. (2016). European producers prove that mature animated features are possible at cartoon movie. Cartoon Brew. https://www.cartoonbrew.com/events/european-producers-prove-mature-animated-features-possible-cartoon-movie-130379.html

Barker, M. (2016). “Knowledge-U-Like”: The British board of film classification and its research. Journal of British Cinema and Television, 13(1), 121–140. https://doi.org/10.3366/jbctv.2016.0299

Bendazzi, G. (2017). Animation: A world history. Vol. 1: Foundations – The Golden age. Routledge.

Boivin, J. (2017). Animation and the National Ethos: The American dream, socialist realism, and Russian émigrés in France [PhD/Doctoral Thesis, University of Alberta]. Canada. https://era.library.ualberta.ca/items/4e95c758-b5b5-4f18-bf2b-d97d43bc65fc

British Board of Film Classification. (2019). Classification Guidelines Report 2019. https://www.bbfc.co.uk/about-classification/research/classification-guidelines-report-2019

British Board of Film Classification. (2022). The Gestapo’s last orgy. https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/the-gestapos-last-orgy-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0zmzuyotk

Cartoon Media EU. (2022). Cartoon movie: Report 2020. https://www.cartoon-media.eu/cartoon-movie-event/cartoon-movie-2020/reports-cartoon-movie/report-2020.htm

Chen, Sh. (2020). Adults as audience: A review of The Guardian. Association for Chinese Animation Studies. https://acas.world/2020/09/15/adults-as-audience-a-review-of-the-guardian/

Cohen, K. F. (2004). Forbidden Animation: Censored cartoons and blacklisted animators in America. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers.

Costa, da Ch. C. H. (2007). Racial stereotyping and selective positioning in contemporary British Animation [PhD/Doctoral Thesis, University of Brighton, United Kingdom/University for the Creative Arts]. United Kingdom. https://cris.brighton.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/4755895/Binder1_Redacted.pdf

Deutsche Welle. (2022). How Germany’s film age-rating system works. https://www.dw.com/en/how-germanys-film-age-rating-system-works/a-41551312

Evershed, J. (2020). Adult animation: Finally breaking free of its comedy shackles. https://docplayer.net/188818388-Adult-animation-finally-breaking-free-of-its-comedy-shackles.html

Forumcinemas.lt. (1993–2022). Dešrelių balius. https://www.forumcinemas.lt/event/305118/title/de%C5%A1reli%C5%B3_balius/

Fubara-Manuel, I. (2017). Revolting animation: The hierarchy of masculinities in the representation of race and male same-sex desire in adult cartoons. Networking Knowledge, 10(3), 70–82. https://doi.org/10.31165/nk.2017.103.517

Gan, Sh. H. (2007). A Reevaluation of the importance of Mushi Pro’s three adult-oriented animated films in the development of Japanese animation. Cinema Studies, 2, 63–90.

Golovskoy, V. S., & Rimberg, J. (1986). Behind the Soviet screen: The motion-picture industry in the USSR, 1972–1982. Ardis.

Jiménez Pumares, M., Simone, P., Kevin, D., Ene, L., & Talavera Milla, J. (2015). Mapping the animation industry in Europe. European Audiovisual Observatory (Council of Europe).

Kaminskaitė-Jančorienė, L. (2008). „Brežnevinio sąstingio“ praeities deformacijos lietuviškuose kino ir televizijos vaidybiniuose filmuose (1968–1980 metai). Lietuvos istorijos studijos, 22, 104–116.

Kapka, A. (2017). “Cuts are not a viable option”: The British board of film classification. Hate Crime and censorship for adults in the digital age. Journal of British Cinema and Television, 14(1), 77–97. https://doi.org/10.3366/jbctv.2017.0353

Kapka, A. (2018). Eastern European ordeal cinema in the UK: Online distribution and film classification policies [PhD/Doctoral Thesis, Queen’s University Belfast]. United Kingdom. https://www.academia.edu/44898072/Eastern_European_Ordeal_Cinema_in_the_UK_Online_Distribution_and_Film_Classification_Policies

Kirwil, L. (2003, 3–5 September). Age or content based film ratings: A solution discussed in Poland. In The European Conference of Film Classification 2003. Berlin, Germany. https://fsf.de/data/hefte/pdf/Veranstaltungen/Archiv/2003_European_Conference/poland_abstract_ppp_.pdf

Leigh, M., & Mjolsness, L. (2020). Film and media studies. She animates: Soviet female subjectivity in Russian animation. A. Prokhorov & E. Prokhorova (Series Eds.). Academic Studies Press. https://doi.org/10.1515/9781644690352

Lietuvos kino centras prie Kultūros ministerijos. (2018). Įsakymas dėl filmų indeksavimo komisijos nuostatų patvirtinimo. https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/e9f3f5c1014911e8a2469c61d7bb0a92/asr

McGurk, S. (2021). How the adult animation boom saved television. GQ Magazine. https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/adult-animation-boom

Milligan, M. (2021). Russian court bans Death Note, Tokyo Ghoul and Inuyashiki for violence. Animation Magazine. https://www.animationmagazine.net/anime/russian-court-bans-death-note-tokyo-ghoul-inuyashiki-for-violence/?fbclid=IwAR0Gf8xSX3Q-1xDeYl6As8EgOiPW984VyF34MPHCr_UjsIOjaHbSNUUkFAU

Mitkus, T., & Nedzinskaitė-Mitkė, V. (2018, 13–15 July). Causes and conditions for animation-as-genre misconception: Lithuanian case [Conference presentation]. CONFIA 2018: 6th International Conference on Illustration and Animation. Esposende, Portugal [unpublished source].

Mitkus, T., & Steiblytė, R. (2018). Late Soviet film industry: Creativity and work culture. Creativity Studies, 11(1), 116–128. https://doi.org/10.3846/cs.2018.2372

Phillips, I. (2016). Seth Rogen’s raunchy Sausage Party can be seen by kids in Sweden. Insider. https://www.insider.com/sausage-party-sweden-rating-2016-8

Rotten Tomatoes. (2022). Sausage party. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sausage_party

Statens medieråd. (2021). Film classification. https://www.statensmedierad.se/aldersgranser-for-film/film-classification

Timsit, A. (2022). The vast gap between how the US and Europe think about teens and sex. Quartz. https://qz.com/1335380/eighth-grade-shows-the-difference-between-how-the-us-and-europe-think-about-teens-and-sex/

Venable, N. (2020). Netflix’s hoops creator talks animated nudity and that hilarious sex song. Cinema Blend. https://www.cinemablend.com/television/2553195/netflixs-hoops-creator-talks-animated-nudity-and-that-hilarious-sex-song

Weber, I. (2019, 5–7 March). Animation films for adults: Challenges and opportunities. In Europa Distribution: Distribution Workshop on Animation. Bordeaux, France. https://www.europa-distribution.org/animation-films-for-adults-challenges-and-opportunities/

Welk, B. (2020). “Onward” censored in Russia over LGBTQ character. The Wrap. https://www.thewrap.com/onward-censored-in-russia-over-lgbtq-character/

Wells, P. (2002). Animation: Genre and authorship. Columbia University Press.

Yahoo! Finance. (2021). Disney’s (DIS) new division to focus on adult animation: Zacks equity research. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/disneys-dis-division-focus-adult-144702079.html?guccounter=1