Why is Attack on Titan Banned in Russia?

Attack on Titan (AoT), a globally popular anime known for its intense action, dark themes, and complex narrative, has been banned in Russia due to concerns about its potential negative impact on children. Specifically, a Russian court ruled that the series “undoubtedly harms young children’s spiritual and moral education and development” and is “contradicts the humanistic nature of upbringing inherent in Russia.” This decision was made by the Oktyabrsky District Court of St. Petersburg, reflecting a broader trend of increased scrutiny and censorship of foreign media perceived as harmful to Russian youth. Unlike bans in other countries that cite graphic violence or anti-government messages, Russia’s ban is centered on the series’ alleged detrimental effect on children’s moral development.

This ban is not an isolated incident. Russia has been increasingly strict regarding content it deems inappropriate for minors. It’s part of a wider concern about preserving traditional values and protecting children from perceived negative influences found in foreign media, including anime.

The Reasoning Behind Russia’s Ban on AoT

The primary reasoning behind Russia’s ban on Attack on Titan, as stated by the court, is its perceived harm to children’s spiritual and moral upbringing. The Russian authorities have expressed worries that the anime promotes:

• Violence and brutality: While AoT is well-known for its action, the depiction of graphic violence, monstrous titans, and the constant loss of life is seen as excessively disturbing and unsuitable for younger viewers.
• Psychological Distress: The show often delves into dark themes, including despair, loss, and the psychological impact of war, which could be considered traumatizing for some children.
• Erosion of Humanistic Values: The series’ intense focus on conflict, and characters often resorting to violence, contradicts what the Russian government believes is a healthy moral development.

It is important to note that this decision is based on the court’s interpretation of the series’ impact and not necessarily factual evidence of harm. Furthermore, the ban aligns with Russia’s broader policy of regulating media to promote its cultural values and protect young audiences from content seen as unsuitable.

Broader Context: Russia’s Censorship of Anime

The Attack on Titan ban is part of a wider wave of censorship targeting various anime series in Russia. Several other popular titles have been prohibited on similar grounds, including Death Note, Tokyo Ghoul, and Inuyashiki. The main rationale is consistent: to protect children from what authorities perceive as violent, psychologically damaging, or morally corrupting content.

These actions underscore a larger effort by Russia to regulate media consumption and to promote their understanding of traditional values. This approach involves a strict interpretation of how media affects young people’s psyche.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below are 15 frequently asked questions about the AoT ban and related issues.

1. Is Attack on Titan banned globally?
No, Attack on Titan is not banned globally. While it has been censored in some countries, including China, due to its violent content and anti-authoritarian themes, it remains widely accessible in many parts of the world. Russia’s ban is specifically about the perceived impact on children’s moral development.

2. Why was Attack on Titan banned in China?
In China, Attack on Titan was banned for what the Chinese authorities see as an anti-authoritarian message and what they perceive as a bad portrayal of China and its relationship with Japan. Additionally, the series’ graphic violence contributed to the ban.

3. What other anime are banned in Russia?
Besides Attack on Titan, several other popular anime series have been banned in Russia, including: Death Note, Tokyo Ghoul, Inuyashiki, Elfen Lied, Akira, and even Happy Tree Friends and Mortal Kombat: Scorpion’s Revenge.

4. What is the main reason for Russia banning anime?
The main reason cited by Russian authorities for banning anime is the claim that these series encourage violence, psychological distress, and harmful moral development in children. They believe these shows contradict humanistic values.

5. Is Crunchyroll blocked in Russia?
Yes, Crunchyroll has suspended its anime streaming service in Russia, which means that official access to a vast catalog of anime titles, including AoT, is no longer available within the country.

6. Why did Russia ban Death Note?
Death Note was banned in Russia because of concerns that teenagers were attempting to replicate violent acts from the series. Russian courts deemed the series as containing excessive violence, cruelty, and murder.

7. What was the specific court case that led to the AoT ban in Russia?
The ban on Attack on Titan in Russia was the result of a decision by the Oktyabrsky District Court of St. Petersburg. This court made the decision after reviewing the content of the anime.

8. What does Russia mean by “humanistic upbringing?”
Russia’s idea of “humanistic upbringing” emphasizes traditional values, emphasizing compassion, respect, moral responsibility, and patriotism. They perceive series like AOT as going against these values by portraying extreme violence and moral ambiguity.

9. Is Netflix banned in Russia?
While not completely banned, Netflix has suspended its services in Russia and stopped developing or acquiring any Russian-made or commissioned TV shows and films.

10. Is JoJo Rabbit banned in Russia?
Yes, the film JoJo Rabbit was banned in Russia for unknown reasons, though it is likely due to its satirical portrayal of Hitler and Nazism.

11. Has any movie or tv show related to BTS been banned in Russia?
No, BTS is not banned in Russia itself, their music can still be listened to and they are allowed to perform there. However, the situation is different in some republics near or within Russia.

12. Why are some anime banned in China?
China bans anime for several reasons, including: portrayal of violence and blood, perceived immoral content, anti-authoritarian messages, and themes they deem to be disrespectful towards their history or relationship with Japan.

13. Is the anime Naruto banned in India?
Naruto is not banned in India. It was aired on Cartoon Network in Hindi dub but later removed because of ratings. It was less popular than Dragon Ball in India.

14. Is My Hero Academia banned in China?
Yes, My Hero Academia is banned in China due to a controversial character whose name was seen as a reference to a horrific war crime.

15. Are there other countries that have similar censorship policies as Russia?
Yes, several countries have similar censorship policies aimed at protecting children from potentially harmful content, including China, various nations in the Middle East, and some countries in South America. The reasons and targets may vary, but the underlying intention is similar: to control the media young audiences consume.