Lolis are a popular character archetype in anime and manga. With their youthful features and surprisingly large adult fanbases, they are extremely controversial — especially when you veer into the territory of lolicon.
With equally fervent defenders and opponents to the genre, lolicon has created a massive divide within the anime or Otaku community. Some say it should be banned; others argue that because it is fictional, no real children are harmed. Questions of censorship, pedophilia, and artistic integrity drive debates.
Today, we will discuss the genre itself, its history, its legality, and arguments from both sides of the debate.
What is Lolicon?
Lolicon is a type of anime/manga where girls are placed in erotic situations. Otakus or anime communities might extend the definition to pornography featuring young or young-looking girls. There is an equivalent trope that involves young-looking boys called shotacon, though it is significantly less popular.
The term lolicon can be traced to the notorious book Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov. In the novel, 37-year old Humbert justifies his attraction towards a 12-year old girl named Dolores. He gives her the nickname Lolita, which referred to a seductive young woman. The act of calling her Lolita represents Humbert’s objectification of the girl. Because many people don’t remember her actual name, Humbert was successful in erasing her identity and desires as Dolores, the human.
Much like its literary predecessor, girls are given the title of ‘loli’ if “they appear to be underage and, if they actually are underage, [they are] perceived in a sexual manner.”
History of Lolicon
Japanese fanzine Cybele popularized the lolicon genre in the 1970s. Standout artist Hideo Azuma, considered the father of lolicon, contributed heavily to Cybele. Azuma modernized drawn Japanese erotica by contrasting the existing pornography of gritty sharp angles with his clean, round designs.
The 1980s was the “lolicon boom,” where the genre became widespread. The popularity of lolicon was largely a response to the growth of yaoi — a genre about homosexual men largely made by and for women. Straight men wanted something by and for them. The “boom” came to a halt in 1984. Erotic manga creators evolved the lolis to have both baby faces and mature, adult bodies, essentially making them not lolis anymore.
Who is the loli? And is she okay?
There are multiple different types of loli characters, but the three main categories are true loli, teen loli, and legal loli. A true loli is a character that is genuinely a child — as in, under 13 years old. The teen loli is between 14 and 17. Finally, the legal loli is 18 and old enough to give consent, thus making her legal.
The legal loli may be freshly 18, but she might also be a dragon in a human form, a thousand year-old witch, or simply someone who looks young for her age.
As for whether she’s okay, it’s hard to say. Lolicon erotica may have the girl seducing the male main character or enjoying herself during intercourse to ease some of the guilt viewers may experience while watching. But often, she is a pure victim to fully indulge male readers in the fantasy.
Lolis are not restricted to lolicon and erotica.
A loli is not trapped within the bounds of pornography — she may be in cute and wholesome fantasy stories. It’s almost more insidious to be attracted to these characters than lolis in erotica.
The girls in these fantasy mangas are not necessarily supposed to be sexy: They are made to be cute interpretations of mythical beings. So when a man calls her his waifu or draws erotic fan art, he is sexualizing a child’s body without prompting.
With the disturbing nature of lolicon, (the characters are only sometimes able to legally consent and always look like children), you may be wondering if this is even legal.
Is lolicon legal in the United States?
Short answer: No.
The PROTECT Act of 2003 defines child pornography as any obscene image that contains an identifiable minor. While lolis are not human, they are identifiably minors.
“Images of children, even those created with computer technology, will now be illegal, giving prosecutors an important new tool. Obscene images of children, no matter how they are made, incite abuse, raise the dangers to children, and will not be tolerated in America.” – George W. Bush, 2003
Longer answer: ehhhhhhhhh….
The key word in the above quotation regarding lolicion is “obscene.” The first amendment does not protect obscene expression. However, for something to qualify as obscene, it must meet three criteria:
- The average person would consider the work perverse or offensive.
- The work depicts sexual content that is insulting to the average person.
- The work lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.
The last point about societal value often enables lolicon to avoid the “obscene” label. It is difficult to claim that anime or manga with lolicon has no artistic value.
Additionally, Miller v. California leaves the regulation of “obscene” content to the lowest forms of community possible. The case did not create a national standard and declared that forum standards could determine obscenity. In this way, websites like 4chan, which are known for their lax attitude towards sexual content, are largely able to keep lolicon and more on their website.
To conclude this section, mere possession of lolicon is not illegal. Unless you possess a large quantity — to the point where a prosecutor can allege you were attempting to sell and distribute — a few lolis won’t get you into any trouble.
But what about legal lolis?
This is where things get even messier. Legal lolis are legally old enough to consent; they are legal adults. Possessing legal loli is not an issue. (Though, if found in addition to significant amounts of standard lolicon, it certainly wouldn’t be helpful.)
However, she still looks and acts like a child.
It is important to note: the legal loli in question has the body of a child. She acts like a child as well. She still has a high-pitched voice. Sure, she’s technically an adult, but does it really matter?
You shouldn’t sexualize her because she is drawn in the exact same way as a child character. If you’re attracted to the technically legal loli, why wouldn’t you be attracted to the 12-year-old who looks, speaks, and acts identically to her?
So… should we further restrict lolicon?
Loli, as discussed in Miller v. CA, has an artistic value that evokes emotions and sensations in viewers. It is an uncomfortable art form and because it is art, it is difficult to regulate.
The case for leaving lolicon restrictions as is:
Lolicon may act as symbolism for feeling out of control or restrained. One lolicon artist said that “he is the girl who is raped in his manga. In that he has been raped by society, or by the world. He is in a position of weakness.”
He continued to say that readers are projecting themselves onto the girl in a horrible situation, not the rapist; that lolicon reveals an “abstract desire [that] does not necessarily connect to real desires.” If that’s the case, is it really okay to limit this art form?
The idea that lolicon does not have to translate into real world desires toward children is a common defense. YouTube creator ChrisBe stated in his brief video: “As long as you distinguish between fiction and reality, there should not be a problem.”
Finally, a major reason people use to defend lolicon is that previous attempts to restrict lolicon have only led to a larger demand. Japan created obscenity laws in their efforts to limit lolicon and other forms of child pornography. A common fix was to blur the genitalia. However, “to erase the genitals is to promise pleasure but ultimately withhold it, engendering a desire that cannot be fulfilled despite endless consumption.” Obscenity laws have actually led to a boost of sexual fantasy and lolicon.
All of these arguments combine to make a solid case in favor of lolicon and less restrictions, or at least not expanding limitations.
The case for restricting lolicon
Lolicon and access to erotica starring child-like or barely legal characters impacts the brain. It can be damaging for minors who are able to (easily) obtain it. It is easy for minors to purchase lolicon at convenience stores. Excessive exposure to lolicon and pornography negatively impacts development, leading to depression, poor concentration, and lack of empathy regarding sexual behavior.
Lolicon also sends the message to young girls that their bodies are mere objects for consumers and that their youth and innocence is sexually desirable.
Widespread lolicon has links to increased sexual abuse of children in Japan. So despite what ChrisBe and other defenders might say, it is not so straightforward to keep reality and erotica separate.
For those who defy restrictions on lolicon and claim that it’s censorship, we must discuss the paradox of tolerance. The paradox states that in order to create a more tolerant, safe society, we must become intolerant to whatever opposes those goals. If censoring or limiting lolicon creates a safer environment for children, then it is the right move.
Wrapping up
Lolicon normalizes the sexualization of young female characters, but it also infringes on safe spaces for girls in the anime and shoujo communities. With adults taking over fandoms to sexualize underage characters, online communities are not safe for young fans.
It’s not my place to say that all lolicon enjoyers are pedophiles or that lolicon needs to be banned. But despite lolicon and legal lolis being (mostly) legal, fantasizing about these characters, especially outside the context of erotica, is definitely weird. So when you meet someone overly defensive of his right to loli in anime, be careful. And maybe check his hard drive.
