How Are Children Affected by Violent Depictions in Manga and Anime? — Understanding the Future of Regulations Through the Latest Research

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: The Pitfall of the Intuition "Violent Expression = Negative Impact"

2. The Evolution of Media Violence Research and Current Evidence

3. Children's Viewing Habits from Domestic and International Statistics

4. Unique Expression Techniques of Manga and Anime and Their Psychological Impact

5. The Current State of Regulation: Laws, Review Codes, and Distribution Guidelines

6. Risks and Protective Factors Indicated by Psychology and Developmental Science

7. Media Literacy Education and Practical Examples in Homes and Schools

8. Freedom of Expression and Responsibility from the Perspective of the Creative Industry

9. Future Policy Proposals: A Balanced and Multilayered Approach

10. Conclusion: From "Don't Watch/Read" to "How to Engage"
    
    

1. Introduction: The Pitfall of the Intuition "Violent Expression = Negative Impact"

In the spring of 2025, a bill was passed in Texas, USA, making the possession of violent comics a felony, sparking heated debate on social media domestically.Phoenix Talks Pop Culture Japan

Meanwhile, a survey by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare found that about 75% of elementary school students watch anime weekly, and manga accounts for about 30% of the average number of books read. In today's world, where the main media has shifted from print to video and comics, the impact of violent depictions is a theme that cannot be ignored.

2. The Evolution of Media Violence Research and Current Evidence

2-1 Classical Research and Meta-Analysis

Since Bandura's "Bobo Doll Experiment" in the 1970s, over 1,000 papers have been accumulated. The latest meta-analysis (70,000 subjects, data from 2010-2023) reports a significant correlation between the amount of violence viewed and aggression (r = 0.19).ResearchGate The effect size is small to medium, but it is evaluated as large enough to potentially influence crime rates on a societal scale.

2-2 Elementary School Period is the Most Susceptible

A longitudinal study of 1,600 fifth graders in the U.S. found that viewing violence in TV, games, and comics significantly predicted physical aggression six months later.PMC

3. Children's Viewing Habits from Domestic and International Statistics

A 2024 survey of 3,000 Japanese high school students showed that the average daily anime viewing time was 1.8 hours, with about 38% watching works containing "bloodshed and slashing" almost daily.atlantis-press.com The proportion exposed to live-action violent videos via social media was reported to be 60%, indicating a rapid decline in viewing barriers.Daily Telegraph

4. Unique Expression Techniques of Manga and Anime and Their Psychological Impact

4-1 "Exaggeration and Stylization" Boost Emotions

Anime amplifies emotional arousal through camera work, editing, and sound effects. A case study (17 junior high school students in Kyoto) showed that slashing scenes in anime increased fear scores by 15% compared to live-action films.kyotogakuen.repo.nii.ac.jp

4-2 Fan Culture and Conformity Effects

Fan art and MAD videos on social media were found to repeat and reinterpret violent images, stimulating the "remix desire" within conformist communities.SpringerOpen

5. The Current State of Regulation: Laws, Review Codes, and Distribution Guidelines

In Japan, the amendment to the Child Pornography Prohibition Act includes an obligation to investigate cruel expressions in anime and CG, but it is under continued deliberation due to opposition from the publishing industry.Mayuko Watanabe Official Site

6. Risks and Protective Factors Indicated by Psychology and Developmental Science

• Short-term Effects: Physiological arousal (increased heart rate, skin conductance response) and increased hostility perception.
  
  

• Long-term Effects: Mediated by experiences of domestic violence and the presence of social support, viewing violence alone does not determine crime rates.takauchi.jp

• Protective Factors:

  1. Media Literacy Education: Participants in "Anime-themed Critique Workshops" at public libraries showed a decrease in aggression scales.kyotogakuen.repo.nii.ac.jp

  2. Parent-Child Viewing and Dialogue: Families that engage in simultaneous viewing and sharing impressions three or more times a week have aggression scores 17% lower than those who watch in isolation.ResearchGate

7. Media Literacy Education and Practical Examples in Homes and Schools

• In schools that introduced "Manga and Anime Interpretation Notebooks" for upper elementary students, the number of children who could verbalize the "differences from reality" in violent scenes doubled.

• In junior high technology classes, incorporating "fake video editing experiences" improved critical attitudes toward social media dissemination.Mainichi Shimbun

8. Freedom of Expression and Responsibility from the Perspective of the Creative Industry

At a roundtable discussion with publishers and anime studios (March 2025),

1. Unified Age-Specific Package Labeling,

2. Collaborative Rating with Distribution Platforms,

3. Contextual Explanation Captions for Violent Depictions
   
   were confirmed as policies to be voluntarily promoted.Taylor & Francis Online

9. Future Policy Proposals: A Balanced and Multilayered Approach

1. Stepwise Access Control: Mandate age gates and parental controls, with government technical support.

2. Continued Investment in Research Funding: Correct the lack of long-term cohort studies.

3. Triadic Model of Education, Industry, and Government: Establish a "Literacy Meister" system to expand successful cases nationwide.

10. Conclusion: From "Don't Watch/Read" to "How to Engage"

Violent depictions are also elements that support the freedom of creation and the rights of viewers. As seen in this article, the presence or absence of impact cannot be simply described in black and white. The key is "quantity," "context," anddialogue. Instead of relying solely on regulation, the sustainable solution is for families, schools, communities, and industries to collaborate to create an environment where children can "healthily encounter" creative works.

🔗List of Reference Articles (External Links, Chronological Order)

1. Media Violence Exposure and Physical Aggression in Fifth-Grade Children (PMC) (2023-11-26)

2. Anime Watching: A New Kind of Addiction? (SpringerOpen) (2024-10-03)

3. Impact of Violence in Japanese Anime on the Psychological Development of Adolescents (Atlantis Press) (2024-06-15)

4. Meta-Analysis: Media Violence & Aggression (ResearchGate) (2023-08-20)

5. Manga, Book Banning, Censorship and You (Phoenix Talks Pop Culture Japan) (2025-