The Little Things in Life - On Lolicon

[Cross 12]

The Little Things in Life - On Lolicon

By Cross

 

 

C.P.?

 

In 2005 a 26-year old Canadian was arrested for “importing child porn”. He pleaded guilty and was therefore spared jail, but next to some minor punishments (community service, forced counseling and a fine) his name was put on the sex-offender registry.

 

Why I’ m telling you this, you ask? Because the “child porn” he imported was Manga. Lolicon Manga.

When a man is sentenced for looking at some drawings something is wrong in the world. Globalization and Internet allow us to get entertainment from all over the world, but unfortunately the cultural borders are still there.

Child abuse is as old as humanity and I’m fairly sure that soon after the invention of photography some bastards used it to exploit children for their twisted needs, but when the Internet-age began everything exploded. The Internet offered places for pedophiles to share their material fast and in masses.

 

During the last decade the whole topic was picked up by the public and politicians and the laws were tightened to stop the unhealthy development. This is not bad in itself, but as usual when people talk about things they don’t understand (as politicians do with a look on their approval ratings) things tend to get fucked up, which brings us straight to today’s issue.

 

Lolita Complex

 

Japan has a huge obsession with youth. All girls in Manga, Anime and VNs appear pretty young, even grown up women don’t have wrinkles and are always slim and attractive. I remember that Matsumi from “Family Project” has a trauma of feeling too old, despite being only 30 and she is no exception. From my European perspective it seems that female maturity is despised and older women are considered worthless and ugly in Japan. Whether this is correct or just a prejudice, the facts in Otaku-media can’t be denied.

When being young is a virtue it is only consequent that being a kid is even better…

 

Lolicon is the term for pictures and movies involving drawn females with child-like appearances. The actual age of the character is secondary, what matters is a small body (including breasts) and usually, but not always a matching personality (innocent, pure, childish). It is a popular archetype in Japanese media since the 80s and as long as it stayed there everything seemed to be fine…

 

East and West

 

Japan’s laws separate clearly between drawn materials and actual child porn. Western laws are mostly different, prohibiting EVERYTHING featuring child-like characters. This conflict gets more severe when you think about the masses of Lolicon material on the Internet, which could be considered as child porn in the western world.

 

When MangaGamer censored Matsuri in “Family Project” and the translator of “Hoshizora no Memoria” replaced Loli H-Scenes with pictures of dolphins (!) the community raged, but from a judicial point of view I can understand it. I wouldn’t want to be persecuted for distributing child porn either.

 

In the recent years things changed a little, but unfortunately for the worse.

In 2010 a bill was proposed in Tokyo, which would prohibit every “harmful manga” (referring to Loli).

This incident is known as the “Tokyo Loli Ban” and fortunately it was rejected later, but the whole affair shows that Japan seems to be negatively influenced by the Western politics, which rejects to even consider Lolicon as art.

Someone in some forum called it an “attempt to appease the American Overlords” and I agree. Out of fear that the “American friends” could be upset those politicians tried to deny their own culture and this is really sad, because Japanese culture is awesome!

 

How will this problem continue? I don’t know. Basically there are two possibilities: Either the laws become more rigid or the tension decreases and Lolis will be tolerated. Let’s hope for the best.

 

From a Certain Point of View

 

I wrote about laws and culture, but let me tell you about my personal feelings regarding this topic.

 

I first came in contact with Lolicon when I was in 8th grade. A friend gave me a DVD with stuff we called “Manga porn” back then. Basically it was Hentai material with some Lolis in it. I remember that I was more or less bored (I still find it very difficult to fap to Hentai).

 

Things changed when I played “Family Project”. One of the heroines is a 14-year old girl named Matsuri. She is your typical token Loli: she is innocent to an almost ridiculous degree (she faints when she sees the protagonist’s dick), she blushes a lot and is generally very clingy and yearning for affection.

I don’t know what you think of girls like her, but I fell in love instantly.

 

Matsuri showed me what makes Lolis appealing.

 

Pure Love

 

Who enjoys Lolicon the most? I could be wrong, but I would bet 100€ that it’s the group which is often called Freaks/Geeks/Weirdos/Loners/Otakus.

Their characteristics: limited social skills, affinity for PCs and being sexually inexperienced. I don’t mean this deprecatory in any way, I count myself to this group and virginity is nothing to be ashamed of compared to all the suffering caused by having sex too early and unprepared.

 

Back to topic, it may surprise you, but I strongly believe that the erotic aspect is not the most important one when it comes to Lolis, instead Lolicon is driven by an almost innocent, naïve sense of romance (yep, you read that right).

 

I often perceive the modern Western world as a corrupt, greedy place of decay: everything is fake; plastic only designed to rip money out of you. True feelings are gone, instead we got superficial relationships, fucks without love. Nobody cares anymore, aggressive gangs beat seniors and homeless to death, but we just shrug our shoulders while the anchorman in the TV switches from murder and war to sport, celebrity gossip and advertisements.

Standing inside this maelstrom of madness many have escaped to the realms of their fantasy.

This is where Lolicon comes into the picture.

 

It may sound crazy, but Lolis are our ideal, imaginary first girlfriends. Pure, innocent girls, free of filth and corruption, like little kitten stranded in the merciless wilds.

We reach out to protect them, to save them from the dangers of humanity (psychological concepts: Moe and White Knighting).

Whether they have childish personalities or belong to the common archetypes (Tsundere…) doesn’t matter, their child-like shortness is a strong symbol of purity, easily understandable all over the world.

 

In its core Lolicon is not about sexual attraction to little girls, but the search for pure, uncorrupted love and affirmation, something we only expect to find with young girls, which are equally unsure of themselves and inexperienced as many Otakus are.

 

Sure, like every form of escapism this is only a delusion, a temporary relief from reality, but as long as fiction gives us positive impacts and we don’t lose our sense for the real live I can’t find anything wrong with that.

This is highly subjective, but for me Lolicon has nothing to do with child porn. Instead it is the unrealistic, but understandable strive for pure love, something that seems to got lost on the way of humanity.

 

So whenever you, my fellow Loli fans, hear someone comparing us to pedophiles and child abusers feel free to ignore those ignorant bastards and enjoy your daily dose of Loli-Loli with Ero-Ero.

 

-----------------------

 

This was a very long post and surely some of you disagree with me. I thank you for reading it and would be very glad if you write me some comments of what you think of my text and this topic in general.

 

Best wishes, your

Cross

 

 

Ps: My favorite Loli of all times is Ilyasviel von Einzbern (Fate/Stay Night). She’s a homicidal maniac, but ultra-kawaii and moe at the same time! (Mikan from Wanko to Kurasou comes 2nd)

 

Ps 2: Last week I wrote about how I came to like Visual Novels. If you want to read it, here's the link:

https://erogegames.com/eroge-visual-novels/eroge-general-talk/857-why-i-read-visual-novels/

Edited February 21, 2014 by Cross
Tokio->Tokyo;typos

[OneManArmy 82]

Dammit, I'm reading a lot of such threads these days. First of all, thumbs up for your wall of text. It's not a stupid rage comment, you really tried to explain your opinion. As for the topic itself, I'm not really a fan of lolis because I find them too childish-annoying. But seriously, what's the problem with lolis? I mean it's just a character which lives in your imagination. If they're saying that playing/reading stuff feat lolis makes you a pedo then I can say the same about ego shooters, playing them will make you a murderer.

 

So yeah, I wouldn't say that lolis and pedophilia doesn't have anything to do with each other but liking lolis is usually just, like you already said, prefering younger girls. And nothing's wrong with that.

[Alien 10]

In 2010 a bill was proposed in Tokio, which would prohibit every “harmful manga” (referring to Loli).

This incident is known as the “Tokio Loli Ban” and fortunately it was rejected later, but the whole affair shows that Japan seems to be negatively influenced by the Western politics, which rejects to even consider Lolicon as art.

 

http://i.somethingawful.com/forumsystem/emoticons/emot-allears.gif Tell me more about Japanese culture without being able to spell the name of their capital correctly.

 

It' child porn. You have to be pretty fucked in the head to get off on it. Like, jacking off to children is pretty much the definition of pedophilia. Get help.

[Avenger 11]

Oh that subject, what's wrong with pedophilia? It doesn't hurt anyone.

[OneManArmy 82]

Oh that subject, what's wrong with pedophilia? It doesn't hurt anyone.

As long as it doesn't end in rape. And there are lot of young girls who WANT to have an older lover, just sayin.

[Dubs 13]

Oh that subject, what's wrong with pedophilia? It doesn't hurt anyone.

 

http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/006/515/jesus-facepalm-facepalm-jesus-epic-demotivational-poster-1218659828.jpg

 

Just.. No.

 

It' child porn. You have to be pretty fucked in the head to get off on it. Like, jacking off to children is pretty much the definition of pedophilia. Get help.

 

Although I'll admit there is nothing wrong with Lolis nor is there any problem if you get off on it, Every man to his own, People get off on things like Scat and Feet don't they? Every person has their own tastes and saying that people who like Lolicon are instantly grouped as pedophiles or "Need Help" makes you the biggest moron on the face of this planet, In fact I suggest that YOU get help for that totally one sided view on the subject.

 

It's simply you insulting someone that has different tastes or beliefs, If you look back on history then you'll know that nothing good comes from that.

Edited July 14, 2012 by Dubs

[Avenger 11]

-huge ass image-

 

Just.. No.

 

 

 

Although I'll admit there is nothing wrong with Lolis nor is there any problem if you get off on it, Every man to his own, People get off on things like Scat and Feet don't they? Every person has their own tastes and saying that people who like Lolicon are instantly grouped as pedophiles or "Need Help" makes you the biggest moron on the face of this planet, In fact I suggest that YOU get help for that totally one sided view on the subject.

 

It's simply you insulting someone that has different tastes or beliefs, If you look back on history then you'll know that nothing good comes from that.

 

Whut...? Did you mean to quote somebody else?

[Kamidori 10]

i bow to u , u truly understand the heart of innocent dudes who love lolis

 

but the thing is i've already lost me sense of reality for real girls

 

3DPD

Edited July 14, 2012 by Kamidori

[Cross 12]

http://i.somethingawful.com/forumsystem/emoticons/emot-allears.gif Tell me more about Japanese culture without being able to spell the name of their capital correctly.

 

It' child porn. You have to be pretty fucked in the head to get off on it. Like, jacking off to children is pretty much the definition of pedophilia. Get help.

 

In German it's written Tokio (Tokio (Stadt)), but it's Tokyo in English. Both is just a romanization, so who cares.

 

BTW did you really read my post? It's NOT about fucking children, it's an unrealistic, but basically innocent ideal of girls. When you look at Anime and VNs nearly all girls could be considered underage (I'm looking at you, KEY!). I guess you still enjoy it (otherwise you wouldn't be here), does this make you and us child abusers?

 

You know what really is pedo? Child beauty pageants; real little girls dancing and singing in miniskirts. That stuff is wrong.

 

Art must be free, otherwise it's worthless propaganda.

 

Keep reaching for the Lolis, my friends^^.

[OneManArmy 82]

Dammit, I'm reading a lot of such threads these days.

...and most of them end in a stupid war.

 

Each their own, I don't care. ┐(￣ー￣)┌

[Cross 12]

...and most of them end in a stupid war.

 

Nah, I appreciate every contribution to the discussion, whether its approval or not.

I can perfectly understand when you despise Lolicon. I just wanted to write about stuff I enjoy and that moves me.

Sharing the compassion you feel when you spend time with things you love is always great.

[zerut 10]

I enjoyed the read, and to get other peoples opinions. I'd consider myself a loli-fan, but I understand that its a very volatile topic. Some people are pretty fiercely against loli, and then there are loli fans. So I think its good to see another sides opinion as long as it doesnt devolve into random flaming.

[Haika 12]

Whenever I hear a story about someone getting arrested for 'importing child porn' or 'owning child abuse materials' or whatever and people try to make it out to be manga and loli media, I cannot help but think we only get a part of the story being embellished by news media to get more of a reaction. All the more so as most of these stories are on the internet now.

 

The whole loli thing reminds me of a part of the novel Clan of the Cave Bear. The Cavemen in that story had a period of 'dangerous attraction' when a young girl had just become old enough to start showing signs of being a woman, and how that effects the males of the group. I find this very typical, as just something in human nature. Young girls from ages 13-17 are extremely attractive, and I can see the allure, even if these are the so called 'Jailbait'. Would I ever act on such feelings? Doubtful, because I have lived in an american culture, and would feel quite sleazy and wrong doing so. Looking at drawn media however is a totally different thing to me.

 

There is a point where you have to draw the line, yes. And at the same time, we are looking at fantasy images, as compared to real life photos or creating some sort of actual abuse. I usually say that I'm not a Lolicon, I tend to prefer girls with more bust, both in and out of media. However, I can see the appeal to some, and have enjoyed playing through routes of several loli's. Compared to child porn, these images hurt no one, and should be perfectly fine in private. The issue comes if the reader is in politics, is a teacher or something else that might cause people to worry. For a hermit otaku like myself, looking at manga alone in my room hurts no one, and concerns no one but myself.

 

However, the american cultural taboo on things seems like we are going the wrong way because of some extremists. Law enforcement and Crime investigations are getting more precise, and the sheer amount of people has increased so we are finding more of the extreme sickos and with our news coverage wanting the most shocking stories to impact their ratings. These shock stories are the ones who get the most coverage, and thus people begin to become paranoid and go overboard over anything remotely similar.

 

The general masses, especially those in politics, seem to have a punish anyone who is different than you ideal, and with child abuse being such a huge taboo in our culture extreme punishments for light offenses just keep happening. I don't see it getting better any time soon. At the same time, while the manga industry and other otaku media are making money from their creations, I don't see the prudes winning either. Money goes a long way into proving your point these days.

[Caelistas 12]

Surprisingly i've read it completely... interesting read... although nothing really new here though.

 

Not a problem for me anyways since i'm not a lolicon. I want my eroge girls to look at least +14/15 years old, not 8. But hey everyone has their own tastes don't they.

 

As long as everyone agrees that real life child porn/rape/abuse is totally wrong and disgusting we can all be friends

[Dubs 13]

As long as everyone agrees that real life child porn/rape/abuse is totally wrong and disgusting we can all be friends

 

If it's drawn stuff like Eroge then I'm totally fine with it as it's just another Category, But I can't imagine real Loli pornography as that would be pretty disgusting.

 

An Acceptable Drawn Loli that a lot of people would know about :

 

http://i.imgur.com/pY4UY.jpg

 

 

A Loli which is dirtier:

 

http://www.1zoom.net/big2/67/151495-aleni.jpg

 

 

Both are acceptable, The second only because she makes me laugh but they're drawn, Real life stuff is more disturbing..

[Cross 12]

I don't see it getting better any time soon.

 

Well, at least the Internet seems to be tolerant (more or less). You know the Pedobear meme?

 

 

As long as people can still make jokes about such a delicate matter, I'm hopefull that censorship movements

have to expect a serious opposition.

[Dan. 11]

I'll just drop some facts here:

• Pedophilia is sexual preference for prepubescent children, approximately ages 0-10
  
• Hebephilia is sexual preference for adolescents in early puberty, approximately ages 11-14
  
• Ephebophilia is sexual preference for adolescents in late puberty, approximately ages 15-19
  

 

All of the terms in this list refer to exclusive or primary interest in that group, as opposed to just an interest in that group.

 

I just wanted to point out that liking high school girls is not the same thing as liking toddlers.

 

EDIT:

In case you were wondering, Teleiophilia is sexual preference for adult women.

 

It seems to me that the vast majority of American men prefer women in the 16-25 age range - this is just my own observation based on what I've seen in real life as well as television/other media.

Edited July 15, 2012 by Dan.

[OneManArmy 82]

All of the terms in this list refer to exclusive or primary interest in that group, as opposed to just an interest in that group.

Yep, that's the point.

[Dan. 11]

Yep, that's the point.

 

I'm not really sure what you mean, but what I was trying to say is that a pedophile is someone who only likes little kids, not someone who likes little kids, and teenagers, and 20 yr olds and mature women, and 90 yr old grandmas. I guess that would be an omniphile?

[OneManArmy 82]

I'm not really sure what you mean, but what I was trying to say is that a pedophile is someone who only likes little kids, not someone who likes little kids, and teenagers, and 20 yr olds and mature women, and 90 yr old grandmas. I guess that would be an omniphile?

Wooops. Well my mistake. Thought you wanted to say that it's only an interest and nothing like intentions to rape etc. Whatever, I expect this thread to be a never ending story. And another question. If I prefer girls which have the same age like me, what the hell am I then? I mean if I'm 14 then I'd also prefer girls from 13-15, is that also called hebephilia?

[Dan. 11]

Wooops. Well my mistake. Thought you wanted to say that it's only an interest and nothing like intentions to rape etc. Whatever, I expect this thread to be a never ending story. And another question. If I prefer girls which have the same age like me, what the hell am I then? I mean if I'm 14 then I'd also prefer girls from 13-15, is that also called hebephilia?

 

Yeah, that's true too -> pedophile ≠ child rapist, just sexually attracted to children (but can also be a child rapist)

 

Pedophilia applies to people who are 16 or older. The other terms are probably similar.

Edited July 15, 2012 by Dan.

[Maxar 13]

Back to topic, it may surprise you, but I strongly believe that the erotic aspect is not the most important one when it comes to Lolis, instead Lolicon is driven by an almost innocent, naïve sense of romance (yep, you read that right).

 

I totally agree with you here.

 

And yeah, one thing I don't understand is, usually (at least that's how I see it) people get shunned for looking at Anime/Manga pictures and get labeled as people who don't have an interest in real girls and stuff..

But yeah, as soon as they know the pictures he looks at are loli pictures, they think he is going to rape the next children he finds alone on the street or something.

Kinda weird , if you ask me.

Edited August 4, 2018 by Maxar

[OneManArmy 82]

Yeah, that's true too -> pedophile ≠ child rapist, just sexually attracted to children (but can also be a child rapist)

 

Pedophilia applies to people who are 16 or older. The other terms are probably similar.

Ah I see, thx for your answer.

[ultimecea 22]

damn lolicons....

no offence but im kinda hate pure lolicons...if you guys get what i mean...

i mean they are those who think lolis are the best thing in the world and will do anything for it..

sorry if i make you guys angry or shit..

i dont hate loli..but i love them

just..its creeps me out when those lolicons cant see anything but loli >.>

in the end..this will turn them into a pedo..and leads to child abuse~~~~~~~~~

[zerut 10]

Ultima, I see where youre coming from when you talk about "pure lolicons". But I think that's a small minority, and an overly obsessed minority is bound to be there no matter what the topic is. Is loli one of my preferences? sure, but I also have a thing for glasses girls and knee-socks. Everyone's got preferences, loli just happens to be an extremely volatile one since it can skirt the line of pedophilia, which people are acceptably very opposed to.