Comical Censorship in Anime: Random Objects, Black Bars, and More

Anime, a beloved form of animation, often faces censorship due to cultural standards, broadcast regulations, or the desire to make content suitable for a broader audience. While this censorship can sometimes lead to unintended comedic moments, making certain scenes more absurd than appealing, it can also enhance the viewer's experience with unexpected humor. Here are some notable examples of comical censorship in anime, highlighting how creative and hilarious these modifications can be.

Replaced Underwear and Pixelation

One common form of censorship involves characters who are shown in suggestive situations or with their underwear. Instead of showing these scenes in a typical manner, anime producers often replace these images with random objects or pixelation, such as a giant chicken or a black bar. This approach not only conceals potential nudity but also transforms the scenes into absurd and humorous moments. For instance, in certain anime series, a scene that would traditionally be suggestive is instead replaced with an absurd object, turning the scene into a source of humor rather than desire.

Altered Transformations and Scenes

In some anime adaptations, certain transformations and scenes are altered or cut to fit broadcast standards. For example, in the case of the manga and anime series Sailor Moon, the English dub version downplayed the romantic relationship between Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus. This led to some awkward dialogue changes and made the scenes less intense and more comical. While the changes were made with the intention of maintaining family-friendly viewing, they often result in humorously unintentional moments due to the awkward phrasing and context.

Heavy Censorship in Specific Anime

One notable example of heavy censorship is seen in the anime series Asthma. This anime is primarily known for its fan service, but it has also been heavily censored in various broadcasts. In some cases, scenes that originally showed nudity are replaced with black bars, light flares, or the characters holding random items in front of them. This unintentional comedic effect often results in a laughable situation, where the viewer can hardly believe the extent of the censorship.

Reduced Violence and Nudity

Certain graphic scenes of violence and nudity in anime have been toned down or altered to suit broadcast requirements. In the anime series Naruto, for example, a particularly graphic moment sees a character's head being replaced with a giant flower. This edit unintentionally adds a layer of absurdity to the violent scene, turning what could have been a harrowing moment into a comedic one. Similarly, in the series Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai, violent scenes are often edited to obscure the blood with colorful splashes or CGI effects, creating a more humorous and less horrifying experience for viewers.

International Versions and Edits

International versions of anime often undergo extensive editing to adapt to specific cultural standards. In these versions, certain violent scenes are edited or altered in ways that can come off as more humorous than horrifying. For instance, when characters are decapitated, the blood is often replaced with colorful splashes or obscured by CGI effects. These modifications can turn what would be a genuinely frightening scene into something that borders on the ridiculous, leading to unintentional laughs from the audience.

Additional Examples: Intentional Comedic Moments

It's worth noting that censorship doesn't always result in unintentional comedy. Sometimes, creators deliberately include humorous elements as part of the show's style. In the case of Umamusume: Pretty Horse Derby, the main character, Special Week, often gains weight after a race due to eating a lot. During a conversation with her trainer, she mentions that she has gained several kilograms. The use of the word 'censored' in this context, likely referring to something sensitive, adds an extra layer of humor and intrigue to the scenario, making it a memorable and funny moment in the show.

These examples illustrate how censorship can sometimes lead to unintended comedic moments in anime, often making the content more memorable for viewers. While the intention behind such edits is usually to protect the show's audience, the end results can often be surprisingly humorous and enjoyable, enhancing the overall viewing experience with surprising and delightful twists.