Russia Bans Several Isekai Anime Series To Protect Children From Themes Of Reincarnation, Including KonoSuba and That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime

Source: KONOSUBA -God's blessing on this wonderful world!- Legend of Crimson

Fearing that their consumption would promote the idea that a reincarnated life would be a better alternative to one’s current life, a Russian court has ordered a ban of several isekai anime from the country, including such popular series as KonoSuba and That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime.

Source: That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime OAD Episode 1 “Extra: HEY! Butts!” (2019), Eight Bit

Related: Russia Bans Several Anime Titles, Including Death Note and Tokyo Ghoul

According to the machine translation of an April 26th post published to the official Telegram account of the Courts of St. Petersburg, the ban was issued by the Krasnogvardeisky District Court of St. Petersburg, who found that the now-banned series were “capable of causing harm to the mental health and development of children and adolescents.”

“The court concluded, for example, that the animated series [KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on this Wonderful World!] promotes the theory of rebirth, showing that after death, a more interesting, diverse and uncontrolled life from parents is possible,” explained the Courts of St. Petersburg in their Telegram post. 

Source: Nekopara Episode 1 “Welcome to La Soleil!” (2020), Felix Film

Related: Australia Bans Import of Hentai And Other Adult Anime Products from Japan!

They continued, “The world after death is positioned as brighter and more adventurous with the possibility of leading a riotous lifestyle, drinking alcohol, sexual relations, illegal actions, while the real world seems bleak and full of loneliness.”

In addition to the aforementioned titles, the court also banned Nekopara, Princess Lover, and Zombie Land Saga from the Russian Federation.

Source: Zombieland Saga Episode 8 “Go Go Neverland SAGA” (2018), MAPPA

Related: Ohio Lawmakers Claim Kent State’s Use Of Anime History Book Promotes “Sexual Violence”

Russia’s latest ban comes just a few short months after the country’s last and is justified under the same auspices of ‘protecting the children.’

In late January of this year, Russia banned Death Note, Tokyo Ghoul, and Inuyashiki over fears that teenagers would emulate the ‘violent’ content featured in each respective series.

Source: Princess Lover! Episode 9 “Red and Blue” (2009), GoHands

Related: South Korea Supreme Court Rules That Sexually Explicit Anime and Manga Images of Teenagers Are Images of Child Sexual Abuse

At the time, state prosecutors also requested that the St. Petersburg court system ban Naruto, Elfen Lied, and Interspecies Reviewers for similar reasons. 

However, as of writing, it does not appear as if the courts have made a decision regarding this request.

Source: KONOSUBA -God’s blessing on this wonderful world!- Legend of Crimson

What do you make of Russia’s latest wave of anime bans? Let us know your thoughts on social media or in the comments down below!

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