In General, Hentai is not Pornography

In General, Hentai is not Pornography

by Forbidden Artelier

There are people who are sexually excited whenever they see animals having sex. Some gets sexually satisfied when they see two cars racing the speedway. So, if explicit expressions of human sex and sexuality are wrong, does this mean we should ban The Animal Channel and ESPN?

Hentai is an exploration of the difference between lust and love in the midst of a Forbidden Affair. Unlike pornography, Hentai materials, in general, have discernable characters, stories, plots, conflicts and genres. How can a person explore lust or love if human sex and sexuality is not discussed visually?

I find it problematic when people look at Hentai as if it is a dirty creation. Do not judge an animation style if you do not know its features as well as its structure in the first place. To simply dismiss it through the basis of superficial observation is counter productive in terms of engaging people in an intelligent discussion regarding the style.

Hentai is a forbidden animation style in this country. To be fair, it is really difficult to tell your parents that you are working in a studio that is producing Hentai as an animation style. Religion, I assume often gets in the way. So if this is the case, we are judging the material in terms of moral questions rather than in terms of creative and technical merits. So, is this fair? Are we living in a religious state? Is this sense of belonging to a moral framework far more important than meaningful creative freedom?

A parochial and simplistic attitude is never a good thing in the development of animation as an industry. It limits the potential of animation teams in coming up with inventive forms of materials as well as technical solutions to budget limitations. If Hentai, as a style, is a potential means for this industry to thrive independently, are we going to use it?

Human sex and sexuality when explained in terms of pumping scenes and blow jobs is an immature way of exploring love and lust. I must admit, there are Hentai materials that exhibit such a problematic characterization but not all are. Furthermore, similar problems also plagued other mainstream styles of animation as well, animation styles that promote women as stupid object of sexual desires. I mean, in any field or style, there are always rotten apples in the axiomatic basket.

In my opinion, Hentai is a unique voice that explores human sex and sexuality. And there is nothing wrong with that. Dismissing it in the basis of pumping scenes and blow jobs is not a function of creative logic and consistency. Let us evaluate the style in terms of its creative and technical merits. I mean, if the story sucks, no pun intended, then it is a terrible material. If the character design does not fit the narrative threads, then it is technically inferior design.

Sad to say, some people in this artificial Philippine Animation Industry are so stuck up as if we are still living during the Oppressive Spanish Catholic Regime. I am not saying that moral tenets are not important. To take such a position is highly erroneous. But when these tenets limit development, then it is up to us to make changes. If we choose to be static, then quit complaining about the industry's inability to genuinely move forward and asserts itself. But if we choose to embrace development, sooner or later we need to examine our priorities and let new ideas and new styles enter our industry.

Two months ago, I saw a studio funded film that showcased the stereotypical teen lifestyle. And there was a scene when two iconic characters of a Children's Educational Show passionately kiss each other. Many people were offended by the kiss. They found it "immoral" because it took away this happy memory from childhood. Do you think such reaction is fair?

The material is made up of several components that operate within a set of parameters that exhibits logic and consistency. Somehow, the material that I previously mentioned failed to set these parameters. Making the kiss a detached action from the narrative threads that the material projects to the audience. What these poor people saw were chains of gimmicks and deodorant commercial highlights. Exploring teen lifestyle in a superficial manner, trademark no less by a highly unsophisticated studio, is comparable to a problematic Hentai that is made up of pumping scenes and blow-jobs. Both creations offend the audience's common sense and alienate them in the process. Thus, both deserve violent reactions.

Respecting the audience is always an industry and market given. To assume wholesale ownership of storytelling as an exclusive skill encapsulated inside a corporate or individual taste is stretching reality too far. Listening to what the audience's want is different from listening to what the audience need. When corporations, industries or individuals forces a want to become a need, producing a creative flop is always a consequence.

The principle of respect rests on the ability for any creative unit to distinguish what the market needs and what the market wants. If sex and sexuality are market needs, then approach these needs appropriately. Do not put it aside and label these needs as immoral wants.

To say that the relationship between market and industry is a "chicken or the egg" argument is highly problematic. Market affects the industry and industry affects the market. Limiting the industry's room to maneuver will also affect the mobility of the market and vise versa. The leadership role, therefore, rest on the law of supply and demand.

But this is a bit tricky. Market analysis is not a magic pill. Supply and demand is a complex relationship that transcends the halls of economic institutions. One must also put into account all levels of human actions and activities. Thus, when I say the leadership role, I am referring to not only the structure but also the people who participate in the whole dynamics... the producers and the consumers.

The consensus of producers and consumers defines the relationship of market and industry. And this consensus, if studied through the lenses of experience and acquired knowledge, is the genesis of a blockbuster material.

The lesson behind the deodorant material is real and relevant. First, a need is different from a want. Second, do not transform a need into a want or vise versa. Third, genre or style is just a tool, it is just part of a material. Fourth, respect the audience's sense and sensibility. And fifth, creativity is not a gift it is a responsibility.

The dialectic of animation is all about creating a forum. A forum that allows people to trade ideas as well as engage in a productive and constructive series of debates. Effectiveness of a forum is defined by its ability to embrace anything that is under the sun. To limit a forum is like limiting the development of a child's cognitive faculties. We end up creating zombies out of animation practioners who do not know how to assert themselves.

There is nothing wrong with animation studios using Hentai as a style. We must not demonized these studios as if they are the cause of human failures. Hitler was already murdering Jews before Hentai emerged as a style in animation. Drawing connections between sex oriented violence and materials that explore sex and sexuality is an absurd exercise.

Needs are values that we demand as essential elements for our existence. Wants are values that we desire as essential elements of our validation. Human sex and sexuality sets us apart from other living things. Thus, sex and sexuality are essential needs that define our existence. If these are human needs, then sex and sexuality are not just human activities but are vital human actions of intimacy and self-perpetuation.

Hentai is not pornography in the general sense. The same holds true for erotic thrillers, erotic dramas and sex comedies. These are styles and genres that tackle specialized and often neglected topics, issues or subjects that human sex and sexuality are concerned with. It does not hurt if there are countless voices within the industry. As long as these voices serve functions that are logical and consistent. After all, when voices become simplistic tool for commercial gimmicks, the audience is compelled to use a deodorant to counter the smell of unscrupulous and immature storytellers.

Mediocre materials, flimsy constructions, naive creative studios, superficial blow-jobs, detached pumping scenes and "story-killers" are not the sole monopoly of a single style or genre. Creative immaturity, in this case, is universal and timeless. Given an equal playing field of stupidity and brilliance, we should have an open mind in embracing other styles and genres. Take note, it is not the genre or style that kills the audience, it is the person who uses the genre or the style. So stop demonizing Hentai and give it a chance. Who knows, Hentai might revolutionize this immature animation industry?

Forbidden Artelier was formed in the familiar and accessible forum of the Yahoo E-Groups. Its members are Hentai Fans, Critics, Writers and probably Animators as well. It seeks to promote Hentai, through underground lecture series and original content workshops, as a genuine animation style in the exploration of human sex and sexuality. Membership is exclusive. If you want to be a member, you need to send a brief letter of introduction and application. The e-mail address is forbidden_artelier@yahoo.com