Texas Senate Bill 20 (SB 20), introduced by Texas State Senator Pete Flores, has raised significant concern within the anime and manga communities. The bill aims to criminalize the possession, promotion, and viewing of any obscene visual material depicting minors, including animated content such as anime. If passed, the bill could lead to widespread censorship and even potential bans on several popular anime series.
The bill targets any material that depicts minors engaging in activities defined under Section 43.21(a)(1)(B) of the Texas Penal Code, which refers to sexual acts. What makes this proposal particularly concerning is that it explicitly includes “cartoons or animation” and imagery created using artificial intelligence or other software. This broad wording raises the possibility that even well-known and widely accepted anime could be subject to legal scrutiny.
The Risk to Popular Anime
While the bill appears to target explicit or pornographic content, its vague language creates uncertainty about how it might be enforced. Anime often features characters who are minors in suggestive or comedic situations that could be interpreted as obscene under the new law.
For example, Dragon Ball features a long-running gag where Master Roshi makes inappropriate comments toward a young Bulma. Similarly, Naruto includes the Sexy Jutsu, a transformation technique that allows Naruto to turn into a naked woman, played for comedic effect. Even Bleach and Gurren Lagann contain scenes that could be seen as suggestive or inappropriate when viewed through the lens of SB 20’s definitions.
The law states that works with “literary or artistic value” would be exempt from prosecution, but this would ultimately be left to the discretion of individual judges. That creates a subjective standard where one judge may see a scene from Dragon Ball as harmless comedic material, while another may classify it as obscene and illegal.
Potential for Misuse and Broader Censorship
The broad nature of SB 20 raises serious concerns about how it could be weaponized beyond its stated purpose. While the bill is ostensibly aimed at protecting minors and curbing AI-generated illicit content, it could also be used to target LGBTQ+ representation or stories involving sensitive themes.
Recent cases of manga and book bans across the U.S. have already shown how quickly works with minor controversial content can be censored. For instance, Unico: Awakening was targeted despite lacking explicit material, highlighting how easily content can be removed under pressure from conservative groups. SB 20’s vague language could provide legal grounds for similar action against anime and manga in Texas.
The bill also raises the possibility that streaming platforms and retailers could preemptively remove or restrict access to anime deemed risky under Texas law. This could lead to significant gaps in anime availability for Texas-based fans and businesses, impacting not only the audience but also the industry’s financial health.
What This Means for the Future of Anime in Texas
The passage of SB 20 would place Texas at the forefront of content regulation for anime and manga. While it’s unlikely that major franchises like Dragon Ball or Naruto would face outright bans, the potential for selective enforcement and subjective interpretation creates significant uncertainty.
Moreover, smaller or less commercially successful series could face greater risk of censorship or removal. Distributors and platforms may err on the side of caution, leading to reduced availability of anime and manga content in Texas.
The bill’s potential impact extends beyond anime to include comics, video games, and even fan art. Its vague definitions of obscenity and artistic value make it a potential tool for broad censorship, raising alarms within the creative community.
