Is Manga suitable for my 12 year old daughter?

mmarks

As the title says really. My daughter is 12 and talks about nothing but Manga. She spends all her money on Manga books from amazon, buys Manga DVDs, draws Manga characters etc.

My concerns are over the content and suitability of this. Whilst I originally thought Manga was like a cartoon and I had no issues with it, I have now found that there is such a thing as Manga porn (really????)

So, do I need to check all the Manga books, DVDs and web site my daughter goes on?

Karl Hungus

You probably don't need to worry at all.

What you can do is have a look at the age ratings on the DVDs she currently owns, and if there's anything that's 15 or 18 rated, give us the names of them. We can tell you if there's anything dodgy there.

I think the very worst you might have to worry about is there being some violent content or swearing that might be unsuitable for a 12 year old.

ztoical

Karl Hungus wrote: »

You probably don't need to worry at all.

What you can do is have a look at the age ratings on the DVDs she currently owns, and if there's anything that's 15 or 18 rated, give us the names of them. We can tell you if there's anything dodgy there.

I think the very worst you might have to worry about is there being some violent content or swearing that might be unsuitable for a 12 year old.

+ 1 Most Japanese comics and animation is clearly marked and divided into both age group and gender categories. With dvd boxes you should be able to see the age classification just like with any other dvd. With books it's usually easy enough to see on the spine or the back what age group it's aimed at/suitable for. It's not different to kids being into video games or films, there is stuff that is suitable and stuff that isn't but it shouldn't take a massive amount of effort to see if what she's buying/reading/watching is suitable or not.

gearoidof

For any medium, there's a porn variety of it.

It's usually quite obvious, so as with everything your kids do, keep an eye, but also keep an open mind

Saruman

Pokemon is manga is it not?
If not Manga itself then at least it is Anime.

Nody

mmarks wrote: »

I have now found that there is such a thing as Manga porn (really????)

It is called Hentai usually but like anything else (be it RL or cartoon based) it is just that, porn. The great majority of material that she would be after should be perfectly fine (think Pokemon, Sailor Moon etc.) but as noted above look for the age rating and that will tell you.

Having a interest in Manga is nothing harmful in itself, it is simply a specific art style and nothing more. If she was interested in football you would not worry about porn movies made ala football players and the same is true for manga.

ztoical

Saruman wrote: »

Pokemon is manga is it not?
If not Manga itself then at least it is Anime.

Pokemon is technically a "media franchise" as it covers a huge selection of products but it started life as a video game series on which they based a television series and several movies. There are Pokemon comics but they've never taken off to the same extent as the video games or the tv show.

Varik

This is the same as asking are novels suitable for your daughter, post any names and i'm sure someone will say and from that people can easily recommend similar and appropriate ones.

Coeurdepirate

The programs Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, Dragonball, Digimon etc. are all anime shows (mangas adapted for tv) and I'm sure she's watched at least one of those. Most mangas/animes are absolutely fine. And regarding the hentai (anime porn), there are also porn versions of American tv shows such as the Simpsons, afaik.
Don't worry about her reading manga, it's completely normal.

Not The Real Scarecrow

Agree with all of the above posts, I'd just watch out for her watching anything over 18s as some of that can be rough for a 12 year old.I think alot of the younger manga and anime stuff is aimed at little girls so wouldn't think there's anything unusual with her being into it, it just means that your daughter is probably more cultured and intelligent than the average kid.
However, if ya find a copy of Legend of the Overfiend in her collection, I'd start to worry.

Lemegeton

mmarks wrote: »

So, do I need to check all the Manga books, DVDs and web site my daughter goes on?

anime and manga just like any medium has adult content so yes you should double check what they are reading/viewing. you can start by checking their room when they are at school and looking at the age ratings as other posters mentioned. if she using a house pc/laptop to go online its easy to setup filters and logs so you know what she is looking at. if she has her own personal laptop then most broadband routers will allow you to keep a log of what websites are being visited.

Meatwad wrote: »

However, if ya find a copy of Legend of the Overfiend in her collection, I'd start to worry.

that garbage aint suitable for any age group, lol.

ztoical

Lemegeton wrote: »

you can start by checking their room when they are at school and looking at the age ratings as other posters mentioned.

OP if she's 12 she's old enough for you to just ask to see what she's reading rather then snooping through her room, she's reading comics not doing drugs. It's also a good way to show an interest in something that your child is into. If she'd taken up a sport you'd come along and cheer her at meets so how is this any different? My mother god love her hasn't a clue what I'm about half the time but she's supported me since I started reading comics and drawing at 10 and now that I'm working as an animator and cartoonist she's still supports me coming to screenings and shows. I meet loads of parents at comics shows who've come along with their young kids because it's something the kids are fans of. You might never get as into it as she is but doesn't hurt to show an interest if she's as devoted as you say.

K.O.Kiki

TBH I'd be more worried if her internet history showed she was writing yaoi fanfics

And yes, I'm leaving you to Google that (if you dare!)

Let the kids have some privacy.
Sure I learned about porn at age 11 and I'm not some crazy sexual deviant.
I just act like one

laurashambles

K.O.Kiki wrote: »

TBH I'd be more worried if her internet history showed she was writing yaoi fanfics

And yes, I'm leaving you to Google that (if you dare!)

Let the kids have some privacy.
Sure I learned about porn at age 11 and I'm not some crazy sexual deviant.
I just act like one

This is the biggest thing that would concern me tbh. Not necessarily just yaoi, (romance - and sometimes... other things:p - between boys) a lot of it is pretty harmless, but just internet fandom in general can be kind of unsuitable for young kids. I mean, if she's just watching Anime music videos on youtube or just reading fanfics without really getting involved (as in, writing them herself or befriending other people who do) I wouldn't be too worried. As someone who used to be into the whole fanfic thing, I have seen some nutters in my time. I mean, most of these people are perfectly decent human beings, but there is a much higher ratio of creep than I would be comfortable with.

As for the comics and shows she's into, ask her what she's watching/reading and do a bit of sleuthing online. Odds are, she's not into anything wildly unsuitable. Most of the super violent, sexualized titles wouldn't appeal to a 12 year old girl. She's probably watching stuff from the Shonen or Shojo genres which are intended for kids and most of which wouldn't have anything objectionable in them.

Lemegeton

ztoical wrote: »

OP if she's 12 she's old enough for you to just ask to see what she's reading rather then snooping through her room, she's reading comics not doing drugs. It's also a good way to show an interest in something that your child is into. If she'd taken up a sport you'd come along and cheer her at meets so how is this any different? My mother god love her hasn't a clue what I'm about half the time but she's supported me since I started reading comics and drawing at 10 and now that I'm working as an animator and cartoonist she's still supports me coming to screenings and shows. I meet loads of parents at comics shows who've come along with their young kids because it's something the kids are fans of. You might never get as into it as she is but doesn't hurt to show an interest if she's as devoted as you say.

i didnt mean you HAD to go snooping around. you can ask the kid straight out if you trust them enough. and it depends on the maturity of the child in question too

Thomas-G

If she's reading suspect materials, your daughter may be a loli, in which case this is the worse place you could have asked for advice :P

Worrying about manga because manga-porn exists is like worrying about a child watching T.V. and owning a video camera, because real porn exists. It isn't anything to worry about.

There are different genres of anime and manga, just as with any media.

OniKen

Anime and manga is the same as regular film and comics. Just treat it the same as you would those.

Morag

mmarks wrote: »

So, do I need to check all the Manga books, DVDs and web site my daughter goes on?

yes.

Funky

mmarks wrote: »

So, do I need to check all the Manga books, DVDs and web site my daughter goes on?

no.

Laisurg

Just check the age ratings, i doubt she'd want to read or watch any anime or manga thats 18+.

ami1989

I think your question is far too vague. It's exactly like asking us if books or movies are suitable. Most manga has the age it's suitable for on the back just like dvds do. Just ask you daughter what she is reading and take more of an interest in it. Though to be honest I've been reading 18+ manga since I was 10 and the same with dvds. It's never bothered me :P

Vojera

Na, I don't think you need to worry. As advised, why don't you talk to her about it? Ask what her favourite series' are and what they're about. She'll probably be happy to tell you and delighted that you're interested.

As far as I can tell, a lot of the more "porn" ones are never officially translated into English, and so they're never available to buy in the shops here or from online stores like Amazon or Book Depository. They are available to read online if you look, but so are a lot of things. (I would be an advocate of parents checking out anything their child does on the internet, whether the kid is into manga or sparkly shoes, but more for their own protection than anything I think they would be looking up). Some of the ones aimed at an older audience might have the odd boob, but that's probably not what she's reading and watching.

If you've concerns about any of the titles, why not post them here and we can tell you the gist of them.

carter2

Yes it is all good to see..There is nothing to worry about:)
These series are generally meant for kids to entertain them so no worry:D