Drawings offer more scope for sexual content and fantasy. From the style of the drawings, these erotic and pornographic scenes are immediately recognisable as Japanese. While the sexualised characters have helped make manga and anime popular around the world, they have also drawn censure and criticism. In this room examples of mainstream ‘sexy’ lust objects are shown alongside hardcore pornographic productions – which are no less popular.
Sexy or sexist?
Manga, anime and games deal with all kinds of subjects, whether real or imaginary. They regularly contain sex and erotic scenes. Female characters in particular are often depicted as objects of lust, much as in commercials, music videos and films in other countries.