Jojo’s Islamic Adventure: Manga Censored Over Nothing?
- Filed under: Anime, News
- Date: Jan 28, 2009 09:13 JST
- Tags: Censorship, Islam, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, OVA, Shueisha
After being accused of blasphemy against Islam for the unpardonable sin of including some Quranic text in the anime, the distribution of long running manga JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure was halted by the publisher, fearing the usual Muslim histrionics.
The Islamically approved revised manga is now finally going back on sale, though we seem not to be seeing anything of the offending anime. However, it looks like there was never any reason to pull it in the first place…
The anime edition (an OVA) does unambiguously include the pages in question, and evidently managed to find its way into the hands of a less than understanding watcher:
This is said to have been an error in selecting “Egyptian looking” text and ending up with some Quranic scripture.
This is certainly an understandable error; a search for images of “Arabic text” with Google largely provides images of Quranic text, and doubtless few can name much in the way of Arabic literature besides this and a few ancient classics, fewer still in Japan.
Still, to use unknown text in this manner is a lapse in judgment for a production not intended to rock the boat, although it seems it took nearly a decade for this to come to light.
It’s not clear if the anime will be redistributed at some point; it seems unlikely to be a priority given the expense of dealing with anime and the low sales such an old title likely enjoys.
However, the manga itself seems to have been pulled, and censored, for nothing; looking at the below panels it seems clear that there was no recognisable text, Arabic or otherwise, ever even in the title:
The manga will be going back on sale in February, with there apparently being several volumes afflicted. The reprint is being branded a “remix” edition, so other changes may be involved.
It is not clear just how they will be revised; possibly the books will simply be replaced by walkie-talkies or similar in order to avoid the possibility of offence to any other book reverers.
Of course, there would be no outcry were this a bible or otherwise, though perhaps a map not showing the “East Sea” with all its rocks the proper colour could garner a similar response…
I’m really offended. :/
are you serious?
I don’t see how you can be offended.
Pretty sure that was sarcasm.
Time for another Crusade I think.
Like the Muslim Fundies need MUCH of an excuse to call for Jihad *rolls eyes furiously*.
It’s a good thing the world wide thought police are always by our sides. I would hate to have to decide for myself what I think is offensive and what isn’t. That would be terrible!
blasphemy? I dont see any of it in there. The manga doesnt show any negative things towards that book, I guess (judging from the pics)
well sure did make me chuckle seeing a buff anime character with crazy hairstyle reading the Koran… haha
Is this some WRYYYYYYY?
OH NO Islamic text! japan realy did it now.
What I want to know, what are orthodox Muslims doing watching JoJo in the first place? Isnt anime banned in most of the Arab peninsula?
It’s not about them not wanting to watch such shows or read such books, it’s about THEM not wanting OTHERS to watch or read something they don’t like for any number of reasons.
Control what people can read and watch and you control the people. Nazi’s proved that 60 years ago. Sadly, everyone has either forgotten that or decided to use it for their own jihad, nationalism, bigoted hatred, or narrow-minded crusade against abused fictional characters.
actually i think it’s getting to be closer to 70 years ago now.
we don’t want al-qaeda to start targeting otakus..
But then the publisher should have check first before it goes to printing..
Al-Qaeda is not exist, its fictional organization made by and nurtured by America government
you should visit zeitgeistmovie.com
n Artefact, I think this site is better without this kind of article
I don’t want this site become debate forum with each comment being replied over n over n make the comment bottomless
Lol, you believe that…
And while you’re at it, watch Loose Change and Prison Planet and all those other shitty conspiracy-nutjob movies that have been cropping up left and right. Oh, and don’t forget to buy their books. They go through massive amounts of tinfoil, so they desperately need the royalties!
One thing you won’t find on this site is leftist conspiracy theory nonsense…
Well, actually I won’t doubt that if US can catch Osama faster
it’s just so strange that after 7 years the military can’t find the “head” of 9/11 incident
and yet they found Saddam relatively quick
too much for joke to me
not all of that kind of movies are shit, maybe there lies some truth. Just try to be more open minded and analyze more. I also don’t believe them 100%. Like Aoi said in Chaos;Head, doubt the world since it’s not perfect ^^
don’t be bombing no JoJo
Im not sure whats funnier this, or the korean gay thing XD
It’s sad that politics can reach our forms of entertainment, this is happening more more in recent days.
….damned Muslims…
fuck you everyones human whether they’re chistian, jew, hindu, sikh etc.
i don’t see anyone going damned christians, so why is saying damned muslims ok.
well i for on am not racist nor hypocrytical or ignorant
I don’t really like humans though
Fuck you.
It’s almost like they’re trying to give the rest of the world a LEGITIMATE reason for invading them…
Wha?
Wanting to censor a manga is a reason enough to invade a nation, kill its people and rape their land?
Look, I think this censoring thing is too much just like others, but your comment is fucked up.
Everybody knows that the Quran is the first fan fiction based on the Bible…
The first work with many fans… or should I say “Fundamentalist fanatics”?
I think that’s only your opinion. Because if that was the case, the Bible would have been the fan-fiction of the Torah, or some other older texts.
You said it, the bible definitely is that, and so on, back to the first religion, whatever the fuck that was
I though the 3rd arc of JoJo (in which the “problematic” Quran is in) was published… what, 15 years ago?
That’ll be some big walkie-talkies!
Couldn’t they just do invisible books instead like most other censors do?
Man.
Muslims, Christians, and Jews pray to the SAME GOD…. who I think is rather pissed they carry out their messages of bigotry and other lapses in judgment in His name.
I think an anime/manga of the world’s religions needs to be done now… lampooning ALL the major ones. They fucking deserve it if they have no sense of humor.
Religion. It’s all about power. Who has it, and who doesn’t but wants it.
Not really, Jesus is a heretic to Judaism if acknowledged at all, He is the Savior of Christianity, and He is a MINOR prophet at best in Islam. Call the Big Man On Top what you will, but in regards to The central character of Christianity itself…indeed He is pissed over how humans act, if you believe what is written in the Bible, such as the Flood of Noah. To quote Karl Marx: “Religion is the opiate of the Masses.” It’s just another way for people of power to exert their power over other people, in a much easier way than all others though. Classic example being the Dark Ages brought about by the Catholic Church.
That would be a nice idea for an anime but…it would run into WAY too much difficulty outside of Japan if I Want to be an Angel anime localization to America is any indication of that. Oh and this with the Quran censorship of such old manga/anime.
Opium is the opiate of the masses
Set in Korea, where all these religions were founded…
Not offended. Seen worst.
seconded
i feel offended.
i think entertainment better stay out of religion, so no one feel offended.
I hope you never read Angel sanctuary ~
Islamists are offended just for watching some choranic shit on TV, but christians can’t say anything when watching so many insulting bullshit all the time on TV and every other media. And anyway we don’t care a fuck, why should we?
Sorry for being so very politically incorrect, but I’m pretty fed up with those cry-babies bas***** (and even more with those who pretend to sugar them the pill).
first of all it’s spelt “quran” and second quranic shit? i don’t see myself saying bible shit, in fact i’ve never seen anyone say bible shit. so why quranic shit?
I say bible shit! And worse!
Well im really amazed that japanese ppl had such an idea to put into Anime/Manga….im mean im arab form jordan and im a muslim aswell…i cant understand why ppl above is falming arabs/muslims abt this….well 1st of alll no Manga/anime is not banned in our countries…2nd arabs/muslims dont go using Jehad to INVADE other countries…3rd why on earth some Jehad group will put there heads in Anime/Manga…dont u think there is way much more going in this world, so dont worry Japan will be fine… hell man i love japan more than my own country…i like watched sh^^ loads of anime read alot of manga…but never saw anything musilm/arab related…maybe hellsing was the only one that got a small Jehad group in it or something…so i guess in da end…ya they shouldnt made such a mistake by putting Quran rather than normal arabic writing…and yes i can confirm thats quran btw…aah thats abt it…and thx for reading/not this :P
Well well..
I hate it when people think they know everything about the world and believe themselves to be reliable judges for everything
Stating your own opinion without insulting others is a basic rule in speaking
To tell that many of you do not know anything: firstly, the writings in the manga, yes its readable in the third picture and I can tell what it says
Secondly, manga and anime are very popular in arab and muslim world, even this site has readers from these parts
Thirdly, Jesus is respected in Islam and is not what you call small..
Fourthly, saying that Quran is fan fiction, did you even read it? we believe in the bible in its original form, therefore, it does not even exist now
I think this site is better without going on politics and religions
At least when anyone writes something, consider the others, even if they are.. Muslims with no feelings!
ty first non ignorant comment.
if only everyone in the world was like you.
QFT!!!!
*sniff* U the man!! Only decent comment in the whole section.
Nice to see someone who thinks first.
I’m sorry for my ignorance. It’s just that all I’ve ever heard of Islam is Muhammad, me being…at best a fallen Christian I can only consider hearing more about a different “prophet of God” over what I consider “the Son of God” to basically demean Christianity’s true Savior.
Agreed.
You make some very reasonable points. However, I think you are mistaken in saying the manga can be read - it certainly does not even look Arabic. Clearly the anime screenshot is the Quran though.
I do think these articles are quite balanced, and perhaps even overly restrained where Islam is concerned compared to the rougher handling you see elsewhere - I know many Muslims are sensitive over this, and a goodly portion of the site’s readers are Muslim too (such as the many S.E. Asians) - sadly, they may not take it in good humour if I mete out the same treatment to them, so I must refrain.
Of course, Islam not (specifically) condemning anime or Japan too much helps too…
They showed Jojo’s ova on Animax? Wow…ORAORAORAORAORA!!!
Also about the book, there over reacting about nothing, these things should be really kept aside.
this is blasphemy!
this is madness!!
This is SPARTA!!!!!!!!
lol
Hopefully they didn’t make same mistake next time.
Nandesuka kore..
Knock, knock, are your head seriously smack by a large bat, OR MUST BE KNOCKED BY RYU’S SHORYUKEN, HUH ARTIFACT?
THIS ARTICLE SHOULD NOT BE APPEARED IN THE FIRST PLACE!! RELIGIOUS MATTER SHOULD NOT BE AN ARTICLE!!
EVEN IT INCLUDES CURIOUSITY ON USING RELIGIOUS VERSES ON ANIME AND MANGA. THIS ARTICLE SHOULD NOT QUESTION ON THIS. THIS ARTICLE SHOULD BE BANNED IMMEDIATELY.. BECAUSE THIS WILL LEAD TO SOMETHING WORST. WE DON’T WANT RELIGIOUS MATTER GET INTO DEBATE.
MAN, THIS ARTICLE IS UNACCEPTABLE.
ARE YOU DID THIS ARTICLE ON PURPOSE, ARTIFACT?
SHAME ON YOU.
All caps? Really? are you honestly trying to be taken seriously with all caps? I really hope this is a fake troll, because otherwise this is pathetic
They started it
I am offended that they do change it … Liberty of expression is nearly disappearing when it comes to Islamic religion …
So has anyone identified the pages in question? I’d be curious to know what the text says, but alas time constraints prevent me from learning enough Arabic to translate it myself.
Considering Islamic culture, I doubt it’ll turn out to be just a strip club promotion as in http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2008/12/hungarian_phrasebook_sketch_co.php after all …
nice calligraphy though
unless someone can read it and confirm its right then i dont really see no problem potrayed. they probably promotin it lol. anywayss we all know ,that people from everywhere love anime manga its just the media .in the muslim case most people underestimate the ideology of two groups
1. peaceful muslims
2. the RADICAL MUSLIMS{FOR THE PEOPLE WHO DONT KNOW THE DIFFERENCE}and chat shit
and if you have even tried to look into the word JIHAD
it has 2 meanings
1.to fight within and overcome difficulties like eg.earning money for da family
2. protecting their land. hope u learnt somethin
If find the Quran to be a piece of offensive fascist trash, can we ban that instead.
Seriously, a freedom is the right to do something within in the law regardless of who it may piss off
I seem to recall there was something like this with the FMA manga, like a cross was changed into a circular stone or something?
This kind of stuff is so fucking stupid, god damn quit being so butthurt. The manga is not making fun of you in any way, or portraying your fantasy book written by a mentally insane dude 1500 years ago in a negative light. Atheists wouldn’t flip their shit if he was reading a book about the big bang theory or evolution. Why do religious people insist on forcing their ideals on everyone else?
The only reason people won’t attack Muslim beliefs is because they don’t want to get bombed. But while I’m here on the internet, I’d like to give a message to you radical Muslims, or any other radical religious person who thinks what happened in this article is justifiable: Fuck you.
Call my comment “offensive” or “politically incorrect”, but it’s the fucking truth, and I’m tired of religious people and minorities taking advantage of those two words.
..is that really the Quran’s text in it?
if yes..then what chapter and what verse? I don’t see any verse in it…