In Japan you can find X-rated manga in a 7-11, bookstore, or just about anywhere. It seems to be a natural release of sexual frustration for businessmen and teenagers alike. In the US, there are plenty of bookstores that have an "adult only" shelf, but the only one that consists of drawings is Heavy Metal, which is European (and not that great, IMO).
Could the US use an overabundance of H-manga in digest format? There have been localized versions in regular 24-page comic format, but to truly reach the masses the digest seems to work best.
Then again, you'd be dealing with more angry moms than ever at the various topics covered, and readers would have to deal with some censorship in most stories. While the Internet offers a free outlet for hentai images, there are still people who actually buy magazines- gaming magazines over visiting a gaming website, for example.
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Anonymous2005-01-25 3:15
If the masses became aware of H manga, the bible-thumpers would have it outlawed immediately.
In short, no, the US wouldn't. Ignorance is a wonderful thing.
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Anonymous2005-01-25 16:37
I doubt it.
The prevailence of H-manga seems to be a Asian affair. Most cities other than Singapore seem to have H-manga everywhere books, newspaper are sold.
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Anonymous2005-01-25 17:17
Can you imagine how many parents would accidentally but them for their kids because they mistook it for any other non-H comic? I think porn in drawing form would blow their minds.
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claycorn2005-01-25 21:18
there is eros and they are great with bodage faries
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claycorn2005-01-25 21:19
bondage faries
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Anonymous2005-01-25 21:55
I was really surprised that they've started to sell 18+ only yaoi manga at bookstores. They're wrapped in plastic, but still put out on the shelf with other titles, which surprised me. I think Suncoast is the only store which doesn't put 18+ anime or manga out on the shelf, you have to ask for it. Otherwise it's all mixed in. But as far as 18+ manga, it has started to come out in USA bookstores.
I seriously doubt we'll ever see hentai evolve past it's current place in the "comic book pecking order". The funny thing is that in spite of the explostion of popularity for "mainstream" manga I think that H-titles have actually taken a downturn in popularity.
To the best of my knowledge, Eros Comics output virtually stopped and indy H-comics are about as "niche" as you can get. Case in point check out White Lightning Productions and their current financial woes...
Which of course begs the question... How do you LOSE money on a PORNO COMIC!? They practically sell themselves!
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Anonymous2005-01-26 19:25
Like I said, wouldn't the Digest format be better than 20 something pages? That's multiple stories someone can fap to, even if a couple are dissapointing, the reader can remember the ones they like rather than be dissapointed by one single comic.
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Anonymous2005-01-26 20:57
>How do you LOSE money on a PORNO COMIC!? They practically sell themselves!
I can imagine it possible if they drove up costs with high-quality printing. That, and their paypal account got closed(sound familiar?).
Slipshine seems to be doing ok. No "omg we're broke" announcements on the front page at least.
>Like I said, wouldn't the Digest format be better than 20 something pages?
I agree. Even regular porn mags at about the same price have a heck of a lot more than 20 measly pages.
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Anonymous2005-02-27 23:43
Not at all. Then again, it wouldn't hurt
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K_x_uksami2005-03-03 18:18
H-manga is what you use as a self-defense weapon when you're accused of violating the patriot act. I don't believe most Americans can withstand it.
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Anonymous2005-03-05 4:18
If the FBI comes after you, throw some h-manga their way and watch as they freak out. Maybe even loli or guro so they freak out even more.
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Anonymous2005-03-22 9:01 (sage)
The US would greatly benefit, finally more Otakus!
its what the world needs
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Frostbite2005-12-08 10:54
I dunno about the US, but I know I would benefit from it, haha.
I want h-manga in the US. I want it so bad I can feel it. And feel it I do.
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Anonymous2005-12-21 4:00
FUK NAW
how would americans benefit? Would they go buy some h-manga instead of raping each other? Please. There's already enough porn out there and no it doesn't affect anything. RAPISTS PROLIFERATE IN SPOKANE, WA. STAY AWAY FROM THAT PLACE.
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anon2005-12-27 13:28
I doubt that the majority of americans would buy H-manga.
I think it would casue a too great a stir with many of the people who are more "conservative" and such... too much arguing over weather little jimmys eyes are gojign to fall out and how their children should not be exposed to such filth...etc etc..
But after all the fighting is done with Yeah it might be benifical as long as they keep the right types of H-manga stocked.
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Anonymous2005-12-30 23:54
It isn't very easy to say if H-manga would benefit the US. The material may be seen as too violent or perverse (loli and guro) and people will think that sexually related crimes will increase. Of course, that matter may be counter intuitive since Japan- noted for the most violent pornography in the world- has one of the lowest sex-related crime rates in the world.
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Anonymous2006-01-02 3:09
I think it could work if people thought about it like there was a list of immoral things, with rape at the top and books at the bottom
Rape
Consensual sex
Mast. W/ Porn
Porn W/O Mast.
Mast. W/O Porn
Hentai
Book
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Anonymous2006-02-04 3:57
H manga is common in European countries like France, Germany.
don't think we have the culture for it though.
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Anonymous2006-02-04 19:57
i loves my h manga
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Anonymous2006-02-07 16:42
Most places that stock a good porn section have smut comix from around the world.
Most convience stores that have porn only have a small mag and video rack that clearly comes in packs for retailers. Not enough space for it to be profitable over an established smut flavor.
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Anonymous2006-02-08 22:13
I don't want the wiggers down the street to find the holy grail of Hentai.