Russia Censors World’s Biggest Anime Site Over LGBTQ+ Content

MyAnimeList blocked by Roskomnadzor, citing ‘extremist’ materials on non-traditional relationships.

Russia Bans MyAnimeList

Russian authorities have blocked the global anime and manga platform MyAnimeList. State media reported the site was banned over “extremist” LGBTQ+ content on Tuesday. This platform is the world’s largest of its kind.

Censorship by Roskomnadzor

Federal media watchdog Roskomnadzor added MyAnimeList to its national blacklist. This occurred last Wednesday. They did not initially state a formal reason for the action. Russian users now get an error message trying to visit the site.

MyAnimeList is a massive online platform for Japanese comics and animation. It boasts approximately 20 million users worldwide.

Roskomnadzor later explained their decision to the state-run RIA Novosti news agency. They cited the “systematic placement of materials containing information propagating non-traditional sexual relations and/or preference.”

Path to Reversal and Precedents

Roskomnadzor mentioned the ban could be reversed. The Tokyo-based platform must remove the content Russia deems unlawful.

Russia has banned several specific anime titles before. A St. Petersburg court prohibited online distribution in 2021. Titles included “Death Note,” “Tokyo Ghoul,” and “Inuyashiki.” Concerns were raised about teens re-enacting violent cartoon scenes.

The government has long enforced measures against LGBTQ+ expression. This falls under “gay propaganda” laws. These laws first passed in 2013 and have since been expanded. Furthermore, Russia’s Supreme Court made a major ruling in late 2023. It declared the “international LGBT public movement” an “extremist organization.”