Malaysian Censorship of Attack on Titan Manga Draws the Attention of Japanese Fans
The topic of censorship in anime and manga has once again ignited a heated discussion, this time focusing on the popular series Attack on Titan. While censorship in anime is not uncommon, manga has generally been spared from extensive alterations. However, a recent incident involving the Attack on Titan manga has caught the attention of Japanese fans, shedding light on censorship practices in Malaysia.
The controversy began when a Twitter user, @FJ_GGS, posted an image of a panel from the Attack on Titan manga allegedly censored in Malaysia. The panel depicted colossal Titans wearing pants, a departure from the original version. The tweet quickly went viral and got lots of likes and retweets.
マレーシア版の修正が入った進撃単行版面白すぎてずっと笑ってる pic.twitter.com/EIFnUFHISK
— 藤/FJ (@FJ_GGS) May 26, 2023
Japanese fans were both astonished and amused by the level of censorship displayed in the panel. Many expressed confusion over the decision to cover the lower halves of the giant Titans while allowing depictions of massive human slaughter. Some fans humorously questioned the rationale behind clothing Titans who lack anatomical features like genitals, jokingly speculating about the motives of human anatomy model enthusiasts.
Unsurprisingly, the tweet reached Malaysian Attack on Titan fans who, in turn, expressed their discontent over the attention Malaysia was receiving due to this act of censorship. Malaysian fans' reactions ranged from disappointment with their country's newfound fame to lighthearted comments about Japanese fans laughing at the Malaysian version.
Interestingly, although the Malaysian version of the manga had gained attention two years ago, it was only now that Japanese fans became aware of this particular form of censorship. However, the authenticity of the censored image shared on Twitter remains uncertain. While solid evidence linking the image to the Malaysian version of Attack on Titan is lacking, there have been other confirmed instances of censorship in Attack on Titan originating from a Malaysian local magazine.
Sources indicate that a translated version of Attack on Titan was published in a Malaysian magazine called Kreko. Surprisingly, many Malaysian fans were unaware of the existence of this heavily censored version of the manga. Unfortunately, the physical edition of the magazine was discontinued in December 2019, making it impossible to acquire and assess the extent of the alterations.
Attack on Titan, created by Hajime Isayama, is a Japanese manga series that first began publication in September 2009 and concluded in April 2021. Spanning 34 volumes, the manga captivated audiences worldwide with its gripping story and intense visuals. The recent controversy has prompted a broader conversation about the balance between censorship and artistic expression within the realm of manga and anime.