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NEWS: BL Manga Bond of Dreams, Bond of Love Sold in Canada Despite Seizure


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CCharmanderK



Joined: 08 Jul 2009
Posts: 218
PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2013 11:08 pm Reply with quote
The use of the word "seizure" in the title's context made me think that somebody had an epileptic fit while reading it. Anime hyper
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fencer_x



Joined: 28 Jul 2011
Posts: 280
PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2013 11:35 pm Reply with quote
So...wait, is Canada not allowed to import porn of any sort? There's nothing overtly wrong with YMKM--Ao's 18, all the sex is consensual, there's no huge age-gap or other problematic elements...

What are the grounds here? /totally ignorant of Canadian obscenity laws
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VORTIA
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Joined: 26 Jul 2005
Posts: 944
PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2013 11:47 pm Reply with quote
Would it be too much trouble for Canada to get some consistency in what they do and do not consider a crime?
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dormcat
Encyclopedia Editor


Joined: 08 Dec 2003
Posts: 9902
Location: New Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC
PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2013 11:57 pm Reply with quote
fencer_x wrote:
So...wait, is Canada not allowed to import porn of any sort? There's nothing overtly wrong with YMKM--Ao's 18, all the sex is consensual, there's no huge age-gap or other problematic elements...

What are the grounds here? /totally ignorant of Canadian obscenity laws

I wouldn't be surprised if they answer "All picture books must be kids-friendly." Rolling Eyes
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Chagen46



Joined: 27 Jun 2010
Posts: 4377
PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2013 11:58 pm Reply with quote
First loli, now BL...stay a dictatorship, Canada Rolling Eyes
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Davidnes



Joined: 18 Aug 2011
Posts: 22
PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2013 12:14 am Reply with quote
I don't see the reason behind seizing this. Like the article said, it's being sold on Amazon.ca and Indigo, so what's the big deal about importing it?
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PlatinumHawke



Joined: 02 Nov 2006
Posts: 204
PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2013 12:35 am Reply with quote
The wrong customs agent looked at it.
No, that's probably the exact reason.
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TsukasaElkKite



Joined: 22 Nov 2005
Posts: 4016
PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2013 1:18 am Reply with quote
CCharmanderK wrote:
The use of the word "seizure" in the title's context made me think that somebody had an epileptic fit while reading it. Anime hyper


That would suck. Laughing
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Pepperidge



Joined: 13 Sep 2003
Posts: 1106
Location: British Columbia, Canada
PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2013 1:49 am Reply with quote
PlatinumHawke wrote:
The wrong customs agent looked at it.
No, that's probably the exact reason.


That's almost certainly the exact reason, and exactly why Viz and Right Stuf should be fighting this. Top Shelf did for Lost Girls, and you could argue that the CBSA had far more grounds to continue seizing that one. This is total crap. Canada has one of the most backwards customs agencies in the developed world, and we shouldn't have to put up with this.
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poonk



Joined: 05 Jun 2008
Posts: 1490
Location: In the Library with Philip
PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2013 2:02 am Reply with quote
Yes, rather confusing. I've seen one Canadian (on tumblr) comment that they've seen the book for sale on the shelf at their local bookstore. What in the world...
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TsunaReborn!



Joined: 08 Sep 2012
Posts: 4713
Location: Cheltenham UK
PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2013 2:24 am Reply with quote
SuBLime, the boys-love imprint of Viz Media that publishes Bond of Dreams, Bond of Love in North America, confirmed with ANN that the series has not been banned in Canada and major Canadian retailers are still carrying the series.

Doesn't the above mean that its still being sold... thats why people in Canada have it/have seen it for sale?

I'm not quite sure what the big deal is... am I missing something?
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halochief_90



Joined: 06 Feb 2006
Posts: 466
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2013 2:29 am Reply with quote
I am ashamed to see this happen over here. Surely thousands of XXX pornography crosses through customs all the time so are they allowed to ban whatever they happen to notice?
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relentlessflame



Joined: 14 Dec 2004
Posts: 188
PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2013 2:30 am Reply with quote
PlatinumHawke wrote:
The wrong customs agent looked at it.
No, that's probably the exact reason.

Yes, I agree as well. Customs agents have a fair bit of leeway to make judgement calls, and the standards in this area are anything but clear and well-defined. It's not like no "pornography" can be imported, it just matters if CBSA deems it, in their judgement, to be "obscene". There are sorts of guidelines, but in the end it's a judgement call, and it's particularly difficult with foreign art like manga.


TsunaReborn! wrote:
I'm not quite sure what the big deal is... am I missing something?

Basically, it just points to the lack of clear standards and mixed messages in this area. One division deems it worthy to be sold in stores, and another division deems it illegal to import for individuals. The two points of view are logically at odds with each other, but the decision isn't coordinated, and the different decisions are quite possible given the vague standard. You would think that if you can buy it, you should be able to import it as well. You would think...
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Pepperidge



Joined: 13 Sep 2003
Posts: 1106
Location: British Columbia, Canada
PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2013 3:23 am Reply with quote
Customs agents are basically allowed to make calls that they shouldn't be qualified to make, and aren't expected to adhere to any guidelines beyond what they personally consider to be "obscene." This is regardless of whether or not the material in question is actually legal in Canada. Many of these agents have also (arguably) been notoriously homophobic, as evidenced by their long-running quarrel with Little Sisters Book and Art Emporium in Vancouver: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Sisters_Book_and_Art_Emporium_v._Canada

They need to be scrutinized and held accountable for this, but cases like this show that very little has changed over the past few decades.


Last edited by Pepperidge on Fri May 17, 2013 3:26 am; edited 1 time in total
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TsunaReborn!



Joined: 08 Sep 2012
Posts: 4713
Location: Cheltenham UK
PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2013 3:25 am Reply with quote
Could it possibly be the problem that AO does look quite child like so their concern is this could verge on child porn? Obviously a fan of the series knows this isn't the case but to someone just looking at the cover this could be a different story.
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