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NEWS: Australia Bans Import, Sales of How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord Omega Anime

I didn't know that Australia was also run by morons.

Australians be like: Oh no, anyway... *buys from overseas*.

That actually wouldn't happen, the decisions aren't based on personal preference. I did some reading little while ago on how the classification process actually works in Australia and there a lot of misconceptions. First thing that needs to be understood is that classification is based on a report written by a boardmember outlining the reasoning for their decision in accordance with the classification guidelines. The report is then read by the other members who then must vote to approve the classification. The second thing that needs to be understood is that the board itself does not make the guidelines which they follow. So just because they made a decision in accordance with those guidelines, does not mean the agree with the guidelines. In fact the board has made submissions to the government to change the guidelines multiple times in the past. Third is that it's not just the level of violence or sex that affects the classification, but also the context. If the content is justified in in the context the media presents, then that can actually lower the classification.

Sorry if this was long. I tried my best, but please keep in mind I'm not an expert. This is not me trying to defend or attack the classification board. This is just me trying to clear up to misconceptions.

If you live in Australia I would strongly advise against that. Importing something that has been denied classification is illegal and could get you prison time!

This is untrue. In every state and territory with the exception of Western Australia, it is perfectly legal to possess Refused Classification material. The obvious exceptions are child pornography and the like.

Where you could potentially get into legal trouble is if the police determine that you obtained the material to publicly show or distribute. I've read that Western Australian authorities will jail you for possession, but the legislation only says a maximum penalty of $10,000.

ComicGuy105 wrote:

That actually wouldn't happen, the decisions aren't based on personal preference. I did some reading little while ago on how the classification process actually works in Australia and there a lot of misconceptions. First thing that needs to be understood is that classification is based on a report written by a boardmember outlining the reasoning for their decision in accordance with the classification guidelines. The report is then read by the other members who then must vote to approve the classification. The second thing that needs to be understood is that the board itself does not make the guidelines which they follow. So just because they made a decision in accordance with those guidelines, does not mean the agree with the guidelines. In fact the board has made submissions to the government to change the guidelines multiple times in the past. Third is that it's not just the level of violence or sex that affects the classification, but also the context. If the content is justified in in the context the media presents, then that can actually lower the classification. Sorry if this was long. I tried my best, but please keep in mind I'm not an expert. This is not me trying to defend or attack the classification board. This is just me trying to clear up to misconceptions.

Thanks for adding some context to how Australia handle there rating system. As an American, it still comes off as strange that Australia's rating system is at leas partially government regulated, even when it presents problems like this.

Sounds like people are better off not doing it then, if it's up to the police and government's 'discretion' to charge you with something or not. I wouldn't put my fate in these peoples hands if they get this irrationally upset over a cartoon or comic

Can't they sue them to challenge this decision? Even if someone doesn't like this show personally this seems like setting a bad precedent especially as you know like BL shows or any show targeting an LGBTQIA+ audience that they don't approve of the content would likely be next and this feels like setting a bad precedent.

While I'm not surprised by this, what really bothers me is that there was no reason given. It's awfully difficult to dispute a decision when you don't know what the problem is, which leaves the options of either making some sort of edits and hope you guess right, or just give up entirely, which I'm sure is what they want in the end.

Ringking wrote:

Australians be like: Oh no, anyway... *buys from overseas*.

If you live in Australia I would strongly advise against that. Importing something that has been denied classification is illegal and could get you prison time!