Our branch is experiencing a surge of interest amongst kids 8-11 yr olds to join our TEEN ONLY Anime Addicts group. So when our anime group (12-17 yr olds) met this week, we discussed solutions for our current predictament. The teens decided that the library should offer two anime showings per month. In addition to our current TEEN ONLY anime group, we decided that an alternative event is needed for “all ages.” It was interesting to witness their strong disapproval for the younger crowd joining in our activities.

As stated in a previous post, Judging Anime By Its Cover, we watched both anime starting with Misaki Chronicles. Actually, we viewed about 5 minutes of Misaki and switched anime. During Misaki, the same teens who thought the preteens too immature to handle our selection of anime, giggled and groaned at the female character’s overexagerrated anatomical proportions that capsized the screen. My group is largely female but there are a couple of guys who come on a regular basis. The age difference between those 12-15 and those 15-17 was audible by their reactions. Though the younger set mostly giggled they too partook in the older group’s protests “Oh, c’mon!” I’ve always believed that most teens will censor material which makes them uncomfortable. However, I was still in awe after having this belief confirmed. This observation is one more reason why we need not censor teen reading.