CAA: Christian Anime Alliance

Dear Ashley,

I was contemplating today I prolem I was having, and I was wondering if such an experienced beliver as yourself could help me out. I love Ranma 1/2. I have about 20 of the manga, and I am hoping to buy the DVD. Recently I was once again looking at the awesomeness of it, when I realized how much nudity is in it. I was appalled when I realized that the entire time I had been looking at what some would call softcore pornography. It's never been a stumbling block, and I never really realized it till now, but I don't know if it's alll right anymore. I would really like to get some advice. -Manga-loving Momus

If the nudity isn't bothering you and the show's story is not all about, then I think it's OK, no?

If you wanted a specific Ashley answer, you can send her a private message~

What!? We have a "DEAR ASHLEY" advice thread now! Poor Abbey. The end is near. . .

*lol* I can just see that...

Shooraijin and myself are pretty good Ranma experts. I don't consider it porn because it is not presented in a lustful manner. Porn is always aimed at lust. As long as it is not causing you to lust I don't think there should be a problem.

Mangafanatic wrote:What!? We have a "DEAR ASHLEY" advice thread now! Poor Abbey. The end is near. . .

LOL, now Ash will get all sorts of people coming to her for advice... hope you have time on your hands ^^

I would say personal conviction is a big thing here. As far as the way its presented...that just sounds like an excuse to enjoy somthing you may feel is wrong. (No offense intended) If somthing is troubling you...you should not do it. Its quite simple.

I think Shatterheart summed it up pretty well....

If you do what you know in your heart is wrong, it's sin. What I recommend is that you study the Word of God, do a topical study on this. Pray and draw closer to God and see what happends. If you don't have anything to do with ranma 1/2 anymore, no big deal cause you still have God. Satan likes to get us to focus on the ONE tree we can't have, and not focus on the 2 trillion trees God says we can have, and not only have, but He wants us to ENJOY!

That's what happened in the Garden of Eden. God told Adam "Of all the trees in the garden you may FREELY eat (most folks don't remember the All of the trees or freely eat parts), but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you may not eat, for in the day that you eat of it, dying you shall die." So Adam and Eve had all these trees that God gave to them to FREELY enjoy, and, just ONE tree, that He said no to. But Satan, being crafty, got them to focus on that one tree, and act like "God, why are You holding out on me?"

He does the same to us, and me, a million times. And most of the time we all buy it. I still do at times.

Pray that God will help us see and enjoy all the things in life that He has given to us and we are free to enjoy, and not focus on the few things He says no to, because He has said no to it because that choice, thing, whatever, isn't what's best for us.
Now, if God is leading you away from this, just leave it. In fact, as you study God's Word about this, I'd recommend stop having anything to do with Ranma as you draw closer to God, seeking Him out in this. See what happends as you look at the Bible and see how the Holy Spirit feels about this.

Personally, I'd call it pandering (hm, I could probably make a stupid pun out of that one, but nah...). Takahashi has a manga aimed at teenage guys and she's throwing the nudity at the readers for more sales. No it's not very erotic, though I'd have to say I think it's more because Takahashi is better with the stories than the art.


Most of the nudity in manga and anime (the non porn anyway) is actually considered ribaldry-- making use of nudity and sexual content for purposes of coarse humor. Of course, if it troubles your conscience or is a temptation for you, you're best off taking Shatterheart's advice. Do what your heart tells you.

Dear Momus--

I am happy to give you my personal views on such a matter, and honored you wanted to my advice! (and that goes for anyone else; hear that, Osaka?)

As to your question, I believe the simplest answer is that if you have to ask this question--that is, if your spirit is disturbed and prompting you to question yourself even slightly--then it it wrong. You shouldn't have to wait until the Holy Spirit is dragging you away painfully. If your relationship is right (which, don't get me wrong, I struggle too so this isn't condemning) then anything that sort of pricks your heart like this you will know instantly how to deal with. I think "context" or "purpose" are secondary in nature; for example, if blood is what gets me I don't care if they series is serious or comical about it, I don't like it and don't want to see it. Granted, that doesn't mean Shatterheart, the avowed Horror Movie Fanboy, is going straight to hell. His personal convictions don't line up with mine; but I can tell you REGARDLESS of the conviction, whether it's comical nudity or hardcore hentai-style porn, if you don't listen to the Holy Spirit's guiding it will either get extremely painful to give it up or your spirit may become hardened/calloused, which is NOT something you want.

Now, what about some biblical context for this argument.
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. " - 1 Corinthians 10:31

"Surely these are poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the Lord, nor the judgement of their God. I will get me unto the great men, and will speak unto them; for they have known the way of the Lord, and the judgement of their God: but these have completely broken the yoke...because their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are great" - Jeremiah 5:4-6

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you"-James 4:7

"Live such good lives among the pagans that though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He comes"-1 Peter 2:12

"Your word I have hid in my heart, that I might not sin against you."-Psalm 119:11

I hope this helps you, Momus. To sum up, if you have to question it, abandon it now, and don't try to justify it with things like "well it's for humor" or "well it's not really porn" or anything like that.

His Servant,
Ashley

How do I say this... I think if your hart is telling you it is wrong to watch Ranma 1/2 then listen to your hart. I someone once said that the whispers of your conscience is really your guardian angel telling you right from wrong.
With that said this my opinion on nudity. If it is a tasteful and unsexual manner then it is ok. I mostly draw nudes. I do not think my drawings are nasty or sexy at all. I just happen to love to draw the human body.

What is

Volt wrote:What is Softcore Porn to you?

If one goes to a museum for the sole purpose of staring at nude statues for a turn on. That is sinful yes.

But to go and appreciate the artwork for what it is, that's appreciation.

I've never seen Ranma 1/2, but I'm assuming the nudity is for comedy? Nothing more nothing less.

My advice is not to turn something into what is it not. Because then it gets a whole lot more confusing. If it gets to you as soft Porn then leave it, sell it on ebay, to someone who might not see it the way you do. And if it causes them to sin, whos fault is that? Your fault for selling it, or their fault for giving in to temptaion (which is ALL around us every day btw)

Hard to say in some cases, but I'd probably call "Kekko Kamen" and "Knights of Ramune" softcore porn, but not Urusei Yatsura.

I do think that if they use sex to increase sales, one could argue they're using soft core porn. When nudity is used erotically instead of comically, that could also be considered softcore.

I haven't made up my mind on Love Hina, but the poses and fanservice looks like something out of a Victoria's Secret ad

Ok...the dude asked Ashley for help directly..and ends up getting a bunch of sermons from all of us. LOL.

I think that's hilarious. But I also hope we helped you out dude.
I think we all have been there were we were like "Is this really bad? I don't wanna give it up though!" So we go off and ask our friends for advice, hoping we hear what we want to hear. I've been guilty of that myself.

I was very impressed by Ashley's response, and kudos to her exact quotations of the Bible.

I just pray that in all the advice we gave, none of it is unBiblical or will lead you astray. Amen.

PS,
DUH! Hollywood and Japan DO use sex to sell their products. Sex sells, is their mantra, and it does. But they are merely pawns of forces not of this world to corrupt the minds of man into becoming a sex-crazed culture, destroying God's beautiful creation. What's worse is that some of the pawns know what they're being used for, and rejoice! Pray for them, and for the turning of the tide in the entertainment world.

PSPS,
Dude, since most of the responses here are against you seeing it, MAYBE take that as a hint.

If he wan

Crud! Now I have to go to all the trouble of aquiring yet another flamethrower to burn books. I appreciate the advice, Ashley, guys and gals. I did want others to see it just in cas eanybody can sympathize, but I feel charmed now, I got responded to by the Ash *faints.* Yeah, I suppose there are plentty of other manga out there, and coincidentally, my church just recently spoke about not being able to outgive God, gee go-figure. Curse the nicotine island of Japan!

Just as a quick suggestion, if you really are going to get rid of your Ranma 1/2 manga, you might want to see if you can get rid of it without destroying it. Even if keeping it is against your personal convictions, if you are able to sell it instead of burning it all, you can use that money for some other purpose that is more honoring to God (maybe even finding a cleaner manga series to read).

but I feel charmed now, I got responded to by the Ash *faints.*

Nah, no need for all that. You asked for me by name, of course I was going to respond. But seriously, I may be a busy girl, but I am NEVER too busy to help any of you guys out however I can, ok? *kicks pedestal* no reverence for me, my friends, solely for our Great God. I'm a sheep too. XD

Momus wrote:Crud! Now I have to go to all the trouble of aquiring yet another flamethrower to burn books. I appreciate the advice, Ashley, guys and gals. I did want others to see it just in cas eanybody can sympathize, but I feel charmed now, I got responded to by the Ash *faints.* Yeah, I suppose there are plentty of other manga out there, and coincidentally, my church just recently spoke about not being able to outgive God, gee go-figure. Curse the nicotine island of Japan!

You know, in my case I just put the sticky part of some post it notes over the nude bits-- mainly because I thought my younger brothers would like it but thought the nudity was inappropriate. It may sound funny, but it works.

Kaori wrote:Just as a quick suggestion, if you really are going to get rid of your Ranma 1/2 manga, you might want to see if you can get rid of it without destroying it. Even if keeping it is against your personal convictions, if you are able to sell it instead of burning it all, you can use that money for some other purpose that is more honoring to God (maybe even finding a cleaner manga series to read).

If it is against your personal convictions to own it, it ought to be against your personal convictions to sell it.

Is it OK to help others do what you feel is wrong? If you believe it is potentially sinful to engage in a particular activity, why on earth would you even considering exposing your brother to that sin? Is financial gain more important than your brother’s salvation?

termyt wrote:If it is against your personal convictions to own it, it ought to be against your personal convictions to sell it.

Is it OK to help others do what you feel is wrong? If you believe it is potentially sinful to engage in a particular activity, why on earth would you even considering exposing your brother to that sin? Is financial gain more important than your brother’s salvation?

I think that is a valid point. That's why I threw away my offensive stuff. I suppose if the one you were to sell to was a fellow Christian, said they were aware of the danger and wanted it anyway and you felt secure that their conscience was well-formed you *might* feel OK with your conscience.

Depends on your conscience

Need to avoid a lax conscience, but need to avoid scrupulosity too.