Anime that have been cut or banned in Australia.
Interspecies Reviewers
Directed by Yuki Ogawa / 2020 / Japan / IMDb
In Australia, INTERSPECIES REVIEWERS began streaming on AnimeLab in January 2020.
Funimation streamed it in North America but abruptly dropped it after three episodes.
January 31, 2020
– Funimation statement
After careful consideration, the series was removed from the service as it falls outside of our standards. We have the utmost respect for our creators so rather than substantially alter the content, we felt taking it down was the most respectful choice.
In Europe, Wakanim’s English language service, Wakanim Nordic, followed suit.
February 1, 2020
– Twitter @WakanimEU
Following our partner’s decision, we will not be able to offer the rest of INTERSPECIES REVIEWERS and will remove the title from our line up today.
In Australia, AnimeLab commented on the overseas issues.
February 2, 2020
– Twitter @AnimeLab
Attention, INTERSPECIES REVIEWERS fans: we are currently delayed on episodes while we adjust our sourcing of materials… but the show will go on at AnimeLab! Please bear with us as we get back up to speed.
At the time, their site was offering the first three episodes with a self-imposed R18+ (Restricted to adults 18 years and over) rating.
Censored MA15+
On 9 March 2020, a 94-minute version of INTERSPECIES REVIEWERS was passed with an MA15+ (Strong sex scenes, Crude sexual humour and Sexualised imagery) rating.
The classification matrix described,
Strong impact: themes, sex
Moderate impact: violence, language
Mild impact: nudity
None: drug use, nudity
This submission was for only the first four episodes and had all the nudity and sexual activity concealed by large censorship icons.
The applicant, Madman Entertainment, does not appear to have released them.
Season 1 in Australia
By the time of the MA15+, AnimeLab was already offering the first eight on their video on-demand service.
By 6 May 2020, they had made available the entire twelve episodes of season one.
Their previously self-imposed R18+ rating had now been downgraded to MA15+ (Persons under the age of 15 must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian).
Streaming no more
In June of the following year, AnimeLab subscribers were moved to Funimation. This resulted in it being immediately dropped.
June 17, 2021
– What happened to Interspecies Reviewers
We have determined that this series falls outside of our standards. We have the utmost respect for our creators so rather than substantially alter the content, we felt taking it down was the most respectful choice. As Australian and New Zealand users are now using the global Funimation platform, this applies to the AU/NZ region and this show will no longer be available to viewers in Australia and New Zealand.
– AnimeLab statement
Banned in Australia
In August 2021, a 282-minute media file of season one was Refused Classification. Again, the applicant was Madman Entertainment.
It contained uncensored versions of all twelve episodes.
The Classification Board singled out sex scenes in episodes 3 and 9, featuring the halflings Kanchal and Piltia, as the reason for the refusal.
August 16, 2021
Decision ReportClassification decisions are made in accordance with the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 (the Act), the National Classification Code and the Classification Guidelines.
Production Details:
Title: INTERSPECIES REVIEWERS
Alternate titles: INTERSPECIES REVIEWERS :
A HOT ‘N HEAVY DEBATE ABOUT ELF AND HUMAN MILFS, AN ANGEL ASCENDS AT MEOW MEOW PARADISE, CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF THAT SENSITIVE BIRDMAID CLOACA! /
FAIRIES HAVE LIMITS ON WHAT THEY CAN TAKE, DEMONS AREN’T VERY POPULAR, MINOTAUR GIRLS ARE BIG, BOUNTIFUL, AND BOOBYLICIOUS! /
GENDER-SWAP SEX MEANS LESS SUCCU-GIRL CHOICES, AND IT KINDA HURTS, BUT YOU LEARN JUST WHAT GIRLS FEEL, SO YOU SHOULD GIVE IT A TRY! /
SAVAGE SUCCUBI WILL SQUEEZE THE LIFE OUT OF YOU, EVEN IF YOU SAY YOU CAN’T GO ON, SALAMANDER GIRLS HAVE SUCH HOT BODS, HEARTS, SALS, AND MANDERS, THAT YOU CAN’T HELP BUT GET FIRED UP ABOUT ‘EM! /
I WANNA DROWN IN A CYCLOPS GIRL’S PRETTY EYE, BUT IT’S PRETTY HARD? SPEAKING OF HARD, LET THE PROS PICK OUT THE PERFECT MUSHROOM GIRL FOR A SLIMY, STICKY GOOD TIME! /
YOU CAN BUILD THE PERFECT GOLEM GIRL, BUT DON’T LET THE GIRL YOU BASE HER OFF OF FIND OUT. CUM TO THE LAND OF DREAMS ON THE LIGHT OF THE WILL O’ THE WISPS! /
THE GANG GETS LAID AT THE EGG-STRAVAGANT EGG-LAYING SHOW, MISS MEIDRI’S DEEP, DARK SECRET UNCOVERED, AND THE SUCCU-GIRL POPULARITY RANKING IS UNVEILED! /
SUCCU-GIRL ROLEPLAY WILL GET YOU GOING ALL NIGHT, THE ANGEL’S HOLY LANCE IS GREAT AT LANCING HOLES, THE SUCCUBUS TOWER LASTS FOREVER, BUT YOU (AND YOUR MAYO) WON’T! /
A DEEP, DARK SOMETHING LIES BETWEEN THE LIVING AND THE DEAD, THE DARLING ANGEL’S LOTION EXPLOSION, AND THE UNCOUTH, UNSANCTIONED REVIEWER RIVALS ARE IN THEIR SCENE! /
LET YOUR EYES BEHOLD THE GLORY AND MYSTERY OF THE BROTHEL WITH A PERFECT SCORE! TAKE A NEWLYWED OR A HORNY TUTOR OR A LITTLE PIGGIE AS YOUR LOVER! THEY’LL SQUEEZE, SQUEEZE, SQUEEZE IT OUTTA YA! INFINITE PLEASURE OVER A SATISFYING THREE-DAY EXCURSION! TRUE HAPPINESS AWAITS!!! /
THE FRIGHTENINGLY FAULTLESS PHILANTHROPIST SEXUALLY SATISFIES SEVERAL SUCCUBI, DRUNKEN FOOLS AND THEIR MONEY ARE, OF COURSE, SOON PARTED, AND MITSUE’S ROOM COMES TO A CLOSE! /
FAREWELL, BELOVED FANS OF OUR BELOVED REVIEWERS… WORRY NOT; AS LONG AS SUCCU-GIRLS KEEP ON WORKING HARD, SO TOO WILL OUR REVIEWERS. WHEN YOU THINK OF OUR HEROES, REMEMBER THIS: WHEN YOU HELP OTHERS (GET THEIR FUCK ON), YOU’RE ONLY HELPING YOURSELF (GET YOUR FUCK ON)…
Producer/s: NOT SHOWN
Director/s: YUKI OGAWA
Year of Production: 2020
Duration: 282 MINUTES
Version: ORIGINAL
Format: MEDIA FILE FOR DVD
Country/ies of origin: JAPAN
Language/s: Japanese
Application type: F05
Applicant: MADMAN ENTERTAINMENTDates:
Date application received by the Classification Board: 23 July 2021
Date of decision: 16 August 2021Decision:
Classification: RC
Consumer advice:Synopsis:
INTERSPECIES REVIEWERS is a 12 episode Japanese anime series about a group of adventurers, who review brothels and sex workers from different species in a medieval fantasy land. The film is in Japanese with English subtitles.Reasons for the Decision:
In making this decision, the Classification Board has applied the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 (the Classification Act), the National Classification Code (the Code) and the Guidelines for the Classification of 2012 (the Guidelines).
In the Board’s view this film warrants an ‘RC’ classification in accordance with item 1(b) of the films table of the Code:
“1. Films that:
(b) describe or depict in a way that is likely to cause offence to a reasonable adult, a person who is, or appears to be, a child under 18 (whether the person is engaged in sexual activity or not);” will be Refused Classification.
Also, pursuant to the Guidelines, films will be Refused Classification if they contain: “Descriptions or depictions of child sexual abuse or any other exploitative or offensive depictions involving a person who is, or who appears to be, a child under 18 years.”
At 14 minutes in episode 3 – GENDER-SWAP SEX MEANS LESS SUCCU-GIRL CHOICES, AND IT KINDA HURTS, BUT YOU LEARN JUST WHAT GIRLS FEEL, SO YOU SHOULD GIVE IT A TRY! – the adventurers are joined by Kanchal, a fantasy Halfling creature with an appearance similar to a young boy, on a trip to a ‘gender-swap’ inn where they drink a potion that switches their gender. After drinking the potion and transforming into a female character, who has the appearance of a young girl, Kanchal chooses a halfling named Piltia from the selection of ‘succu-girls’ who work at the brothel. Piltia has an appearance similar to a young girl. The narrator comments, “She’s a cute, tiny, fresh-to-the-game newbie! She might look cute, but she’s a bit of a dommie!” Stunk says, “Not bad. She’s cute too. Why’d you go for the same species though?” Kanchal replies, “The shop itself’s pretty unique, right? So I figured I’d go with someone of my own species as they’d know the ropes.” Stunk says, “I get it. Halflings are cute, but they look way too much like kids to me so I’m not all that into them.” Piltia giggles and says, “I’m pretty sure I’m older than you though, mister human.”
At 16 minutes in episode 3 – GENDER-SWAP SEX MEANS LESS SUCCU-GIRL CHOICES, AND IT KINDA HURTS, BUT YOU LEARN JUST WHAT GIRLS FEEL, SO YOU SHOULD GIVE IT A TRY! – Piltia holds up a buzzing vibrator that is censored by pixelation and says, “Okey-dokey, let’s have some fun with this little toy.” A close-up depicts Kanchal’s hand gripping sheets before a wide-shot depicts the halfling with under-developed breasts lying on a bed with the position of a vase obscuring her groin as Piltia implicitly penetrates her with the sex toy. Kanchal moans and says, “Ow, that hurts.” Pilita replies, “Just endure it, m-kay? Pain and pleasure are two sides of the same coin, y’know. C’mon, take it.” A close-up depicts Kanchal’s youthful face and breast buds as she exclaims, “I… I can’t…” An overhead view then depicts her jolting back and forth on the bed with wide-eyes open in shock as she yelps, “Ow! Ow! Ow!” A close-up depicts the censored vibrator being moved back and forth between her buttocks as she continues to yelp, “It hurts! It hurts!” Piltia explains, “You’ll experience sensations you simply can’t as a man.”
At 15 minutes in episode 9 – A DEEP, DARK SOMETHING LIES BETWEEN THE LIVING AND THE DEAD, THE DARLING ANGEL’S LOTION EXPLOSION, AND THE UNCOUTH, UNSANCTIONED REVIEWER RIVALS ARE IN THEIR SCENE! – Stunk, a human, and Zel, an elf, discover that rivals have also begun writing reviews of brothels. They are initially upset that their idea has been copied but quickly realise that they can’t prevent imitators from following their work. They read reviews and Stunk says, “Hey, this review’s done by a succubus film director, and a girl at that. Her pen name’s ‘Bi Bananan’. So she swings both ways.” The scene cuts to depict a close-up of a film camera lens and caption appears on screen with the text ‘please enjoy this scene without visuals’ as Bi says, “This time, we’re feasting our eyes on some highly-prized girl-on-girl action!” The sequence cuts to a film camera point of view shot – featuring a recording light – depicting Piltia the halfling, lying naked on a bed as Elza – a hyena-woman – crouches over her, saying, “Here we go. Just relax.” The young girl, who has over-sized eyes and purple hair, responds in a nervous, high-pitched voice, saying, “O-okay.” A close-up of Elza depicts her telling Piltia, “Hyenas are excellent scavengers, but we also love hunting living, virile creatures…” She licks her lips and the camera cuts to Bi as she exclaims what appears to be the title of the film she is directing, “‘Real Lesbian Action Tastes So Sweet! Especially When This Newbie’s So Cute!'” Bi then says, “Take her, take me, get ready for take one! And action!” Piltia and Elza are depicted in close-up as they kiss. Si tells them, “Let me see a little more spit swapped there, I want you as slimy as two slugs going at it!” In close-up, as Piltia and Elza move their heads back, their mouths are connected by a string of saliva. Piltia’s face appears flushed red and a wide-shot depicts the size disparity between her and the much larger Elza as she lies on the bed. A close-up depicts Piltia’s flushed face as she pants and Bi enthusiastically yells, “God, even I’m getting wet! That look of dazed passion, it’s perfect.” Elza holds Piltia’s shoulders and says, “You’re cute. Getting turned on?” She pushes the girl back onto the bed and in a nervous, high-pitched voice, the girl says,” Y-you said this was just going to be job training…” Elza replies, “That’s right. What better way to learn than on the job itself?”
The scene continues and, at 17 minutes, Elza gropes Piltia’s breast, causing her to yelp. A full-length view then depicts Elza crouching over Piltia and raising her leg as she tells her, “I’m going to devour you down to the marrow.” An extreme close-up depicts the Elza’s fingers playing with Piltia’s nipple before a close-up of the girl’s face depicts her with her eyes tightly closed as she recoils and says, “B-but Senpai, you – you can’t!” Elza replies, “Naughty girl. Talking back?” Piltia squeals, “Y-you lied to me! Senpai, you’re the naughty one!” Si urges them on yelling, “That’s it! Fingers and tongue, double trouble! The calm before the fnk-storm!” The word, fuck, is censored in the English subtitles. Elza is then depicted crouched over Piltia with her hand reaching between Piltia’s legs as she says, “Well then, let’s see if you talk back down here too.” Ezla thrusts forward and a squelching sound is heard as she implicitly penetrates Piltia’s vagina. Piltia gasps and squeals, “S-senpai!” Bi is depicted with her hand down her own underwear, vigorously moving her fingers as she implicitly masturbates and exclaims, “Pan, pan, pan into this perfect pomtastic pussy party!” A close-up depicts Bi’s hand moving in her underwear before Elza leans close to the girl’s ear and tells her, “Go on. Get loud. Let me hear that pretty voice.” The girl yelps and whimpers as she implicitly climaxes and a close-up then depicts Elza as she howls in satisfaction. Piltia, whose face is covered in droplets of sweat, cries out, “Oh, mistress!” and the screen cuts to white. A close-up depicts Bi continuing to vigorously masturbate as she says, “I’m about the reach the climax of my own film.” She cries out as she implicitly climaxes and then resumes her review, saying,” Believe me, you’ll get a full hearty course of feminine frolicking. If you’d like a lovely older woman to teach you the ropes, then I cannot recommend this place more highly. I’ll tell you this, I have discovered a forbidden door and I threw it wide open.” The scene cuts back to depict Stunk and Zel reading brothel reviews in the Ale ‘N Eats bar.
In the Board’s opinion, the sexualised nudity and sex scenes featuring the youthful ‘halfling’ characters depict a person who appears to be under the age of 18 years in a manner likely to cause offence to a reasonable adult. Therefore, in accordance with item 1(b) of the films table of the Code, the film should be Refused Classification.
OTHER MATTERS CONSIDERED OR NOTED
The Board notes that a version of the first four episodes in this anime series was previously classified MA 15+ with consumer advice of strong sex scenes, crude sexual humour and sexualised imagery on March 9, 2020. In this previously classified version of the series, all depictions of sexual activity and nudity were obscured by large censorship icons that are not included in this modified version of the series.
Decision:
This film is Refused Classification in accordance with item 1(b) of the films table of the Code.
– Classification Board report
How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord – S02
Produced by Okuruto Noboru – Tezuka Productions / 2021 / Japan / IMDb
In January 2023, a 241-minute Blu-ray of HOW NOT TO SUMMON A DEMON LORD – SEASON 2 was banned. The decision of the three-member Classification Board panel was unanimous.
The applicant was Crunchyroll Pty Ltd.
Why was it banned in Australia?
The reason for the Refused Classification of the entire Blu-ray was the result of a single image that appeared at the end of EPISODE 3: CORRUPT RITUAL.
This promo, for EPISODE 4: PERSONAL DOMAIN, was found to contain sexualised images of characters who were or appeared to be under 18. The report implied this was a unique image that does not appear in EPISODE 4.
January 5, 2023
Decision ReportProduction Details:
Title: How Not To Summon A Demon Lord – Season Two
Alternate Titles: Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5, Episode 6, Episode 7, Episode 8, Episode 9, Episode 10, How Not To Summon A Demon Lord – Season 2 : Head Priest / Head Palladin / Corrupt Ritual / Personal Domain / Black Dragon Clash / Demon Lord Army / Little Demon Lord / Visit To The Royal Capital / Storm The Church / Pretend God l
Producer: Not Shown In English
Director: Not Shown in English
Year of Production: 2021
Duration: 241 minutes
Version: Original
Country of origin: JAPAN
Language: English
Application Type: Film Other
Applicant: Crunchyroll Pty LtdDates:
Date application received by the Classification Board: 19/12/2022
Date of decision: 5/01/2023Decision:
Classification: RC
Reason: The film is classified RC in accordance with the National Classification Code, Films Table, 1. (b) as films that “depict in a way that is likely to cause offence to a reasonable adult, a person who is, or appears to be, a child under 18 (whether the person is engaged in sexual activity or not).”Synopsis:
This product consists of ten episodes of the Japanese anime series, HOW NOT TO SUMMON A DEMON LORD, said to be Season 2. Diablo continues his adventures in his avatar form, accompanied by Rem and Shera. They meet a high priest, Lumakina, who begs for their help to rid the church of corruption and sin. The series is shown in Japanese with English subtitles.Reasons for Decision:
In making this decision, the Classification Board has applied the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 (the Classification Act), the National Classification Code (the Code) and the Guidelines for the Classification of 2012 (the Guidelines).
In the Board’s view this film warrants an ‘RC’ classification in accordance with item 1(b) of the films table of the
Code:
“1. Films that:
(b) describe or depict in a way that is likely to cause offence to a reasonable adult, a person who is, or appears to be, a child under 18 (whether the person is engaged in sexual activity or not);” will be Refused Classification.
Also, pursuant to the Guidelines, films will be Refused Classification if they contain: “Descriptions or depictions of child sexual abuse or any other exploitative or offensive depictions involving a person who is, or who appears to be, a child under 18 years.”
At the end of each episode in this series, there is a promotional image for the next episode which features text encouraging the audience to continue viewing. Although these still images feature the characters from the series, they appear out-of-context at the very end of each episode, after the credits. The characters are frequently depicted using a direct gaze, engaging the viewer. The images feature environments and scenarios which have not been referenced or established in the series. Further, an illustration credit is given for each image rather than being given in the credits for the series.
At 24 minutes in Episode 3 – Corrupt Ritual, the still image depicts four female characters standing on a beach in revealing bikinis. Text across the top of the screen reads “Don’t Miss the Next Episode!” “Illustration: Kani Beam”. Three of the characters are shown in close-up with the fourth character on the left depicted further into the background. The character who is second from the left, one of the characters in the foreground, appears to be a young pubescent girl, depicted with slightly developed budding breasts and wearing a very small string bikini that obscures her nipples. She is slightly cupping and accentuating her small left breast in her hand in a suggestive manner. Her pubic area is barely obscured by a tiny string bikini bottom that is pulled down beneath the pelvic line. Her pubic mound is exposed however, the bikini bottom obscures any labial detail and there are no indications of genital detail. Another piece of text in the bottom left of the image, which is in Japanese script, positions a large red exclamation mark over the girl’s vaginal area, thus drawing attention to it. The girl’s physique appears to be that of a young girl who is pubescent, as she has no hip development, and her frame appears slight and juvenile, including her shoulders, chest and arms. The girl’s face has child-like features, and she is depicted with her eyes closed and mouth open.
The girl standing next to her has a slightly more developed body, including hips, although her overall physique is pubescent. This character is depicted cupping and accentuating her small partially covered breasts in a sexualised manner.
The girl standing on the far right of the image is depicted as wide-eyed and child-like, with her mouth open. She has undeveloped breasts and is wearing a bandeau-style bikini. She is mimicking the poses of the other characters by suggestively pretending to reveal her breasts, however the second layer of her bikini obscures her flat chest. Her eyes are wide and her mouth is slightly open, giving an expression of naivete.
In the Board’s opinion, this still image features characters who are or appear to be children under the age of 18 in a sexualised depiction that is likely to cause offence to a reasonable adult. Accordingly, the film is classified RC in accordance with the National Classification Code, Films Table, 1. (b) as films that “depict in a way that is likely to cause offence to a reasonable adult, a person who is, or appears to be, a child under 18 (whether the person is engaged in sexual activity or not).”
Decision:
This film is classified RC with consumer advice of The film is classified RC in accordance with the National Classification Code, Films Table, 1. (b) as films that “depict in a way that is likely to cause offence to a reasonable adult, a person who is, or appears to be, a child under 18 (whether the person is engaged in sexual activity or not).”
– Classification Board report
Abandoned Blu-ray
Madman Entertainment had been advertising a two-disc Blu-ray, Catalogue No FG-10641, for release on March 8. The classification stated ‘Rating To Be Confirmed’.
The page, including ‘art not final’, was removed a few days after the refusal.
Dropped by Microsoft
The Microsoft Store originally carried a SimulDub with a self-imposed MA15+ rating.
Following the refusal, the Australian page listed it as ‘Season 2 is currently not available’. Overseas Microsoft Stores still had it for purchase.
Okay in UK
In March 2023, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) passed SEASON 2 uncut with an 18 classification.
Eight episodes received 15 classifications. It was ‘sexual violence’ in episodes one and three, HEAD PRIEST and CORRUPT RITUAL, that pushed the overall season to 18.
Censored for MA15+
In June 2023, a 241-minute modified Blu-ray passed with an MA15+ (Strong sexual themes and sexualised imagery) rating.
The classification matrix described,
Strong impact: themes, sex
Moderate impact: violence, nudity
Mild impact: language
None: drug use
The ‘More information about the content of this film’ section described ‘…sexual references, sexualised imagery, sexual innuendo and highly stylised implied sexual activity’ and ‘…partially obscured full-length nudity, including male and female buttock nudity’.
The applicant was again Crunchyroll Pty Ltd.
A Blu-ray is scheduled for a December release.