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Get comfortable because our first podcast with guests is over 2-hours long so it is perfect for long commutes or a hard day at work. Our two guest are Ed Sizemore of Manga Worth Reading and Eeeper of the Eeeper's Choice podcast. We also started our mailbag segment, the Interrogation Room, so feel free to send in your questions and comments so we can discuss them on the next podcast!

The Tokyo Youth Ordinance Bill was passed at the end of 2010 and goes into effect this April. It has been a controversial bill in the anime and manga communities for both the U.S. and Japan. Is this a bill that will act as a savior that clears the industry of harmful perversions or is it a stifling straitjacket on the creativity of a medium? We talk about the history of the bill, the facts and misconceptions surrounding it, and what we think ramifications of the bill will be.

And now your helpful bartenders at The Speakeasy present your drink:

Kill Bill

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What is the Speakeasy Podcast?

The Speakeasy is a podcast hosted by the Reverse Thieves where fans can pull up a stool and listen to an in-depth but casual conversation about the nuts and bolts of anime, manga, and fandom. The goal is not to review individual shows but the processes, themes, tropes, and concepts that go into making anime and manga what they are. A meta podcast if you like. Once a month the Speakeasy will try and solve another mystery while giving you a drink recipe to set the mood.

Who are the Reverse Thieves?

Hisui (Alain) and Narutaki (Kate) are two Japanese pop culture detectives for the blog the Reverse Thieves. The blog in an ongoing conversation about anime and manga with an emphasis on overlooked gems, broad trends in the industry and fandom, exclusive events at hot spots in New York City, and of course all things detective related. With a keen eye for detail one truth always prevails.

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Opening song: Detective Conan Main Theme

[00:00:27] Intro: Just in case you wanted to know who we are and what we are about. We also give all the standard contact info as we introduce ourselves.

Including:

• Our Blog: Reverse Thieves
  
• Our Host Site: Anime 3000
  
• The Podcast’s Website: The Speakeasy
  
• The Reverse Thieves e-mail: reversethieves@gmail.com
  
• Alain’s Twitter – HisuiRT
  
• Kate’s Twitter – NarutakiRT
  

The first two guests on The Speakeasy are:

• Ed Sizemore of Manga Worth Reading and the Manga Out Loud Podcast
  
• Phillip aka Eeeper of the Eeeper's Choice and I ♥ The 80′s! Podcast podcasts

[00:05:30] The Interrogation Room

• The guests and the Reverse Thieves answer the inaugural mail bag question from Tom Langston aka calaggie of the Nigorimasen! blog and podcast: What cliches and conventions from anime and manga annoy you the most and are there any you have come to like?
  

[00:30:15] The Happy Hour Promo Break

• The Manga Out Load Podcast
  
• Eeeper's Choice Podcast
  

[00:32:30] The Cocktail: Kill Bill, the Tokyo Youth Ordinance Bill

• A look at the controversial Tokyo Youth Ordinance Bill also known as Bill 156. What effect will it have on anime, manga, and video games now that it has passed? Does anyone really know what this is bill about?

[00:33:42] What is Bill 156?

• A quick overview of what the Tokyo Youth Ordinance Bill is.
• We talk about the ambiguous language of the bill, the less talked about Mobile phone section, and the weird child pornography part.

[00:37:48] What Has Spurned This Bill?

• The negative press in the international community of lolicon and rape-themed anime, manga.
• Is the bill actually hitting any of the content it is supposedly going after?

[00:41:35] A Tale of Swords and Souls, Eternally Retold

• This is hardly a new phenomenon with a distinct cycle, will it be any different this time around?
• The bill is actually an amendment to the Tokyo's Youth Healthy Development Ordinance.

[00:46:30] The Seduction of the Innocent

• The U.S. and the Comics Code Authority.
• Some evidence of Wonder Woman and Bondage.
• The Hays Code and movies.
• The power of age codes in covering your bum.

[00:59:22] Chii's SweetOverfiend

• There are guidelines in manga but they are not very public or well-presented.
• BTW Hisui made up that example with Morning, Afternoon, and Evening. He doesn't know what their actual standards are.

[01:01:00] Governor Ishihara's Vision of the Good Life

• Governor Ishihara social agenda and the possible insidious nature of the bill.
• Some examples of anime that might get caught by this bill that could be dangerous. The biggest titles are probably safe but what of the smaller are on the chopping block?
• The substantial protection of novels vs comics against censorship .

[01:13:52] Get a Second Drink Musical Break

• Pub Food for Thought: What titles that you love might have been effected by the bill if released today?
• I'm Just a Bill from Schoolhouse Rock!
  

[01:16:54] Rating Systems

• Should there be age ratings on anime and manga?
• Why does Japan not have an age code system?

[01:20:41] Japan and the Group VS. Society

• Has Japan's ideal of a group mentality and the growing rejection of that ideal in part lead us to this state?
• Is it a mater of face for Japan?
• Is this the same debate that created the comic code authority only decades later for Japan?

[01:30:37] What Does Gekiga Have to Do with It?

• Gekiga manga and the face of manga.
• There has been a history of manga being challenged and protested.
• Did the manga industry think the art form of Osamu Tezuka and therefore untouchable?

[01:38:38] Narutaki Asks the Million-Dollar Question

• What is everyone's feelings on the bill?
• Will it just make everything go underground? Will it punish the creative?
• Will this get rid of all the "icky stuff" in anime and manga?

[01:54:28] A Showdown

• What effect will the pullout of many of the anime and manga companies have on the Tokyo Anime Fair?
  

[01:57:25] Final Thoughts

• Don't be so quick to assume the titles that you like will not be affected by the bill.
• How much does the Japanese public actually care?
• Will this lead to a growth for online publishing in Japan?

[02:05:06] Bonus Musical Break

• I'm an Amendment To Be from The Simpsons
  

[02:06:30] Ending

• Gosick episode reviews
  
• Bill 156 follow-up article
• Keeping Up with the Yamadas
  
• My Introduction to European Geekery
  

Ending song:

Kasumi

by 369 miroku from

The Daughter of Twenty Faces