Anime Could Be Declared Illegal Over Underage Characters Thanks to New Texas Bill

A newly passed Texas Senate bill could criminalize the possession of some anime, manga and video games featuring underage characters in "obscene" contexts.

Senate Bill 20, passed unanimously by Texas state senators, aims to amend Chapter 43 of the Texas penal code to criminalize the possession of "obscene" material depicting minors—including cartoons and animations, as reported by Dexerto.

While the bill primarily targets AI-generated explicit content, its broad language could also encompass anime and manga, which frequently depict high school-aged characters in romantic or suggestive contexts.

The ambiguity of what constitutes "obscene" material has sparked concerns within the anime and gaming communities. If interpreted strictly, Texas residents could face felony charges simply for owning or accessing certain anime, manga or video games.

While the bill has passed the Senate, it still needs further approval before becoming law. If signed, its enforcement and legal interpretations will be closely watched, especially regarding how authorities handle subjective depictions of underage characters.

The potential for broad application has raised fears of censorship and legal uncertainty for anime fans, retailers and streaming platforms.

Should the law take effect, it could lead to legal battles over artistic expression and censorship, as well as challenges from media companies and advocacy groups.