The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

This is a complaint as well as a rebuttal to the unrightful banning of the movie “Demon Slayer - Kimetsu no Yaiba, To the Hashira Training” from a fan. Not only is this blatant xenophobia, but it’s an insult to the intelligence of the audience watching this movie.

First of all, the banning is xenophobic in nature. The story of the movie takes place in Japan, with Japanese characters and monsters. The concept of Japanese “demons” is different from the Christian concept of demons.

“Demons” in Japanese folklore serves as an English umbrella term for a variety of monsters, spirits and mythical beings such as Onis (Ogres), Akuma (evil spirits) and Yokai, which are spirits that take on many forms from moving rocks to playful fox spirits. So by claiming this movie is “demonic” on the fact it depicts these demons not only shows a level of ignorance on such important parts of Japanese folklore but a deliberate lack to understand the mythology of another culture, and misinterpreting it.

Not to mention that the story is about fighting these “demons”. The main character Tanjiro Kamado, becomes a Hashira (a group of demon slayers, handling dangerous threats) to protect humanity from threats such as demons. It is hypocritical to call the movie demonic when the main characters and cast are fighting against the threat of demons. You think in a country that brags about its “christian values” wouldn’t be so mad about this, but apparently not. The Film Council thinks it’s “demonic” to fight “demons”.

Then there is the misunderstanding of demographics. In the original statements regarding its ban, it was said to be “Inappropriate to young viewers”, “not being in English” and “lacking a story” as one of the main reasons behind the banning. I find these reasons ridiculous.

For starters, the movie is aimed for those who are familiar with Demon Slayer, an already running series with past movies. Those who are actively going to see this movie are already fans who are caught up to the current story. To indicate that it has no plot, when those reviewing the movies have no context of the story at large is a ridiculous claim.

Then there is the claim of the movie not being in English. Many of the existing viewers are already accustomed to watching the shows and other movies with English subtitles. I understand this may be an issue for theater goers and those who may not have some sort of blindness, but there are many companies who dub and localise it for English speaking viewers (examples like Funimation). Many of those dubs are available for movie goers and the general public, so outright banning the movie for its lack of english is not only absurd but quite racist.

Finally there is the discussion and disregard of the audience itself. Demon Slayer is a story marketed towards teenagers and young adults, but many who are younger still enjoy the show. Many of my younger relatives are fans of the show and are able to understand and handle some of its more graphic scenes. However many young people are allowed to see movies that are rated pg+13 or M like superhero movies or other live action properties. Just because a movie is animated does not mean it is for children or General Audiences. Not to mention, one of its previous movies “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train” aired in theaters before and it had the same level of graphic violence.

Anime is a medium that encompasses many genres, including those that are adult oriented. This movie was never made for a general audience or young children. This is a movie made for fans of Demon Slayer and Bahamian anime fans and this ban shows the level of disconnect and misunderstanding of Bahamian Youth. Any attempt to understand the new and growing interest of bahamians is constantly challenged by outdated, xenophobic and conservative beliefs that are actively hindering the Bahamas as a people and a nation.

I hope to see some sort of resolve to this situation. There are many young Bahamians who are big fans of anime and come together when many of these big movies come to theaters. When the last Demon Slayer movie came to theatres, many of those fans came dawning costumes of their favorite characters and sharing it to social media as well as experiencing their favorite show on the big screen, with friends and others. Events such as these bring people together and it’s a shame that such rare unity is being taken away for an outlandish, outdated and ridiculous reason.

Mattea Knowles

New Providence

February 26, 2024