Wicomico County schools have removed Akira Toriyama’s “Dragon Ball” series of graphic novels from their elementary schools after a city councilman received a complaint from a mother of a nine-year-old. Upon review of the book, they discovered the book contained several depictions of nudity and sexual innuendo.
Mark Thompson, president of the county school board, said it appears grant funding — not county dollars — bought the books in question. He said county schools did not select the books individually because they came as part of a “bulk purchase.”
“The pictures I saw, if it was meant for adults, it crosses the line for child pornography. If it’s for a child, why show these scenes for children?” Thompson said.
The “Dragon Ball” books focus on Son Goku, a monkey-tailed boy on a quest to obtain mythical objects called Dragon Balls. The series was later adapted into a popular animated TV show called “Dragon Ball Z.”
Don’t mock the great Vegita!
that’s funny. Little Goku definitely shows his heiney in a lot of the old ones.
Hmm I think I mocked Vegeta by not spelling his name correctly. Jesse, if we’re going to start throwing out every japanese comic that shows someone’s heiney we’re going to be here for a while!
haha I know, and I like how they were fine with the violence, just not the heinies.
And to think I used to read these comics in original Japanese when I was freaking FIVE.
But then, the standards for children’s entertainment is different in Japan than in US (I can vouch that alot of kids cartoons in Japan do contain nudity)
I haven’t read these, but I’ve read enough comics at the library to know the librarians don’t screen them. Sure, the Abraham Lincoln graphic novel seems perfectly educational. But guess how a graphic novel portrays Lincoln getting shot in the head? And that’s not limited to books about Lincoln.
I have a sneaking suspicion Dragonball isn’t that bad. Parents & board members who get their issues in the news usually have a care of righteous indignation.
… “case of” …
I say make the school board and parents. watch continuos Viagra comerical’s, and tell the children what that is all about.