The trend of banning manga and other literature in schools continues to escalate, and Tennessee has become the latest battleground.
Two school districts in the state, Rutherford County and Wilson County, have recently removed hundreds of titles from school libraries, citing compliance with a 2022 state law expanded this year.
Let’s break this down for anyone wondering what’s actually happening here.
Why Are These Manga Being Banned?
The updated law, dubbed the “Age-Appropriate Materials Act,” prohibits school libraries from holding content considered obscene. This includes anything depicting nudity, sexual excitement, or excessive violence.
While the law sounds straightforward, its vague language opens the door to sweeping interpretations.
For example, Frances Rosales, a Rutherford County board member, used Wilson County’s preexisting list of 400 banned titles as a reference. Some of the removed manga include heavyweights like:
- Attack on Titan by Hajime Isayama
- Jujutsu Kaisen by Gege Akutami
- Akira by Katsuhiro Otomo
- Assassination Classroom by Yūsei Matsui
- Fire Force by Atsushi Ōkubo
These aren’t niche series. They are widely regarded as staples in the manga world, many with cultural and literary significance. For instance, Attack on Titan has been praised for its exploration of themes like war, freedom, and morality. Yet, it’s now labeled as inappropriate for students due to its violent imagery and mature themes.
How Did We Get Here?
This isn’t a new phenomenon, but Tennessee’s actions are part of a larger wave of censorship sweeping the U.S.
In July 2022, Governor Bill Lee signed the original Age-Appropriate Materials Act. This spring, lawmakers expanded the definition of what’s considered “suitable.” Now, even classic works like Romeo and Juliet or historical novels such as All Quiet on the Western Front could be targeted under the same criteria.
What’s particularly concerning is how these decisions are being made. Wilson County’s banned book list, which includes manga and non-manga works alike, has been shared with other districts as a “resource.” This has led to mass removals with little oversight or input from local educators. Librarians report feeling pressured to self-censor, fearing backlash or penalties.
Who’s Affected from these bans?
These bans disproportionately target manga and graphic novels, as well as books dealing with LGBTQ+ topics or those highlighting diverse perspectives. For manga fans, this means less access to stories that often tackle complex, real-world issues in ways that resonate with young readers.
Take Assassination Classroom as an example. While its premise—students tasked with assassinating their alien teacher—is undoubtedly unconventional, the series is fundamentally about self-improvement, teamwork, and overcoming adversity. Labeling it as “pornographic” (as some board members have claimed) demonstrates a lack of understanding of the medium.
Beyond manga, the banned books also include Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye and even Dr. Seuss titles. It’s not just about manga fans; this is about every student losing access to literature that might broaden their worldview.
Also Read: Assassination Classroom Banned in Horry County, South Carolina Until at Least 2029
What’s Next?
Unsurprisingly, this isn’t sitting well with everyone. Organizations like PEN America and the ACLU are closely monitoring these developments, with lawsuits challenging the law’s constitutionality expected. In Florida, similar legislation has already faced legal pushback.
Tennessee’s implementation, however, is particularly chaotic. Districts are interpreting the law differently, leading to inconsistency in what gets banned. Some administrators admit to using other districts’ lists as shortcuts instead of conducting their own reviews.
For now, affected schools have 60 days to decide whether these banned titles will return to shelves or face permanent removal.
The mass removal of manga and other books feels less like a careful review of age-appropriateness and more like a blanket attempt to sanitize school libraries. And let’s be real—teens will still find ways to access this material outside of school. Bans like this don’t protect students; they only limit their exposure to stories that might teach them something valuable.
What do you think? Are these bans justified, or is this yet another example of overreach in the name of “protecting the children”?
