Anime and manga fans are definitely not strangers to the borderline NSFW material that often appears in even the mildest circumstances.
An obvious and classic example is the reminder that despite the short skirts and high heels, most of the characters in "Sailor Moon" are under aged.
But there's definitely a difference between short skirts and being dangerously close to child pornography.
Recently it was announced that the "Shonen Maid" manga series would be adapted into a TV anime that will air in spring 2016. At a glance, the series sounds like a cutesy, feel good storyline about a boy who enjoys cleaning. However, some fans are wondering if the premise is a guise for use of the common sexualized maid trope with a young boy instead of an adult woman.
"So can anyone who has read this confirm if it has sexual fan service in it? I'll watch it if it's just cute fun, but if they sexualize the kid I'm going to steer clear," said Rivailoli in an ANN forum.
Given the sexualized maid trope that occurs in various popular media including anime and manga, it definitely appears to be a valid fear if there's an elementary school character that will be taking on the title of a maid.
Thankfully however, it doesn't appear to be the case. According to one fan who responded to the question, the series is light and cute in tone.
"It's been forever since I read this, and I don't think I've read everything, but from what I can remember it was more of a silly/sweet family story," said Sunny Milk.
The subject matter of overly sexualized children in anime and manga is one that fans have been discussing perhaps since its existence. At least since 2011, fans have questioned and defended the placement of scantily clad loli characters and the increasing presence of sexual innuendo in the series.
Admittedly, the issue is complicated by cultural differences between Japan and the west. The fact that loli culture even exists in Japan and has no real equivalent suggests an entirely different view on youth and how to draw the line before something becomes child pornography.
Nevertheless, here's hoping for goodhearted fun in "Shonen Maid" for those who were interested but feared that the main character would be sexualized.
