Could Anime Be Dangerous?

When I was a child, I loved to read a good story. I wasn’t interested in true stories or other non-fiction; I wanted a story to take me away into a different world—a world of idyllic relationships and happy endings.

Fiction and fantasy are appealing ways to escape the trials, challenges; and sometimes the restrictions and limitations of reality. Of themselves, fiction and fantasy aren’t wrong. Jesus himself told made-up stories that we call “parables” to teach His followers important lessons. 

But can the fantasy world of cartoons, comics, anime and manga become dangerous? How can we recognize when the world of imagination and fantasy crosses a line from harmless to harmful?

When watching cartoons or anime we might be tempted to think that, since it’s not “real,” violence and sexual content are OK, but Jesus taught that wrong actions start with the thoughts in our minds (Mark 7:14-23). Those thoughts in our minds are “fed” by what we put into our minds. If we feed our minds on violence and perversion, we can eventually expect that violence and perversion to impact our actions.

A true story

Recently, Ingrid* was kind and humble enough to tell me a very sad story about how her desperate desire for friends, and to fit in as a pre-teen, led from watching very innocent anime to an addiction to a very dark and perverted kind of anime. This in turn impacted her thinking and set her on a path to some very damaging—even devastating—life choices. Ingrid’s real-life pain is an example of how very small steps may take us away from God and His way, and eventually leave a huge chasm between us and God.

Ingrid has turned away from those unhealthy choices now, but she will continue to pay a price for certain decisions for many years yet to come. Importantly, she didn’t start with watching very violent or perverted content. If, like Ingrid, you have made a series of media choices that have led to a downward spiral into a seeming abyss, I hope you will be encouraged to know that God will gladly welcome you back to Him. Jesus told not just one, but three separate parables about how God lovingly forgives our past sins when we turn back to Him (see Luke 15).

It may seem hard to work out what is good viewing or reading or recreation and what is bad, but the Bible has the answers (even though it’s a really old book!) if you know where to look. 

The Bible has some simple tests we can apply to all kinds of entertainment to work out whether they are suitable or not. Just because they’re simple doesn’t mean it’s easy to do the right thing though! As you look carefully at what the Bible has to say, you will probably find you don’t always like it. You may find your favorite movies or TV shows don’t meet God’s high standards, but if you stick to God’s ways you will find His ways always best in the end, even if they’re hard to follow.

Here are seven steps based on the Bible that can help you avoid media becoming a monster that takes over your life.

Step One: Test All Things

Firstly, these rules apply to all kinds of entertainment and recreation. Just like fiction and fantasy aren’t necessarily bad, nonfiction and documentaries aren’t necessarily good. The Bible says to “test all things.” That’s the first step. Whether it’s a favorite cartoon or anime, a nature documentary, reality show, computer game or other form of entertainment, the same rule applies: “Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain [keep away from] every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22).

Step Two: Know and Obey God’s Laws

How do we know what is evil and what is good? The starting point is found in Exodus chapter 20 and Deuteronomy chapter 5—in what are known as “the Ten Commandments”. The Ten Commandments tell us not to steal, lie, murder, worship idols and so on. But, Jesus Christ told His followers not to even think about doing bad things. So, any entertainment that has us imagining doing wrong ourselves is a big “no.” Movies, television series and books where the “good guys” are stealing, lying or even into pagan religion are starting to cross a line. So, step two is to learn God’s commandments and apply them!

Is this hard? Absolutely! You’ll find that some very popular movies and TV series don’t make the cut, and you’ll probably have friends or family who try to get you to watch or participate in things that aren’t right.

My friend Ingrid didn’t set out to sin—she was lonely and wanted to fit in, and an entire realm of fantasy was there waiting to fill that void. What Ingrid discovered, of course, is that imagination and fantasy can’t fill the holes God created to be filled by relationships with Him and other people. That’s where step three comes in.

Step Three: Pray for Help and Guidance

We must pray and ask God for help, often (Psalm 25:4-5)! You’ll need God’s help in identifying what’s right and wrong, and you’ll need a lot of help in sticking with what’s right. There are a lot of temptations out there in the world of entertainment, and you’ll find you won’t be able to stick to the right path without God’s help.

Step Four: Read the Whole Bible

Get to know the whole Bible. There are many important rules and helpful instructions in the Bible beyond just the Ten Commandments. So, over time, to truly hold fast to what is good and keep away from evil, you’ll want to get to know all of those instructions from God. (Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17.)

Step Five: Be Ready to Repent (Quickly!)

Sadly, with so many temptations, you’ll find that even when you’ve asked for God’s help, you’re going to sometimes make mistakes—even mess up very badly. That’s where step five comes in: be ready to repent (admit to God you’ve made a mistake, say sorry, and turn around). This is another tough one. It’s tough to admit to being wrong, but if you want to follow God there is no other way!

When I was young, I made a lot of bad choices in movies and TV shows. I still notice some of the consequences of that many years later when bits of movies pop into my head and send my brain on a negative loop of bad thoughts and emotions. I have had to repent many times—not only as a young person, but also as an adult. That’s part of our walk with God. The sooner we repent of wrong choices, the sooner we can get back on track making right choices. (See 1 John 1:9.)

Step Six: Replace the Bad with Good

We must put good things in to keep the bad things out. In Philippians 4:8, the apostle Paul wrote that we should think about good things. He said: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”

The things you watch and read are naturally what you will think about, so it’s very important to make those good things. As you get into reading the Bible, you will notice it tells the stories of some big mistakes and sins—and their consequences.

Is that verse telling us we shouldn’t read the Bible? Definitely not! Filling your mind with “good” things doesn’t mean you can only watch YouTube videos of cute kittens. Ideally, what you watch, read, or participate in should inspire and encourage you to do good (by God’s definition of good!) in your own life.

If a show, book or activity leaves you feeling lustful (really desiring what you know is wrong), angry, bitter, resentful or with other negative emotions, that’s a good sign you need to review what’s going into your mind. If you fill your life with God’s word, good, healthy relationships, and meaningful activities, then mental “junk food” will be far less tempting. Have you ever tried to resist your absolute favorite junk food when really, really hungry? It’s super hard, right?

Step Seven: Reach Out for Help

Finally, get help from someone you trust—even before you get onto the wrong track. That person may be a family friend, relative, pastor or leader in your church or community—just make sure they are generally living by a godly standard themselves! And don’t expect anyone to be perfect. Every human you look up to will let you down sometimes.

Choosing someone who will encourage you to stay close to God, who sets a good example themselves, and who willingly admits their mistakes, can be invaluable in your life! (Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-10.)

Follow God’s principles

Can the fantasy world of cartoons, anime, comics and manga become dangerous? Yes, when they contain images or ideas that are opposed to God’s way. True safety and peace come from following the laws and principles God has given us in His word. God has given each of us the tools to identify what is good. May we each use the tools God has given us, and use them wisely.

*Not her real name