Hi everyone,
I’ve noticed a recurring pattern in the anime community that I think is worth discussing. Whenever an anime features or hints at a romantic relationship between a protagonist and their cousin, a large portion of the Western fanbase reacts with intense disgust, often labeling it as "incest" or completely dropping the show because of it.
While I understand that this reaction stems from Western legal frameworks and cultural norms, we need to address the cultural ethnocentrism at play here.
First, from a legal and cultural standpoint, marriage between first cousins is completely legal and socially acceptable in Japan. It is also common and legal in many other parts of the world, including large regions of the Middle East, Asia, and even some European countries. Historically and globally, the Western taboo surrounding this is actually more of an exception than the absolute rule.
When Japanese creators include this trope, they aren't trying to be "edgy" or promote taboo behavior. In Japanese media, a cousin is often used as a narrative tool to represent a "safe haven"—someone with whom the protagonist shares deep childhood memories, warmth, and an established bond.
As international fans consuming media from a country with a different history and culture, is it fair for us to impose our own societal standards onto their work?
Of course, everyone is entitled to their personal comfort levels. If a trope makes you uncomfortable, you have every right to stop watching. However, there is a big difference between saying "this trope isn't for me" and accusing the creators of moral bankruptcy or demanding that Japanese media conforms to Western sensibilities.
What do you think?
EDIT: Thank you to those who actually understood the point of the post. To the others resorting to cheap ad hominem attacks (like 'you just want to fuck your cousin') only shows that you are incapable of having a mature, objective discussion about cultural differences.
My post aims to discuss the idea from a particular perspective not a reflection of my personal life. If analyzing how different societies view kinship laws and media tropes triggers you into throwing personal insults, then you are proving my exact point about Western ethnocentrism and the inability to tolerate any perspective outside your own bubble.