You know how CMX was the bad guys for censoring Tenjho Tenge, and Del Rey was the company that would never do that? Well, this week the Anime on DVD forum, noticed that Del Rey rewrote parts of Air Gear to eliminate references to rape. Some readers had been giving them the benefit of the doubt (bad translation?) but editor Dallas Middaugh ‘fessed up:
I’ve long said that at Del Rey Manga, if we have to edit it we won’t publish it. So what do I do for the first volume of Air Gear, the work of an artist whose work has been censored in the past? I edit the dialogue to tone down sexual references. Dumb.
Even dumber? Mentioning it in a PW interview:
Middaugh says that Del Rey Manga will not edit the art although it has “toned down dialogue to reduce [sexual references] in the first volume.”
Actually, it’s amazing it took so long for the steam to hit the fan. But if the bad news is that Del Rey isn’t immune to temptation, the good news is that they are willing to repent:
I could explain how I reached that decision, but that isn’t really relevant. The decision was mine, it was wrong, and we’re fixing it. The next printing of Air Gear 1 will have the appropriate dialogue that refers to the rape on pages 58, 95, and 99. I am working to determine when that printing will be in stores – give me a week or so to sort that out, and I’ll post here again. For financial reasons, I cannot offer you the opportunity to trade your book in for a new printing.
You’re all aware of the change to the cover of Air Gear 2 (changing her thong and chaps to pants). That change will remain in place. The unedited image will appear on the title page in black and white.
Repent and toss in a panty shot for good measure. That’s why the fans love ’em! Reaction was immediate:
Wow! I wasn’t expecting that. This is exactly why you guys are my favorite manga company right now. YOU. ACTUALLY. LISTEN. And thank you so much for doing so. I will actually double dip on buying AG Volume 1 when you guys get the new printing out.
And now even people who weren’t going to read it vow to pick up volumes to show their support (go on, read the thread). Now that’s PR. Whatever they’re paying Dallas Middaugh, it isn’t enough.
Given my love for conspiracy theories, I can’t help but chuckle at the possibility that Dallas and Del Rey orchestrated this from the start in order to elicit those “favorite manga company!” responses. :D
Well thats weird. I was in an IM chat earlier and I said the exact same thing. It’s probably Dallas and Del Rey conspiraring to get “We Love You” quotes on all the sites.
Hey it fits the current climate. ^.^
My first thought was… Et Tu Brutus?!?! But then I realized my favorite manga publisher is publsihing books, not trying to usurp my monarchy.
The original edits didn’t bother me because “I got” the underlying rape message that Oh Great originally intended. However, they better live up to their word on how they present future books.
[I just want to be on record as saying rape is a disgusting subject but Oh! Great is IMO fascinated by it to an extent. So that’s why I think his works are rightfully considered controversial… if ya can’t stand the heat, stay outta the kitchen!]