Censoring in Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Heritage for the Future!
Censoring is a phenomenon that is primarily used to protect immature audiences. As children, we come as a tabula rasa, aka “blank slates” who are innocent and unadulterated by this world. By covering up violence and scenes deemed problematic, kids are supposed to have a holistic environment without displaying hostility.
In Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Stardust Crusaders, when Jotaro Kujo squares off against the Gambler Darby, the Joestar is seen with a cigarette. However, the cigarette itself isn’t visible, and that part of the image is blackened.
Honestly speaking, I don’t understand how it shall deter the regular populace from being motivated to smoke. Making things taboo has an effect of reversal; if something is banned or frowned upon, the human mind has a natural curiosity to know more about the topic that’s being censored. This can also be seen in Ecchi anime, wherein nowadays studios have to release a censored and an uncensored episode simultaneously to please open-minded as well as traditional audiences.
The censored version of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Heritage for the Future has a different color for blood: instead of the usual crimson, it’s actually white (does the color of peace remind you of something naughty?). Take a look at the below image which addresses the issue.
The majority of people aren’t happy with this alteration. Not only this, Countries like China does weird censorship on blood. Don’t believe us? Take a look at the below comparison.
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Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Heritage for the Future
Capcom originally released the game in 1998. Here is some data about the video game.
- Developer: Capcom
- Publisher: Capcom, Virgin Interactive
- Producer: Noritaka Funamizu, Yoshiki Okamoto, Kouji Nakajima
- Programming and Designer: Hideo Sakao, Tomohiro Ueno, Obata Shinichiro, Tatsuya Oshima, and many more
- Platform: Arcade, PlayStation, Dreamcast, PlayStation Network, Xbox Live Arcade
- Composer: Yuko Takehara, Setsuo Yamamoto
- Release Dates: December 1998, September 1999, October 1999, March 2000, April 2000, August 2012
- Genre: Versuz Fighting
- Mode: 2 players can game together (limit)
- Rating: ESRB – T, PEGI – 12
The Heritage for the Future was created by the team responsible for the hit Street Fighter III. Hirohiko Araki was consulted while the game was conceptualized, and we can see his influence clearly in the colorful characters. He also created a new character design for Midler (a tertiary antagonist in Stardust Crusaders), who had a more significant role to play in the game when compared to her presence in the manga.
This game played a vital role in the growth of the Jojo fandom in North America. It helped popularize the entire franchise as HFTF was one of the first Jojo-related media the American audiences encountered. If it weren’t for the game, the fanbase would probably have been a lot more limited.
Have you played the game as of today? Check it out on PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade if you haven’t. The final episodes of the Stone Ocean anime are set to dock at Netflix close to the end of this year. Dio fans have been waiting for the epic conclusion for a long time. Are you ready for some Bohemian Rhapsody?
Give us your thoughts on the issue of censoring in the field of anime and anime-inspired games. Does it genuinely protect children from the harsh realities of life? The comments section is open, lads and ladies. Go on!
Source: JBA Cursed