Fact Check: US congress is trying to block anime from the US

Fact-Check: "US Congress is trying to block anime from the US"

What We Know

The claim that the US Congress is attempting to ban anime has gained traction on social media, particularly on platforms like Reddit and X (formerly Twitter). However, there is no concrete evidence to support this assertion. The speculation seems to stem from discussions surrounding the proposed SCREEN Act, introduced by Congresswoman Mary Miller and Senator Mike Lee, which aims to protect children from online pornography through stricter age verification protocols. While the act focuses on adult content, it does not specifically target anime.

Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding Texas Senate Bill 20 (SB-20), which criminalizes the promotion of obscene visual material that appears to depict minors, including animated content. This bill's vague language has led to fears among anime fans that certain works could be affected, but it is important to note that this legislation is state-specific and does not equate to a nationwide ban on anime (Indulgent Express, Vocal Media).

Analysis

The rumors surrounding a potential ban on anime appear to be largely fueled by misinformation and fear stemming from legislative proposals that do not explicitly mention anime. The SCREEN Act, while it could indirectly impact some anime content due to its focus on age verification, does not aim to ban anime outright (Hindustan Times).

The concerns related to SB-20 are valid, as the bill's broad language could lead to unintended consequences for anime and manga content creators. However, this bill is confined to Texas and does not represent a federal initiative to ban anime across the United States (Fandom Wire).

The sources discussing these legislative actions vary in reliability. For instance, mainstream news outlets like Hindustan Times and Indulgent Express provide a more measured analysis of the situation, while social media posts often exaggerate the implications of these laws, leading to widespread panic among fans. The lack of a federal proposal to ban anime is consistently reported across credible sources, reinforcing the conclusion that the claim is unfounded.

Conclusion

The claim that the US Congress is trying to block anime from the US is False. While there are legislative proposals that could impact certain anime content, particularly at the state level in Texas, there is no federal initiative aimed at banning anime outright. The SCREEN Act does not specifically target anime, and the fears surrounding SB-20 are based on its vague language rather than a direct intent to censor anime nationwide. Therefore, the widespread panic regarding an anime ban appears to be largely unfounded.

Sources

1. H.R.791 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): Foreign Anti-Digital Piracy Act or FADPA
2. US Congress to ban anime? Speculations rise over proposed SCREEN Act
3. Is Anime at risk in the US? SCREEN Act Proposal sparks fan outrage
4. New Bill to Effectively Kill Anime & Other Piracy in the U.S
5. Will the US Ban Anime? What the United States Government Is Really Up To
6. Fact Check: Have any US politicians proposed bills to restrict anime and foreign media?
7. Government Admits its Censoring Anime and Gaming to ...
8. Fact Check: Is the USA Banning Anime?