Now for the dubious analogy : Everybody knows murder is a bad thing, in most cases, you shouldn't kill anybody because taking a life is not a trivial thing and can hurt a lot of people, even the one who accomplishes the act. However, there are numerous stories/medium glorifying the act depending on the context, painting it as something justified or even positive, and are critically acclaimed and accepted by many - mostly to cater to (for some of us) our inner anger, some kind of cathartic stuff to expel any violent urges, or just to let off steam after a stressful day. Those films didn't make murder or murderers more accepted in society, I assume it's the same for lolicon stories; so why censor them?
I guess it's an unpopular opinion and most people will keep seeing those stories as a way to make paedophilia acceptable (since there are still people believing videogames makes you into a mass murdering psychopath) so, in the end, it will probably be censored.
Hm. I don't really disagree, but think that’s a somewhat grey area, as there are some very different stories out there in this “genre”.
This one is pretty harmless in my opinion. Mimika is very much conscious of the boundaries, which after all still apply to herself as well, seeing as she is also rather young. Many young couples do not jump over the line that requires Romeo and Juliet laws for a long time, with relationships lasting years before they become consummated in any form (if ever, although media can play a role here). Her level of infatuation is, of course, displayed as somewhat over the top, but it always feels as if she is essentially at risk of dying from cuteness overload, rather than going down a much more questionable route.
The grey area is one that may be argued to function as a catharsis, with characters so over the top or caricatured that it cannot be taken entirely seriously (e.g. most NSFW Lucky Star doujins on this site). It is a “safe” projection of fantasies, as it does not link back to real life. Think Lester Burnham’s reaction in “American Beauty” (1) when he and Angela, the cheerleader from his daughter’s class onto which he had projected his fantasies, are suddenly in a corresponding real-world scenario: a few simple words from her shatter his fantasy, making him realise that she is still only as mature as his 16yo daughter (if that), and he stops his advances. It is that sudden gulf between fantasy and reality that acts as a real-life safety system.
Other stories… Well. While I can follow the cathartic argument in the case of the grey area, there are some manga out there that cross a line. For example, there is not enough brain bleach to ever let me read Prism innocently again after making the grievous error of looking up some of Shou’s other works; some of which contain parts that are almost instructions of how to groom and “train” kids (the excellent drawing style does not help - and no, do not make the same mistake I did). Those types of things are beyond something that can be excused as cathartic for readers, going into the territory of inspiration and a how-to-guide, and some of the stuff out there makes Shou's worst seem harmless and reasonable. That stuff can indeed be dangerous, in particular for those who are already prone to being susceptible (2). It is also illegal in most countries.
As said at the beginning, in my mind Yuzumori-san is in the "mostly harmless" category; and so far, Ejima Eri has managed to skirt that edge rather well. Hopefully that continues.
(1) and yes, from today’s perspective, and in particular in this context, it is rather unfortunate that Kevin Spacey played that role, but it is the most prominent example I could think of
(2) herein lies the risk with the whole “video games create psychopaths” argument. They can indeed be harmful to those who are already walking that path, with some very few exceptions cynically catering to that part of the market. The bulk of games fall squarely into the other two categories, rendering them a form of entertainment that allows you to get rid of aggression, rather than plan some murder spree. Movies are very similar in that regard.
