Acceptance of LGBT Comics and Animation among Public University Students in Malaysia

Aug 24, 2026

Upload by Mia

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) remains a sensitive topic in Malaysia, particularly for Malays and Muslims due to perceived moral and religious prohibitions. This paper investigates the views of Japanese language students in five public universities who read or watch LGBT-genre Japanese comics and animations. A survey of 280 respondents shows limited exposure: 22.5% read such content, 19.3% stopped, and 58.2% have never engaged. The study aims to inform community and parental guidance and explain student perspectives.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Background of Japanese popular culture in Malaysia

Internet access and availability of anime/manga

LGBT as a controversial topic in Malaysia

Purpose and objectives

Community and parental guidance

Understanding respondents’ views

Journal of Positive School Psychology [http://journalppw.com](http://journalppw.com) [2022](2022), [Vol](Vol). 6, No. 4, 1012-1021 Acceptance of LGBT Comics and Animation among Public University Students in Malaysia Roswati Abdul Rashid Universiti Malaysia Terengganu [roswati@umt.edu.my](roswati@umt.edu.my) Roslina Mamat Universiti Putra Malaysia [linamm@upm.edu.my](linamm@upm.edu.my) Rokiah Paee Universiti Malaysia Sarawak [prokiah@unimas.my](prokiah@unimas.my) Asmadi Hassan Universiti Malaya [madisan@um.edu.my](madisan@um.edu.my) Muhd Zulkifli Ismail Universiti Putra Malaysia [zulismail@upm.edu.my](zulismail@upm.edu.my) Normah Ahmad [norma698@salam.uitm.edu.my](norma698@salam.uitm.edu.my) Universiti Teknologi Mara Abstract Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) has always been a sensitive topic in Malaysia, especially among the Malays and Muslims. In terms of morals and religion, LGBT is prohibited and taboo to debate because it can be a sensitive issue to other races and religions. Japanese animation and comics have a specific theme or genre for the LGBT community and its fans. This paper attempts to understand the views of Japanese language students at five Public Universities (UA) who read or watch LGBT-genre Japanese comics and animations. The survey was distributed to the target respondents, and 280 respondents answered the survey. The results of this study are part of the author's research data. The study results showed that 22.5% of the respondents read Japanese comics or animations of the gay or lesbian genre, 19.3% have stopped reading or watching comics or animations of this genre and 58.2% have never read such a genre. The percentage indicates that almost half of the study respondents have been exposed to this negative phenomenon. The objective of this study is to identify lesbian and gay genre comics and animated titles as a community and parental guide. The second objectiveisto examine the respondents’views so that the public understands why they are involvedin such a case. Keywords: anime, boy’s love, Japanese, LGBT, manga, public university Introduction It is common knowledge that Japanese is oneof the most popular foreign language in Malaysia and worldwide. Japanese popular culture became popular in the 1990s with Japanese drama and animation on Malaysian television screens. Among the popular Japanese dramas in Malaysia were Oshin and Great Teacher Onizuka (GTO) in the 1990s. Interestingly, these two dramas are still screened in several countries and are accepted by the society as they share a similar war background and schooling world in other countries. Among the popular Japanese animations are Conan and Crayon Shinchan. The popular Japanese language and culture are in demand today, especially among teenagers, whether university or high school students. © 2021 JPPW. All rights reserved 1013 Journal of Positive School Psychology With the development of technology and the relatively rapid and widespread internet coverage in Malaysia, Japanese animation (anime) and comics (manga) began to 'enter'Malaysia on a large scale. Japanese manga can be downloaded through various websites, especially from outside Malaysia. The same goes for anime, where various fandoms run multiple websites to promote different types and genres of anime and comics and diverse other Japanese cultures such as cosplay and food. Fandom refers to fans interested in someone (especially an idol), a group or a particular drama or anime series. As an example of South Korean popular culture (KPop), the most popular for BTS is the'army'. Someone interested in more than one person or one group are known as multifandom. Japan is indeed known for its hard-working, punctual, clean and polite people. After the end of the Second World War, Japanbecame a developed country in a short time because of the discipline of its people and the heartbreaking experience of losing the war. The J

FAQs

Why is LGBT content considered sensitive in Malaysia?

LGBT is viewed as prohibited and taboo to debate because of its perceived conflict with morals and religion, and because it is considered a sensitive issue among races and religions.

How much exposure do public university students in the study report to LGBT-genre anime or manga?

Among 280 respondents, 22.5% reported reading LGBT-genre Japanese comics or animations, 19.3% said they stopped, and 58.2% indicated they have never read or watched such content.

What are the main objectives of the paper?

The objectives are to identify lesbian and gay genre comics and animated titles as part of a community and parental guide, and to examine respondents’ views so the public can understand why students are involved with such content.

Aug 24, 2026

Upload by Mia