This book addresses the criminalisation of sexually explicit material depicting or describing fictitious characters who appear to be children. It is the first book of its kind to specifically examine the expansion of the law to include fictional representations of children, focusing on the law in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.


The author explores the potential criminalisation of comics and subgenres of manga that frequently depict childlike characters in a sexual context. Of course, the need to protect children from harm outweighs freedom of expression and the right to privacy; however, this argument is complicated by the material being purely fictional. Does prohibiting the fictional representation of minors interfere with individual freedoms?


Based on a detailed socio-legal study, this book extensively analyses literature and pertinent theories of criminalisation, such as the Harm Principle, Offense Principle, and Legal Moralism. The book will be an invaluable resource for academics and students in various disciplines, including law, criminology, sociology, and psychology. It will also be of interest to fans of fantasy fiction.