Tory MP Lambasts UK Academic for Research on Anime Erotica

Tory MP Lambasts UK Academic for Research on Anime Erotica

MANCHESTER, U.K. — Tory MP Neil O’Brien launched an attack Tuesday on humanities education in U.K. universities, specifically singling out the University of Manchester for allowing a Ph.D. student's research on Japanese cartoon erotica.

O’Brien condemned University of Manchester researcher Karl Andersson's work on the shota genre of Japanese comic books, which, according to a Daily Telegraph report published Wednesday, center around young male characters “depicted in a ‘suggestive or erotic’ manner.”

The University of Manchester abstract for Andersson’s project mentions his interest in understanding how individuals “experience sexual pleasure when reading shota.” 

“Why should hard-working taxpayers in my constituency have to pay for an academic to write about his experiences masturbating to Japanese porn?” the Tory MP demanded on Twitter. “The non-STEM side of higher education is just much too big, producing too much that is not socially useful.”

O’Neil attached to the tweet a screen capture of the title to Andersson’s paper, “I Am Not Alone — We Are All Alone: Using Masturbation as an Ethnographic Method in Research on ‘Shota’ Subculture in Japan.”

Andersson, the Telegraph reported, is researching “how fans of subcultural comics in Japan experience desire and think about sexual identities, especially in regards to fictional and actual realities.”

The University of Manchester, whose School of Arts, Languages and Cultures is funding Andersson’s research, told the Telegraph that “the recent publication in Qualitative Research of the work of a student, now registered for a PhD, has raised significant concerns and complaints which we are taking very seriously. We are currently undertaking a detailed investigation into all aspects of their work, the processes around it and other questions raised. It is very important that we look at the issues in-depth.”

Main Image: Tory MP Neil O’Brien and a still from shota anime title “My Hero Academia.”

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

ImLive Launches Revamped Member Loyalty Program

Cam platform ImLive has revamped its member loyalty program.

GoFundMe Set Up for Danny Ferretti's Medical Expenses

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for Fangear founder Danny Ferretti, who requires extensive lung surgery.

Byborg Acquires Cuties AI

Byborg Enterprises has acquired adult artificial intelligence startup Cuties AI.

Irish Government Releases Report on Sex Work Decriminalization Legislation

The Irish government has released a report reviewing a 2017 law that decriminalized sex work across the country.

Texas Bill Would Require Age Verification for Online Sex Toy Sales

A new bill in the Texas state legislature would require online retailers to implement age verification of purchasers before selling “obscene devices” to anyone in that state.

New York Assemblyman Proposes Banning the Term 'Sex Work'

Republican New York Assembly Member Brian Maher has introduced a bill to prohibit the use of the term "sex work" in government documents.

Age Verification Watch: Michigan Joins the AV Club, Some Laws Just Make No Sense

This roundup provides an update on the latest news and developments on the age verification front as it impacts the adult industry.

Free Speech Groups Back SCOTUS Appeal of Georgia Strip Club Tax

Two civil liberties organizations filed an amicus brief Tuesday supporting a petition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear an appeal in a case involving whether a tax specifically aimed at adult entertainment establishments violates the First Amendment.

Creator Networking App 'Plaiir' Launches

Plaiir, a mobile networking app for creators, has officially launched.

Swedish Court Rules LELO Products Do Not Infringe 'Invalid' Satisfyer Patent

A Swedish district court has ruled that a patent filed by Satisfyer parent company EIS GmbH is not valid, and therefore three products from pleasure brand LELO are not in violation.

Show More