September 09, 2025

Manga Library Fined as "Destructive"


Manga Library Fined as "Destructive"
Manga Library Immanuel Giel, Wikimedia Commons

Mangalib, a Russian online manga library, has been heavily fined by Moscow’s Tagansky District Court for violating Russia’s expansive ban of “LGBT propaganda.” Mangalib was targeted for seven specific comics in their library, incurring fines totaling R14 million (around $170,000).

Mediazona reported that Mangalib Project Manager Ivan Kvast had accumulated personal fines totaling one million rubles ($12,3000) for related offenses prior to this major fine. The website had taken steps earlier in the summer to regulate content, introducing a complaince mechanism through which users could report “propaganda.” But Mangalib’s library of work is user-uploaded, making total regulation a difficult process.

Russia’s media and internet censorship agency, Roskomnadzor, listed the titles of the seven comics it found to be problematic, along with the reasoning behind their censorship. Among the works was “Banana Fish,” an extremely popular series serialized from 1985-1994 and considered influential in the depiction of male homosexuality in manga. The comic features a central relationship between two male characters, which is never explicitly romantic but commonly accepted as homoerotic. This relationship is stated as the reason for the fine.

Also among the comics cited as dangerous is one without any homosexual themes at all. The comic “Fujoshi Haru-chan wa Osake Suki” was penalized for its cover art, which Roskomnador states is depicting two men positioned as if about to kiss. In court, this claim was actively disputed, as one of the aforementioned characters was female. This manga still elicited a fine.

Since being fined, Mangalib has begun to strengthen its regulation measures. It is as yet unclear how effective such measures are or will be. The most popular manga currently in Mangalib’s library is “One Piece,” a work of over 100 volumes which, in its vast history, has featured characters with canonical transgender identities, as well as characters considered queer-coded. With Russia’s censorship regulations often both stringent and arbitrary, Mangalib and other online libraries will likely continue to face significant penalties.  

You Might Also Like

Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Woe From Wit (bilingual)
June 20, 2017

Woe From Wit (bilingual)

One of the most famous works of Russian literature, the four-act comedy in verse Woe from Wit skewers staid, nineteenth century Russian society, and it positively teems with “winged phrases” that are essential colloquialisms for students of Russian and Russian culture.

Murder and the Muse
December 12, 2016

Murder and the Muse

KGB Chief Andropov has tapped Matyushkin to solve a brazen jewel heist from Picasso’s wife at the posh Metropole Hotel. But when the case bleeds over into murder, machinations, and international intrigue, not everyone is eager to see where the clues might lead.

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

Little Golden Calf
February 01, 2010

Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.

Faith & Humor
December 01, 2011

Faith & Humor

A book that dares to explore the humanity of priests and pilgrims, saints and sinners, Faith & Humor has been both a runaway bestseller in Russia and the focus of heated controversy – as often happens when a thoughtful writer takes on sacred cows. The stories, aphorisms, anecdotes, dialogues and adventures in this volume comprise an encyclopedia of modern Russian Orthodoxy, and thereby of Russian life.

About Us

Russian Life is the 31-year-old publication of an award-winning publishing house that also creates books, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955