Tokyopop introducing comprehensive rating system

ICv2 brings news of Tokyopop's plans to provide a better, more in-depth rating system for graphic novels:

Tokyopop's new ratings guide will include more than 40 content indicators divided among five age ranges. In Fall 2007, a general set of content indicators in addition to the ratings icon will be printed on the cover of each new series. The new system will provide prospective buyers with far more information about a book's content than the previous system (that Tokyopop pioneered), which simply provided the age rating alone.

The ratings will be divided into five categories, namely: "A" for All Ages, "Y" for 10+, "T" for 13+, OT for 16+, and "M" for 18+. But that's not all. Each of these categories is further divided into sub-categories that indicate the factors involved with a particular product's rating. Hit the jump to check out the various content indicators.


A = All Ages

Cartoon Violence

Potty Humor

Slapstick Humor


Y = 10+

Mild Language

Fantasy Violence

Bullying


T = Teens 13+

Moderate Language

Aggression

Mild Violence

Mild Gore

Crude Humor

Sexual Innuendo

Mild Sexual language

Non-sexual Nondescript Nudity

Mild Sexuality/Sexual Themes

Mild Fanservice

Tobacco Use/Reference

Alcohol Reference

Illegal Drug Reference

Occultism


OT = Older Teens 16+

Strong Language

Moderate Sexual Language

Moderate Violence

Moderate Sexual Violence

Moderate Gore

Non-sexual Partial Nudity

Non-sexual - Full Body Nudity

Sexual-Partial Nudity

Sexual Nondescript Nudity

Sexual Humor

Representation of Pornography

Moderate Sexuality/Sexual Themes

Moderate Fanservice

Alcohol Use

Illegal Drug Use


M = Mature 18 + (shrink wrapped; content advisory label on cover)

Excessive Language

Explicit Sexual Language

Intense Violence

Explicit Sexual Violence

Excessive Gore

Sexual Full Body Nudity

Explicit Sexuality/Sexual Themes

Incest

Explicit fanservice

I'm glad to see Tokyopop's being sensible about this. I admit, I was rather surprised to see "full body nudity" under 16+. Occultism, on the other hand, is under 13+ ... not that I'm complaining, mind you. I'm just saying occultism is one of those things that freaks the hell out of people -- no matter what age they may be -- at times, regardless of whether or not it involves gore, sex or human sacrifices (me being one of them).

It's also interesting how TP's content indicators suggest that "fanservice" is a common enough term to be used for the community. Anyhow, this is awesome news. A more comprehensive rating system means less complaining from whiny, ignorant parents about "Adult" material in certain series.