The manga Please Put Them On, Takamine-san, has become the center of a heated debate among both fans and critics. While some readers praise its boldness and unique storytelling, others are calling it out for relying too heavily on explicit sexuality and fan service.
The controversy has grown to the point where questions are being raised about whether the series should be considered art or dismissed as sensationalism meant to shock and attract attention.
The story follows Shirota, a high school student who discovers the unusual ability of his classmate Takamine. She possesses a magical power that allows her to reset time, but in order to activate this power, she must remove an article of clothing.
This setup quickly became the heart of the manga’s identity, blending supernatural elements with constant fan service moments. While this unusual premise makes it stand out from more typical school romance or fantasy stories, it has also fueled criticism about the direction of the series and how it uses sexuality as a narrative device.
Supporters of the manga argue that its boldness is part of its charm. They point out that Takamine’s powers and the risks of her ability add layers of tension and creativity to the plot. For them, the mix of humor, drama, and sexual tension is not just cheap fan service but an intentional part of the story’s unique style.
Some even claim that the series is satirical, poking fun at the tropes often found in school romance or fantasy manga while delivering something unexpected.
Please Put Them On, Takamine-san Franchise (Credits: Yuichi Hiiragi)
Critics SlamPlease Put Them On, Takamine-sanfor Heavy Fanservice and Explicit Themes
Critics, however, strongly disagree. Many have expressed concerns that the series crosses the line between playful fan service and outright exploitation of adult themes. They argue that the sexual content often overshadows the plot, reducing the characters to little more than tools for provocative scenarios. For these readers, Please Put Them On.
Takamine-san represents a troubling trend in manga where shock value and explicit content are prioritized over meaningful storytelling.
The debate has only grown louder as the manga continues to gain attention both in Japan and overseas. Some fans defend the story as harmless entertainment that is not meant to be taken too seriously.
Others view it as part of a larger problem in the industry, where sexualization of characters is often normalized, even in series targeted toward younger audiences. This clash of perspectives has fueled countless online discussions, with both sides refusing to back down.
A major part of the controversy comes from how the series portrays its lead character, Takamine. She is presented as confident, powerful, and in control, which some readers find empowering. However, critics argue that this empowerment is undermined by how often the narrative places her in situations designed to titillate the audience rather than develop her character.
This tension has made her one of the most divisive heroines in recent manga, admired by some and criticized by others.
Debate Rages Over Whether Takamine-san Manga Is Art or Just Sensationalism
The line between art and sensationalism has always been a blurry one in manga and anime. Many beloved works contain fan service or adult themes, but what makes Please Put Them On, Takamine-san different is how central these elements are to the premise itself.
Unlike series where fanservice is secondary, in this manga, it becomes inseparable from the story, making it hard for readers to ignore or dismiss. For critics, this reliance suggests that the series is more interested in exploiting sexuality rather than meaningful ideas. For fans, it is exactly this unapologetic boldness that makes the story memorable.
This controversy also reflects a larger cultural debate about how manga balances creativity, audience demand, and responsibility. Some argue that as long as readers enjoy the content, there is nothing wrong with using sexuality as a driving force in a story.
Please Put Them On, Takamine-san Franchise (Credits: Yuichi Hiiragi)
Others counter that creators should be mindful of how their work contributes to broader issues, such as the oversexualization of female characters in media. The lack of consensus ensures that discussions around Takamine and her story will continue for as long as the manga is published.
In the end, Please Put Them On, Takamine-san has become more than just a quirky manga about a girl with a strange power. It has turned into a flashpoint for debates about artistic freedom, exploitation, and the role of sexuality in storytelling. Whether readers see it as daring and stylish or shallow and exploitative often depends on their personal views about the boundaries of art.
What cannot be denied is that the manga has made a strong impression. By blending supernatural powers with bold fanservice, it forces readers to confront where they draw the line between entertainment and exploitation. Love it or hate it, the series has sparked conversation, and that, in itself, may be proof that it has achieved one of art’s most important goals: making people think and debate.
Kadokawa, one of Japan’s largest and most influential anime producers, has been making headlines with its growing international ambitions. Recently, the company stated that it “must also consider” creating anime that appeals more directly to Western audiences.
In particular, the producer pointed to genres such as zombie and vampire stories, which remain extremely popular among viewers outside Japan. This comment reflects how the anime industry is becoming more globalized, with Japanese studios adapting their strategies to meet the tastes of a worldwide audience.
For decades, Kadokawa has been a major force in anime, manga, and light novels. Its portfolio includes some of the most recognizable titles, and it has built a strong reputation for adapting successful written works into animated hits.
But as anime’s popularity continues to grow around the world, the expectations of international fans are becoming increasingly important. While Japanese audiences still shape the core of the industry, the Western market now plays a huge role in determining which titles find long-lasting success.
In this context, Kadokawa’s statement is not surprising. The company recognizes that genres such as zombie and vampire stories have always had a strong following outside Japan. In Western entertainment, films, television shows, and novels based on these themes have thrived for decades.
From classics like Dracula and Night of the Living Dead to modern hits like The Walking Dead and Twilight, these themes continue to attract loyal fans. By considering more anime within these genres, Kadokawa is acknowledging the cultural preferences of Western viewers while still aiming to deliver stories with a Japanese creative touch.
Zombie Land Saga Franchise (Credits: Kadokawa)
Kadokawa Eyes Western Fans with Plans for Zombie and Vampire Anime
The idea of producing anime with Western tastes in mind has sparked debate among fans. Supporters argue that it makes sense for a company as large as Kadokawa to expand its reach by tailoring content to global audiences.
Anime is no longer just a Japanese phenomenon; it has become a global cultural force. Shows like Attack on Titan, Death Note, and Castlevania have proven that darker, horror-themed stories can find massive success in international markets. By producing more titles with themes such as zombies and vampires, Kadokawa could tap into this demand and further solidify its position as a global leader in the industry.
On the other hand, some fans worry that too much focus on Western preferences could dilute the unique qualities of anime. They argue that part of what makes anime so appealing worldwide is its distinctly Japanese style of storytelling, culture, and artistry. If companies start prioritizing Western tastes too heavily, there is a fear that anime could lose some of its originality and charm. For these fans, balance is key: global expansion should not come at the expense of what makes anime special in the first place.
Kadokawa’s statement also highlights a larger shift in how anime is produced and distributed. Streaming platforms like Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Disney+ have made anime more accessible than ever before, introducing millions of new fans to the medium.
As a result, Japanese studios are under increasing pressure to create shows that resonate not only at home but also abroad. This new environment means that global market trends are shaping production decisions in ways that were unthinkable just a decade ago.
The focus on zombie and vampire themes could also be seen as part of a larger strategy to diversify anime genres. While isekai stories, fantasy worlds, and slice-of-life comedies have dominated recent years, horror and supernatural elements offer fresh opportunities. These genres allow for visually striking animation, tense storytelling, and emotional depth, all of which can appeal to both Japanese and international viewers. If handled well, such projects could bring innovation back to the medium while still meeting market demands.
Top Anime Producer Pushes Global Expansion by Considering Western Tastes
Kadokawa’s willingness to publicly discuss this strategy shows how open the company is about its ambitions. By mentioning Western preferences directly, the producer is sending a clear message that it wants to strengthen its international reach and maintain relevance in a rapidly changing entertainment landscape.
It also reveals the growing recognition that anime is no longer niche in Western countries. Instead, it is a mainstream part of global entertainment culture, shaping everything from fashion and music to streaming platforms’ content strategies.
The coming years will likely reveal how Kadokawa plans to balance Japanese storytelling traditions with Western genre preferences. If successful, the company could set a model for how anime studios expand globally without losing their identity.
Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress Franchise (Credits: Kadokawa)
If not, it risks alienating both domestic fans and international audiences who value authenticity. Either way, the conversation sparked by this statement shows how important the global audience has become to anime’s future.
In the end, Kadokawa’s consideration of producing zombie and vampire anime for Western fans highlights the challenges and opportunities of globalization. Anime’s growing international influence cannot be ignored, and companies must find ways to meet diverse expectations while staying true to their roots.
For fans, this could mean an even greater variety of stories and genres in the years to come. Whether focused on traditional Japanese themes or global favorites like zombies and vampires, one thing is certain: anime’s reach will only continue to grow, and companies like Kadokawa are at the forefront of this expansion.
