>>255815
Yes, fictional child pornography is illegal in the UK. Under UK law, it’s not just real images of children that are prohibited—fictional depictions, such as drawings, cartoons, or computer-generated images, can also be illegal. The key legislation here is the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, specifically Section 62, which criminalizes the possession of "prohibited images of children." These are defined as images that are pornographic, depict a child (anyone under 18), and are considered "grossly offensive, disgusting, or otherwise of an obscene character." This explicitly includes non-photographic material like manga, anime, or other drawn or virtual content.
This builds on earlier laws, like the Protection of Children Act 1978, which originally targeted real photographs and was later expanded to cover "pseudo-photographs" (realistic images derived from photos or made to look real). The 2009 Act went further to ensure that even purely fictional depictions fall under the ban, regardless of whether a real child was involved. The reasoning often cited is that such material could fuel harmful behavior or be used to groom children, though this is debated due to the lack of direct victims.
For example, in 2014, a man was convicted in the UK for possessing explicit manga images of fictional children—his sentence was suspended, but the case set a precedent. Penalties can be severe: up to three years in prison for possession of these prohibited images, or up to ten years if it involves making or distributing them under related laws. So, whether it’s a drawing or a digital render, if it meets the criteria of being pornographic and obscene, it’s illegal to possess, create, or share in the UK.
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