In an Italian trial for a murder in which the victim was found in her bed with her throat slit a day after she wore a bloody vampire costume to a Halloween party, a prosecutor is arguing that a brutal slaying was inspired by a violent manga comic.

Manga also have been linked to a death in Belgium, in which a note found next to the victim's mutilated body referred to a Japanese comic called Death Note.

Manga also have been connected with the murder of British teacher Lindsay Hawker after piles of pornographic comics were found at the suspect's flat.

And let's not forget that Prime Minister Taro Aso is a manga fan...