Ian Wolf (He/Him)

Ian Wolf (He/Him)

@ianwolf.bsky.social

Anime & manga critic. Author of CLAMPdown (about manga group CLAMP) & reviewer for animeuknews.net Also administrator, radio guy & #edfringe review collector for comedy.co.uk. Has autism and anxiety.

398 followers522 following1.8K posts

Pinned

Ian Wolf (He/Him)
@ianwolf.bsky.social

Now we have pinned posts on BlueSky, I thought it best to set one up with links to my book. Paperback & Ebook www.amazon.co.uk/CLAMPdown-lo... Audiobook open.spotify.com/show/6wjigmB...

amazon.co.ukCLAMPdown: The lowdown on the biggest manga group going down written during lockdown: Humorous Guide to Japanese Manga and Anime by CLAMP eBook : Wolf, Ian: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle StoreCLAMPdown: The lowdown on the biggest manga group going down written during lockdown: Humorous Guide to Japanese Manga and Anime by CLAMP eBook : Wolf, Ian: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

Ian Wolf (He/Him) reposted

Leicester Gazette
@leicestergazette.leicester.news

Two University of Leicester students speak out over ‘absurd’ and ‘Orwellian’ decision by the BBC and ITV Studios to edit out pride pins worn on University Challenge

leicester.newsBBC edits out pride pins on University Challenge in ‘Orwellian’ move* * * This story was published by **The Leicester Gazette** : a local, independent newspaper about Leicestershire. 1,000 people have already joined our community. Just use those buttons below to download our app and **sign up for free**. * * * Astrophysics student Samuel Carlier and History student Emmeline Hague-Wright were shocked to find that their LGBTQ+ pride pins had been edited out of their University Challenge appearance earlier this year. The episode, initially scheduled for BBC Two on 24 August, was delayed twice before airing on 7 September 2026. The pins showed the progressive LGBTQ+ pride flag, the bisexual pride flag and a rainbow feather. Speaking to the Leicester Gazette, Sam said: “Living in a liberal democracy and having the state broadcaster tell you ‘we’re editing how you look’, seems very Orwellian.” Sam described the choice to remove the pins before broadcast as “weird” and “absurd”. He said: “[Censoring] that seemed weird. If I had worn a rainbow shirt, would they have censored that? If the idea is to keep things impartial, where is that line in the sand?” A side by-side image of Sam wearing the pin and with it having been digitally removed. Photograph: supplied Sam contacted the BBC to try to understand why his pins had been edited out. He told the Gazette: “The BBC people said they’d ring me, and I chased them, they just said go to the complaints website and file a complaint there, that’s what I did.” Since then, Sam hasn’t had a response from the BBC as to why his pins were removed. After the episode had aired, Sam noted that his shirt ‘melted’ into itself occasionally, as a result of the editing. Photograph: supplied ## Students believe the decision was made following online transphobia Emmeline was also shocked when she found out that the feather pin she wore was due to be removed from the episode she was in. It was understood by Emmeline that there was online transphobia in response to previous episode of University Challenge, and she had been contacted by the BBC, anticipating support from the broadcaster. When the BBC contacted her, instead of an offer of support, she was told her pin was going to be removed. “At first it was mostly confusion,” she said. “I heard that they had received a lot of nastiness online from people and I thought they were going to call me to say ‘we have support services if needed,’ and that wasn't what I got at all.” Instead, Emmeline was notified that the episodes were going to be delayed. “It was out of left field, I was confused for a while,” she said. “This entire delay has been because of a feather and two badges on a teammate that were basically impossible [for viewers] to see.” Emmeline had expressed her frustrations with the repeated delays from the BBC, spanning from mid-July to early-September. She said: “We were announced on the website and then delayed again, and then announced on the website a second time, and delayed even further. Speaking about the removal, she said: “It takes a lot of time” she said. “Making it [the edit] look good would be even more expensive and time-consuming. It seems like drastically a lot of effort.” ## Join the conversation Our app is more than just a way to keep up – it's a gateway to award-winning journalism and the local community. __Want to support our work?__ Click here for membership__.__ ## Wider criticism on LGBTQ+ support The pins Sam wore during the episode. Photograph: supplied According to leading LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall UK, two in five LGBTQ+ students will hide their identities at university for fear of discrimination. Stonewall has reported that more than 36 per cent of trans students have received hostile conduct from university staff due to their gender identity. Reflecting on the digital removal of the pins, Sam spoke about how disheartening the choice was. He said: “There was maybe like a span of eight years where someone could be uncontroversially out in the open queer – now that’s gone again.” he said. The BBC has also been widely criticised for ‘an attack on the LGBTQ+ community’ by pulling its involvement with the popular show, RuPaul's Drag Race. The broadcaster pulled its involvement in September following “significant financial pressures” as the reason for axing their involvement. The criticism follows another recent controversial edit by the BBC. On its hit show, Strictly Come Dancing, a decision was made to edit out ‘Protect the Dolls’ from contestant Bethany Antonia’s T-shirt. It’s a slogan which has become widely used to support the rights of trans women. The BBC defended their decision, saying the changes were made to meet editorial guidelines. It comes as the LGBTQ+ community has faced challenges amid an increasingly less tolerant political climate. ## What the BBC had to say When we asked them about editing out the pins worn by Leicester’s University Challenge team, a BBC spokesperson said: “In line with our editorial guidelines, we advise that no badges, flags, and emblems or symbols are worn or visible during filming, along with clothing with obvious branding or slogans. If such items are not removed for any reason then a decision is made between the programme makers and the BBC regarding any edits to the programme.” The BBC said the delays to the episode were unrelated to the decision to edit out the pins. A spokesperson for ITV Studios said: “University Challenge is an entertainment quiz show and is made in accordance with the BBC Editorial Guidelines requirements for impartiality.” The University of Leicester refused to comment on the matter. * * * **Before you go…** We’ve recently surpassed 1,000 subscribers, which is amazing considering we’re a small team on a shoestring budget. Now, we’re ready for the next stage of the Leicester Gazette. **Download our new app and get all of our journalism anytime, anywhere.** The app connects with **Bluesky** , **Mastodon** and **Threads** , giving you access to a network of around 60 million people. It’s a safer, more meaningful alternative to mainstream social media – owned by the community. * * *

Ian Wolf (He/Him) reposted

Rob MacWolf, Werewolf Hitchhiker
@robmacwolf.thevoice.dog

The BBC needs to be regarded as actively advocating for complete elimination of all LGBTQ people.

Leicester Gazette@leicestergazette.leicester.news

Two University of Leicester students speak out over ‘absurd’ and ‘Orwellian’ decision by the BBC and ITV Studios to edit out pride pins worn on University Challenge

leicester.newsBBC edits out pride pins on University Challenge in ‘Orwellian’ move* * * This story was published by **The Leicester Gazette** : a local, independent newspaper about Leicestershire. 1,000 people have already joined our community. Just use those buttons below to download our app and **sign up for free**. * * * Astrophysics student Samuel Carlier and History student Emmeline Hague-Wright were shocked to find that their LGBTQ+ pride pins had been edited out of their University Challenge appearance earlier this year. The episode, initially scheduled for BBC Two on 24 August, was delayed twice before airing on 7 September 2026. The pins showed the progressive LGBTQ+ pride flag, the bisexual pride flag and a rainbow feather. Speaking to the Leicester Gazette, Sam said: “Living in a liberal democracy and having the state broadcaster tell you ‘we’re editing how you look’, seems very Orwellian.” Sam described the choice to remove the pins before broadcast as “weird” and “absurd”. He said: “[Censoring] that seemed weird. If I had worn a rainbow shirt, would they have censored that? If the idea is to keep things impartial, where is that line in the sand?” A side by-side image of Sam wearing the pin and with it having been digitally removed. Photograph: supplied Sam contacted the BBC to try to understand why his pins had been edited out. He told the Gazette: “The BBC people said they’d ring me, and I chased them, they just said go to the complaints website and file a complaint there, that’s what I did.” Since then, Sam hasn’t had a response from the BBC as to why his pins were removed. After the episode had aired, Sam noted that his shirt ‘melted’ into itself occasionally, as a result of the editing. Photograph: supplied ## Students believe the decision was made following online transphobia Emmeline was also shocked when she found out that the feather pin she wore was due to be removed from the episode she was in. It was understood by Emmeline that there was online transphobia in response to previous episode of University Challenge, and she had been contacted by the BBC, anticipating support from the broadcaster. When the BBC contacted her, instead of an offer of support, she was told her pin was going to be removed. “At first it was mostly confusion,” she said. “I heard that they had received a lot of nastiness online from people and I thought they were going to call me to say ‘we have support services if needed,’ and that wasn't what I got at all.” Instead, Emmeline was notified that the episodes were going to be delayed. “It was out of left field, I was confused for a while,” she said. “This entire delay has been because of a feather and two badges on a teammate that were basically impossible [for viewers] to see.” Emmeline had expressed her frustrations with the repeated delays from the BBC, spanning from mid-July to early-September. She said: “We were announced on the website and then delayed again, and then announced on the website a second time, and delayed even further. Speaking about the removal, she said: “It takes a lot of time” she said. “Making it [the edit] look good would be even more expensive and time-consuming. It seems like drastically a lot of effort.” ## Join the conversation Our app is more than just a way to keep up – it's a gateway to award-winning journalism and the local community. __Want to support our work?__ Click here for membership__.__ ## Wider criticism on LGBTQ+ support The pins Sam wore during the episode. Photograph: supplied According to leading LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall UK, two in five LGBTQ+ students will hide their identities at university for fear of discrimination. Stonewall has reported that more than 36 per cent of trans students have received hostile conduct from university staff due to their gender identity. Reflecting on the digital removal of the pins, Sam spoke about how disheartening the choice was. He said: “There was maybe like a span of eight years where someone could be uncontroversially out in the open queer – now that’s gone again.” he said. The BBC has also been widely criticised for ‘an attack on the LGBTQ+ community’ by pulling its involvement with the popular show, RuPaul's Drag Race. The broadcaster pulled its involvement in September following “significant financial pressures” as the reason for axing their involvement. The criticism follows another recent controversial edit by the BBC. On its hit show, Strictly Come Dancing, a decision was made to edit out ‘Protect the Dolls’ from contestant Bethany Antonia’s T-shirt. It’s a slogan which has become widely used to support the rights of trans women. The BBC defended their decision, saying the changes were made to meet editorial guidelines. It comes as the LGBTQ+ community has faced challenges amid an increasingly less tolerant political climate. ## What the BBC had to say When we asked them about editing out the pins worn by Leicester’s University Challenge team, a BBC spokesperson said: “In line with our editorial guidelines, we advise that no badges, flags, and emblems or symbols are worn or visible during filming, along with clothing with obvious branding or slogans. If such items are not removed for any reason then a decision is made between the programme makers and the BBC regarding any edits to the programme.” The BBC said the delays to the episode were unrelated to the decision to edit out the pins. A spokesperson for ITV Studios said: “University Challenge is an entertainment quiz show and is made in accordance with the BBC Editorial Guidelines requirements for impartiality.” The University of Leicester refused to comment on the matter. * * * **Before you go…** We’ve recently surpassed 1,000 subscribers, which is amazing considering we’re a small team on a shoestring budget. Now, we’re ready for the next stage of the Leicester Gazette. **Download our new app and get all of our journalism anytime, anywhere.** The app connects with **Bluesky** , **Mastodon** and **Threads** , giving you access to a network of around 60 million people. It’s a safer, more meaningful alternative to mainstream social media – owned by the community. * * *

Ian Wolf (He/Him) reposted

Chris Addison
@mrchrisaddison.bsky.social

Ugh. The whiny needledicks pulling the handcart to hell. I’d take whatever “feminine energy” is over brittle masculinity any day. Go to therapy and leave us all alone, you broken boys.

@amybisinthewoods.bsky.social 🍄🍄‍🟫@amybdogsandfungi.bsky.social

“Palantir cofounder and CEO Alex Karp states ‘AI will undermine the influence of highly educated, often female voters and give it to working class men. We have feminine energy running our cities and our courts,’ he complained.”

futurism.comCEO of Palantir Says AI Will Seize Power Away From College-Educated WomenPalantir CEO Alex Karp said AI would disrupt "humanities trained" and "Democratic voters" who are largely women.

Ian Wolf (He/Him) reposted

Samantha Ferreira Is Back On Her Book Bullshit
@sam-animeherald.northsky.social

This is some genuine bullshit. SWers, trans folx, BIPOC people, and furries were the folks who made Bluesky such a great place to migrate to. The fact that the team just explicitly fucks them over at every opportunity, often in the most spiteful ways possible, is beyond fucking shameful.

This post is unavailable.

Ian Wolf (He/Him) reposted

Henry Morris
@mrhenrymorris.substack.com

I'm more of an Exxon Mobil guy myself

Dave Vetter@davidrvetter.bsky.social

Currently wondering what message the UK govt thought it was sending by dressing up the Minister for Net Zero in a literal Shell logo.

Ian Wolf (He/Him)
@ianwolf.bsky.social

Britain is being hit by Storm Austen, which must be the most melodramatic storm ever. No-one is being blown over on the wind, they’re just fainting at the site of someone passing the port the wrong way.

Ian Wolf (He/Him) reposted

Chibi Yuuto
@chibiyuuto.com

Just finished watching Magic Knight Rayearth episode 3 "Fated Companions". Episodes 1-3 fully cover volume 1 of the manga. This could mean a 1x3 ratio, meaning 3 episodes per volume (9 episodes total). But I do think we will have 1 or 2 episodes more towards the end of part 1. #CLAMP #Rayearth

Ian Wolf (He/Him) reposted

Ransom 🐈
@ransom.cat

Log into your eBay account and disable this toggle: accountsettings.ebay.ca/ai-preferences

accountsettings.ebay.caOpt-out from training of generative AI models
Kate Griffin@griffinkate.bsky.social

eBay users! Don't ignore today's email, even though it looks like a boring standard update to the User Privacy Notice. They want to use your data to train AI models. If you click the link over the words "the right to object", it takes you to a page with a toggle button letting you opt out.

Ian Wolf (He/Him) reposted

Anime UK News
@animeuknews.net

How Secure Is Your Access To Your Digital Titles? A Japanese Cyberattack Sounds the Alarm! As one of Japan's biggest cloud firms is hit with a cyberattack, eBook readers are… http://animeuknews.net/2026/10/how-secure-is-your-access-to-your-digital-titles-a-japanese-cyberattack-sounds-the-alarm/

animeuknews.netHow Secure Is Your Access To Your Digital Titles? A Japanese Cyberattack Sounds the Alarm!As one of Japan's biggest cloud firms is hit with a cyberattack, eBook readers are given a grim reminder of the accessability of their books in situations like this.

Ian Wolf (He/Him) reposted

Samantha Ferreira Is Back On Her Book Bullshit
@sam-animeherald.northsky.social

Gee, maybe that should be an indicator that this is the wrong direction, and that focusing on raw power when the slop machines THEY CHAMPIONED are consuming every last scrap of available computing resources to feed data centers that pollute the air and water.

engadget.comSony and Bandai get into bed with generative AI - EngadgetThe company also outlined AI’s role in the future of PlayStation.
VGC@videogameschronicle.com

PlayStation 6’s memory costs alone exceed $680 per console, it’s claimed, potentially suggesting an unprecedented price tag for the next-gen machine. www.videogameschronicle.com/news/playsta...

videogameschronicle.comPlayStation 6’s memory costs alone exceed $680 per console, it’s claimed | VGCHardware insider suggests next-gen costs could well cost more than $1,000…

Ian Wolf (He/Him) reposted

Private Eye Magazine
@privateeyenews.bsky.social

Eye Told You So… Ministers to send inspectors into Lord (Ben) Houchen’s Tees Valley authority over high debt, rising borrowing levels and its financial relationship with the publicly owned Teesside International Airport, according to the FT. Eye readers knew this already.

Ian Wolf (He/Him) reposted

Anne Applebaum
@anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu

The president of Brazil has won a court case against Meta, after accusing them of restricting his posts and algorithmically favoring his opponent, Flavio Bolsonaro www.nbcnews.com/world/south-...

nbcnews.comBrazil’s Lula wins electoral court challenge against Meta for alleged pro-Bolsonaro algorithm biasA judge ruled that the tech company must adopt measures to immediately secure equal treatment of the two presidential candidates ahead of an Oct. 25 runoff.
Ian Wolf (He/Him)
@ianwolf.bsky.social

This has to be the most heavy-handed symbolic attack I’ve ever seen: these settlers hate Palestinians so much they are burning olive branches, the internationally recognised symbol of peace.

🏳️‍🌈 🍉 Chuck Hamilton (he/him/his) 🏴‍☠️@natty4bumpo.bsky.social

www.reuters.com/world/middle...

reuters.comIsraeli settlers burn olive trees, injure journalist in West Bank attackClad in black and their faces masked, dozens of militant Israeli settlers burned olive trees and threw rocks at Palestinians in a coordinated attack on Friday on a ​West Bank village's annual harvest ...
Ian Wolf (He/Him)
@ianwolf.bsky.social

This came up on QI once. While Britain doesn't have Winnie-the-Pooh, it does have Fozzie Bear. Gyles Brandreth, who runs the Teddy Bear museum, has offered an exchange so that the UK's most famous bear comes to the UK & the USA's most famous bear comes to the USA. www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEB-...

youtube.comWhy Miss Piggy Punched Sandi Toksvig | QIYouTube video by QI
James McLeod@jamespmcleod.ca

The British would like to have an important cultural artifact returned to their possession. www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/1...

Ian Wolf (He/Him)
@ianwolf.bsky.social

More proof of how transphobic Britain is becoming. New laws welcomed by the heinous Sex Matters. An appeal is underway but won’t be heard until next year.

Unofficial BBCNews (UK) Bot@bbcnews-uk-rss.bsky.social

Trans people should use hospital spaces according to biological sex, NHS England says

bbc.co.ukTrans people should use hospital spaces according to biological sex, NHS England saysNew guidance says trans patients should be cared for on single-sex hospital wards or bays that align with their biological sex.