Including Manga, it's the last medium that independent creators can earn a living in.

Comic books are dead, they've been fully corrupted.

Manga/Anime has since resisted that corruption, but it is getting hit by other schemes.

If Anime and Manga go, so too goes any avenue for independent story-tellers to make a living.

Anime matters. A lot, especially for the Japanese people.

Aside from the cultural importance, legally it sets a precedent that fully extends into censoring creative works.

You can't draw that! It's not in line with the Ministry of Truth's teaching!

Perish the thought, that a mere sketch can get you fined or in jail.

If they pass laws to prohibit drawn works, it also will extend into meme-creation, which is our bread-and-butter.

This is a big deal, otherwise they wouldn't be putting so many resources towards it this late in the game. They need a foot in the door statute in order to censor creative works, and an Anime ban fits the bill.