What's the legality of hentai with underage characters?

So I'm a pretty avid hentai viewer, and of course it extends into H-manga, H-games, rule34, 3DCG porn, and fanart as well. I'm sure all hentai/rule34 fans are aware that many fanarts, doujinshi, and other H-media often contain underage characters. Whether it's fan works of canonically underage characters (Yoko Littner, Matoi Ryuko, etc etc), or original works with characters that appear to look underage (loli/shota stuffs), it's very prominent. After some recent research into CP laws in the States, I've gotten even more confused. The law isn't super clear on virtual/simulated child pornography, and there's no solid verdict on its legality (it varies by state and how obscene it is). I've developed mild to moderate anxiety regarding this since then, and am constantly afraid that one day the FBI will come knocking on my door with a search warrant, that someone's out to get me. Reddit has banned underage content from its 18+ subreddits, so I'm really starting to believe that it's become illegal. Deleting any hentai that I have on my harddrive won't help since authorities can still recover that shit, along with your browsing activities. I'm so paranoid that I'm considering permanently leaving hentai/rule34 altogether, and going back to normal porn. So what really is the legality of hentai that depict (sometimes seemingly) underage characters? What would be considered obscene? Honestly, I'm just look for some assurance, along with an actual answer. This is regarding in California by the way, more specifically LA and Riverside. Sorry if this has been posted before.

Thank you so much for replying. I was already informed of the different laws and acts regarding this, but it's just such a grey area that it's causing me unnecessary stress. I'm not afraid of getting in trouble for normal hentai, it's the seemingly underage artworks that's concerning me. Even just viewing it gets me paranoid no, such as on large websites like Pixiv. I do live in California, so should I take that as a "yes lolicon/underage hentai is allowed as long as it's not obscene?"

Thanks, I do feel a bit better now. I'm personally not into loli stuffs, but a lot of artworks that I do like still contain underage (under 18) characters, such as Love Live and pretty much anything set in high school.
Are you into loli content? Where do you live? Have you ever run into any trouble regarding underage content?

Were they stuff that was bought legally? (i.e. imported vs local)

I see. I guess the fact that it was purchased legally in California means that it's definitely allowed here. However, it has a disclaimer that stated all the characters in the work were the age of majority or older. Does this make a difference? Are all H-works obligated to state this? (if you know?) Does fan-translated and other fan works have to state this to avoid legal trouble? (ex. rule34 stuffs)

Thanks for the reassurance. For stuff that's not officially licensed in the States and doesn't have the age disclaimer, would they still be okay to view and/or possess? i.e. stuff you see on Pixiv, rule34 imageboards, reddit, etc.


That's a great reassurance, can't believe I've never discovered that before. So all in all, anything that's a fictional artwork is fair game (hentai, manga, 3DCG, games, etc), as long as it's not judged as obscene?

Alright, thanks. I feel much better now about this, since all of my stuff is hentai/rule34.