spedler, I guess we have to agree to disagree. :-)

I understand that for you realism is an essential factor for classifying something as violent. For me, it's not, it's only part of the equation but surely not the deciding factor.

See here what the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America, who rates the movies in USA and who has an international counterpart, MPA) says about something similar, in their site:

Q: Is cartoon violence assessed differently than realistic violence?
A: In reviewing a movie, the Rating Board will seek to assign the rating that most American parents would assign that same movie, keeping in mind various factors, including the level of violence. The realism of the violence may be one of the considerations. However, simply because a motion picture is animated does not mean that it is appropriate for children of any age. In fact, animated motion pictures have been assigned ratings from G to NC-17.