Thoughts on the sexualization of anime characters

I don't know if this thread can be considered NSFW, but yeah, you're here so you know what you're getting yourself into.

Several days ago, my friend who hates anime (or simply does not like and does not enjoy it), asked me a question:

Why does Japan sexualize "cartoon characters" so much.

He goes on to ask the same thing in regards to hentai (as in the "genre", not the word), adding that he won't actually fap to said material because "it is basically a drawing of a naked girl, basically pedophilia" (to which I replied with: The legal age to have intercourse in Japan is 13). This gave me the idea for this thread and I wanted to know why people...fap to drawings of naked girls.

My other friend had an interesting explanation. He said that it was more "realistic" compared to other cartoons such as Sponge Bob and Simpsons. He said said that people do sexualize those franchises as well and that anime, they way the characters are drawn are more realistic compared to others.

I commented with cloppers but we won't have a MLP war in here.

So, my small story is done here and I want to hear your thoughts on the matter. I want an answer on at least one of these subjects:

1) Why can people enjoy hentai.
2) What makes hentai fappable.
3) The difference between anime sexualization and (other) cartoon sexualization
4) Does Japan over do their fanservice?
5) Drawn VS Real Life

Note: When I say other cartoon sexualization, I can refer to fanservice in general or fan-made art that depicts intercourse between two characters.

Thanks for remaining civil about this, I know that this might be a tough topic to talk about but whatever happens in this thread, stays in this thread.

Or it might outright be deleted and get me banned. In that case, it has been a pleasure talking with you.

Thoughts on the sexualization of anime characters