Hello Kitty company cuts ties with Japanese spy show after China outcry
Sanrio ends association with Netflix TV drama Vivant after Chinese state media decried portrayal of ruthless Chinese agents as a ‘deliberate smear’ The company behind the successful Hello Kitty franchise has apologised and ended its commercial tie-up with a Japanese TV drama after Chinese state media and netizens condemned the show’s “deliberate smears” against their country. Sanrio, a Japanese…
Sanrio, the company behind the popular Hello Kitty franchise, has severed its commercial tie with the Japanese TV drama Vivant after facing backlash from Chinese state media and netizens. The drama, produced by Japan's TBS network, has been criticized for its portrayal of Chinese agents using "ruthless violence" to torture members of Japan's self-defense forces.
Chinese media called it a "deliberate smear" against Beijing, claiming the torture methods depicted were reminiscent of those used by Japanese troops during World War II. Sanrio's statement acknowledged receiving the feedback seriously and vowed to enhance their review processes for future collaborations. The drama's second season, set in a fictional Central Asian country, avoided controversy in its first season.
Sanrio, a global brand with Hello Kitty as its flagship character, reported a 40% increase in revenue from China in the first half of the year, reaching 781 million yuan ($117 million).
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