Ani-One Asia Removes Chainsmoker Cat Anime Due to Regulatory Concerns
Ani-One Asia has removed the Chainsmoker Cat anime from its streaming lineup, citing compliance with local government regulations. The move follows a similar decision by Taiwanese streaming service Bahamut Animation Crazy in Hong Kong.
The anime streaming service Ani-One Asia, operated by Medialink Entertainment, has taken down the television anime of Nyan Nyan Factory's Chainsmoker Cat manga from its lineup. This decision was made to comply with local government regulations in relevant markets, as stated by the service.
Background on the Removal
The removal of Chainsmoker Cat from Ani-One Asia's lineup comes after Taiwanese streaming service Bahamut Animation Crazy halted its streaming of the anime in Hong Kong. This was in response to a letter from Hong Kong's Department of Health, which stated that the show's content violated Hong Kong's Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance. The ordinance prohibits the placement of smoking product advertisements on the internet. Although Medialink Entertainment is based in Hong Kong, it has removed the anime from all regions where it was available, including Southeast Asia.
Regulatory Concerns
Lo Su-ying, the head of the Tobacco Control Division of the Taiwanese government's Health Promotion Administration, has expressed concerns that images from the anime may violate the country's Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act. This act bans the promotion of tobacco products through various media, including television, movies, and the internet. The anime prominently features real-life cigarette brands, such as the Japanese brand Mevius.
Impact on the Anime's Schedule
The anime's official X account announced that the ninth episode will not air until September 2. Instead, a special program featuring the cast will air next week. However, it is unclear if this change is related to the recent removals from overseas streaming services.
Availability of the Anime
The anime has two versions: the 'Evil Dragon Unleashed' version and the 'On-Air' version. The 'Evil Dragon Unleashed' version is available on several streaming services in Japan, including AT-X, AnimeFesta, and Netflix. The 'On-Air' version is available on these services as well, and also on 16 other streaming services in Japan. The following table shows the availability of the two versions on different streaming services: The manga, which the anime is based on, is being released in English by Seven Seas. It is a comedy that takes place in a world where humans, catgirls, and similar species co-exist. The story follows Yani, a catgirl with a serious smoking habit, as she tries to quit and get her life together.
