China Tightens Up, Cool Anime Will Start Facing Sanctions and Can't Air!

Kapanlagi.com - The Chinese government has just issued a new policy that has anime fans shaking their heads. This strict restriction focuses on anime that features themes of 'high school romance' and stories about 'rebellion' or 'overthrowing the government.' With this move, China aims to ensure that entertainment content aligns with the country's ideology.

This ban is not something new, considering that China is known for its strict regulations on entertainment media. Although there are no exact figures regarding the number of affected anime, this policy clearly limits the types of stories that can be aired in the country. China, being one of the largest markets for anime, is certainly a focal point for this industry.

In addition to anime, China also applies similar rules to Mandarin dramas, limiting the number of episodes to a maximum of 40 episodes. This shows how serious the government is in monitoring the content circulating in society.

1. The Anime World is Thriving

The anime world is indeed in a phase of glory, not only in Japan but also around the globe. Unfortunately, amidst this popularity, China is tightening restrictions on the anime that can be aired. According to reports from Mantan Web, anime with themes of rebellion or teenage love stories have already started to be removed from the airing list.

Just imagine, legendary anime like Code Geass or the currently popular The Dangers In My Heart could be at risk of being banned. Even One Piece, which also raises themes of rebellion against authoritarian governments, might be targeted as well. However, there is no certainty yet because One Piece has a very large fanbase in China.

2. The Anime Industry is at Risk

This is not the first time anime has faced restrictions in China. Previously, Attack on Titan was also banned from airing because it was deemed too brutal and not in line with public morals. In fact, China is a very potential market for anime distribution, and revenue from there can be very profitable for the Japanese anime industry.

However, with the increasing number of regulations, the process of getting anime into China becomes more complicated. Not only do viewers feel the impact, but the behind-the-scenes industry is also forced to work harder. To be aired in China, anime must pass through a strict censorship process before being released, which makes production schedules tighter and creates headaches for the production team.

FYI, the cost of producing one episode of anime currently ranges from 20 million yen to 80 million yen! Compare that to live-action TV shows that sometimes only require 10 million yen. The production process also takes 2-3 years, which is certainly very complicated.

Another issue is the shortage of experienced animators. Many studios are forced to collaborate with crews that do not have much experience in order to meet deadlines. As a result, the quality of production can decline and schedules often slip.

On the other hand, anime in Japan is starting to regain its place on national TV. TV Asahi and Fuji TV have even added slots for nighttime anime, something very different compared to the 2010s when anime nearly disappeared from prime time. However, if the foreign market, especially China, continues to be restricted, Japan's dream of globalizing anime may become increasingly difficult to achieve.

Currently, the international market is far more profitable compared to the local market, and if these restrictions continue, the future of anime on a global scale could be a big question mark.

(kpl/gtr)