Regulatory pressure against Japanese animation shows no letup in Asia. Just three days after facing partial restrictions in Hong Kong, the anime Yani Neko (Chainsmoker Cat) was simultaneously removed from all streaming platforms in Taiwan, after being formally accused of inciting cigarette consumption and displaying real tobacco brands.

The mass removal occurred on August 20, following formal complaints from major public health organizations, including the John Tung Foundation and the Taiwan Anti-Smoking Alliance, requesting severe sanctions. The organizations argued that the explicit display of real cigarette packs—such as the Japanese brand Mevius—directly violates the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act. Health authorities sent investigation notices to digital distribution services, which immediately removed the animated series from their catalogs to avoid fines that could reach up to one million New Taiwan dollars per platform.

The mass removal sparked heated debates on Taiwanese discussion forums, where viewers questioned whether this measure represents excessive state control over creative works. Many pointed out that the original work by NyanNyanFactory does not seek to glorify smoking but portrays the miseries, debts, and physical consequences of a feline character addicted to cigarettes. The situation contrasts sharply with the stance in Japan, where television ethics bodies reviewed public complaints but concluded that, airing in late-night hours and not promoting illegal substances, the series remains within the bounds of freedom of expression.

Given that the series uses dark comedy to depict the destructiveness of smoking, do you think governments should respect an anime’s satirical intent or is censorship inevitable when real products are shown?