Chainsmoker Cat Anime Pulled From Streaming Services in Hong Kong Over Purported ‘Smoking Advertisement’ Violation

Chainsmoker Cat, a dark comedy anime series depicting the harsh lives of anthropomorphic cat girls, some of whom are dependent on nicotine and other drugs, has been pulled in Hong Kong from the Animation Crazy streaming service. Animation Crazy is an official platform operated by Taiwanese internet forum Bahamut.

The suspension appears limited to just Hong Kong; it remains available to stream on the platform in Taiwan, as shown above. On Facebook, the Animation Crazy (Hong Kong) page shared that it had received a letter from Hong Kong’s Department of Health stating that the anime had violated its Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance Sections 13B and 14 “regarding the online dissemination of ‘advertisements for smoking products’. (translated)” Animation Crazy apologized for the disruption and asked Hong Kong users to consider applying for a refund through various means if they believe their rights have been violated.

Per the Ordinance, a violation of 13B allows a maximum fine of 50,000 HKD (~6400 USD) “and, in the case of a continuing offence, to a further penalty of 1,500 [HKD / 191 USD] for each day during which the offence continues.“

Chainsmoker Cat has several striking depictions of drug use, including smoking multiple cigarettes at once, withdrawals, and…chain-smoking. While played up for humor, the anime is widely considered an unglamorous depiction of smoking, featuring nicotine addiction and behavioural dysfunction.

While the series remains available on Netflix, it appears to have also been pulled from the Ani-One Asia YouTube channel in Hong Kong. The Ani-One Asia Facebook noted Hong Kong among Chainsmoker Cat‘s licensed territories in its announcement from July, but the series is currently unavailable to stream in the region. It is legal for adults to purchase and smoke tobacco products in Hong Kong.

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Meanwhile in Japan, Chainsmoker Cat was believed to be the subject of debate at a recent BPO (Broadcasting Ethics & Program Improvement Organization) session last month. (The anime wasn’t mentioned by name but is strongly believed to be Chainsmoker Cat.) Viewers critical of the series pointed to its depictions of smoking and illegal drugs; the BPO committee member in charge believed that it was within the bounds of permissible freedom of expression. (Mynavi News)

Otherwise, the series is enjoying major success: it was just announced that every volume of the manga will be reprinted following a sales increase after the positive response to the anime. (Denfaminico Gamer)

Chainsmoker Cat adapts the manga series of the same name by NyanNyanFactory, published in Kodansha’s Weekly Young Magazine and licensed in English by Seven Seas. Taku Kimura directs the anime at Bibury Animation Studios.

Source: Bahamut Animation Crazy HK Facebook, South China Morning Post
©Nyan Nyan Factory, Kodansha/Yani Neko Production Committee