Sanrio has officially terminated its partnership with the Japanese television series Vivant after the show sparked significant controversy in China. The entertainment company issued an apology and withdrew merchandise featuring popular characters like Hello Kitty, My Melody, and Cinnamoroll dressed in the show's attire. This decision follows intense criticism from Chinese state media and internet users, who condemned the series for its portrayal of Chinese intelligence agents allegedly torturing a Japanese operative. Critics argued that the show distorted historical narratives and unfairly vilified the nation. What began as a commercial crossover between the iconic brand and the thriller series quickly escalated into a diplomatic issue, forcing Sanrio to distance itself from the production to mitigate the negative impact of the public outcry.
Source : Malay Mail
Photo : Malay Mail
