Culture & Entertainment · 3 outlets (L 1 · C 1 · R 0 · 1 not rated)
Hello Kitty maker Sanrio ends tie-up with Japanese drama after China outcry
Sanrio, the Japanese company behind Hello Kitty, apologised and ended its commercial collaboration with the Japanese TV drama Vivant after criticism in China.[1, 2, 3] The collaboration was a merchandise line tied to the spy series, which Bloomberg reported airs on Japanese television and The Guardian described as a Netflix drama.[1, 2]
The show drew criticism in China over its portrayal of wartime history, according to Bloomberg.[2] Chinese state media and internet users condemned the show's portrayal of ruthless Chinese agents as a 'deliberate smear', The Guardian reported.[1]
Covered by The Guardian, Bloomberg and BBC News
Read first Hello Kitty Owner Sanrio Axes Japan Show Ties After China Furor
How balanced is this coverage?
Of the 2 rated outlets that covered it, 1 is left of center, 1 is center and 0 are right of center. 1 more is not rated.
Too few left- or right-leaning outlets to compare: 1 of 42 left-leaning, 1 of 33 center and 0 of 38 right-leaning outlets covered it.
- Left: none.
- Leans left: The Guardian (−0.70).
- Center: Bloomberg (+0.08).
- Leans right: none.
- Right: none.
Not rated BBC News. Not placed: they have no lean score.
Each dot is an outlet that covered it, placed by its audience-lean score (Eady et al. 2025), which measures who shares its links, not how accurate it is. The ticks under the line are all 113 rated outlets Tare reads.
Read across the spectrum
- Left-leaning Hello Kitty company cuts ties with Japanese spy show after China outcry
- Center Hello Kitty Owner Sanrio Axes Japan Show Ties After China Furor
- Right-leaning No right-leaning outlet in Tare's list covered it.