Blip on the screen

Detective Conan is one of the most popular Japanese animation series in China. [Photo/China Daily]

Many animation shows go offline in China after ban against unsuitable content is announced. Han Bingbin reports.

Fans of high-profile Japanese animation series Detective Conan and One Piece were relieved to learn that recent online rumors about the two productions being pulled off major Chinese video streaming websites weren't correct. But followers of other shows might not be as happy.

As many as 62 animated series, according to Tencent News, have either been or are likely to be removed from online channels following an order issued by China's Ministry of Culture in March. These productions contain scenes that the ministry believes "glamorize violence, salacity and terrorism activities" and "threaten social morals".

Some 19 video websites, including Tudou, Youku and iQiyi, have been asked to remove identified series.

Tudou.com was named in the ministry's official statement as a platform that had streamed a dozen such productions with more than 1 million views.

The ministry didn't reveal a full list of targeted productions. But three Japanese animated series, including Blood-C and High School of the Dead, were mentioned as negative examples in its statement. The former was named for featuring many bloody scenes, while the latter was criticized for "touching upon pornography".

Some fans dramatized the development by calling it a crisis for Japanese animation shows in China, but the move "clearly doesn't specifically target Japanese productions", says analyst Du Zezhuang of media consultancy Ze Media.

"We have to admit that inappropriate content such as violence exists in animated productions both at home and abroad."