Sanrio, the Japanese corporation behind the Hello Kitty franchise, has severed its commercial ties with the Netflix television drama Vivant. The decision followed intense condemnation from Chinese state media and social media users who argued the series featured a deliberate smear against their country by depicting ruthless Chinese agents.
In a statement published on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, Sanrio issued an apology and confirmed it ended its association with the show. The company stated that it determined the program included elements that conflicted with its core corporate values.
Additional information is expected to emerge as the story continues to develop.
