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The Japanese TV series Ultraman Tiga, which is popular among Chinese children, is now unavailable on multiple Chinese video platforms by Friday, sparking widespread yet divided discussions among Chinese netizens on the impact of violent content on children. 

An official from China's National Radio and Television Administration urged online programs to run "special channels" and promote healthy contents to children and teens, and firmly resist broadcasting cartoons that contain violence, blood and pornographic scenes, according to a statement issued on Friday night.

The Global Times searched on multiple video platforms including iQiyi, Tencent TV and Youku, and found that the feature film of Ultraman Tiga has been unavailable. But some videos related to the series can still be played. 

The topic "Ultraman Tiga got removed" has topped the searching list on Sina Weibo on Friday evening.

Many netizens believe that the removal may be due to Chinese parents' complaint about violent content in the series, while others speculated that the delisting is related to an investigation report previously released by the Jiangsu Provincial Consumer Protection Committee.

On April 6 this year, the Jiangsu Provincial Consumer Protection Committee issued an investigation report on the animation products that may affect the minors' growth, and Ultraman Tiga was among the 21 cartoons it surveyed.

Case Closed, also known as Detective Conan, was also in the list.

Nearly half of the cartoons in this investigation have violent criminal elements to varying degrees, it said. For example, the Ultraman Tiga involves violent plots such as armed beating, multi-person intimidation, arson and explosions. In addition, among the 21 cartoons investigated, there were 123 scenes involving darkness, horror, and suspense, read the survey.

According to xdkb.net, which described itself as the largest mainstream metropolitan newspaper in Jiangsu Province, the delisting of Ultraman Tiga has nothing to do with the committee, and the removal could be the voluntary behavior of video platforms, citing staff at the department.

It's time to regulate disorderly and violent scenes in children's cartoons, a netizen surnamed Tang, who's also a parent of a 4-year-old child said. "There are too many violent plots in the cartoons, and my son is imitating some of them." 

Some others were disappointed by the removal. "I grew up watching Ultraman Tiga. I think it's very positive. It can teach children to protect the weak and be a kind person," Zhang Tong, a 29-something Beijing-based cartoon lover, told the Global Times on Friday.

Global Times