Japan's anime industry is enjoying unprecedented success overseas, but its growing global reach is also creating a dilemma as cultural differences, local laws and social media criticism increasingly collide with creative expression.The issue was highlighted recently by "Chainsmoker Cat" (Yani-Neko), an anime based on a Kodansha Ltd. manga that began airing in July.Its protagonist is a heavy-smoking anthropomorphic cat rarely seen without a cigarette. But after the series was released overseas, distribution in Hong Kong was suspended following complaints over the repeated appearance of tobac…READ FULL ARTICLE
