Character licensing company Sanrio Co. said Thursday it has decided to end a tie-up campaign with the hit Japanese spy thriller "Vivant," after the drama triggered criticism in China over its portrayal of Chinese agents brutally torturing Japanese operatives.Sanrio's China unit offered an apology over the collaboration with "Vivant" in a statement posted Wednesday night on social media platforms. Plush toys featuring Hello Kitty, My Melody and other Sanrio characters dressed as the drama's "spy figures" were released in July, according to Chinese media.The Japanese company explained it deci…READ FULL ARTICLE
