Interspecies Reviewers has been cancelled on Japanese channel Sun TV.
The official Twitter account for the show announced on February 18th that the show had been cancelled on Sun TV. “The animation “Interspecies Reviewers” being broadcast on Sun TV has been canceled due to the organization of Sun Television.” (Translation: Twitter).
This is the second channel to drop the show, with Tokyo TV dropping the show on February 7th. The show will seemingly continue airing on AT-X, BS11, and KBS Kyoto.
Sora News 24 reports that KBS Kyoto is now the only free, broadcast TV network showing Interspecies Reviewers. AT-X and BS11 are both paid cable or satellite networks, with AT-X offering uncensored episodes of the show.
Sora News 24 also reports that issues of the show’s lewd nature had not gone unnoticed. Three days after the first episode, the Broadcasting Ethics and Program Improvement Organization (BPO) voiced complaints from the general public.
“I am outraged that an anime like this, with such sexual content, is being shown in a manner with no age restrictions and can be viewed by children.”
“There is a late-night anime, and even though it’s a fantasy setting, the male characters go to brothels and review them, disparaging the female characters.”
“Even though it’s an anime, it’s still full of nothing but paid sex and dirty jokes, and so it’s a bad influence on children.”
Translation: Sora News 24
The BPO also reached out to its internal “Youth Committee,” with surprisingly open-mindedness.
“In regards to complaints that the show is ‘digesting’ or ‘vulgar,’ such accusations are related to the concept of freedom of expression, and must be handled extremely cautiously.”
“In the past, late-night TV was watched only by adults. Now, though, it can be watched 24 hours a day through the Internet, and the societal time division is changing. That change is something we must consider.”
“Children are not the sole TV audience, and so I believe the TV station is producing it under the stance that a late-night adult-oriented TV anime can be broadcast withing the principles of freedom of expression.”
“Care must be taken that such extreme content does not gradually creep into regular time blocks from late-night slots.”
Translation: Sora News 24
For those unfamiliar with our prior coverage, Funimation announced they would no longer be streaming or dubbing the show, as it “falls outside of [their] standards.” This was after three episodes and been subtitled, and one episode had been dubbed. Other streaming networks such as Amazon Prime Video and Wakanim would later join them.
We will keep you informed as we learn more.
Image: Interspecies Reviewers (Ishuzoku Reviewers) (Anime)” Intro & Outro Theme Songs: Ikoze Paradise / Hanabira Ondo (via CD Japan)
