FIVE-YEAR-OLD Shin-chan pointed to his genitals and exclaimed: 'Look, an elephant!' His mother was horrified to see that her son had drawn an elephant on his body, using his penis as the trunk.
Hong Kong viewers have been similarly taken aback by the boy's antics. Shin-chan is the lovable little monster featured in Kureyon Shin Chan, a Japanese animated series which has raised parents' eyebrows while delighting their youngsters since it premiered on ATV last month. The cartoon series has since captured 1.3 million viewers during its Saturday slot from 10.30pm to 11pm.
The precocious Shin-chan swears, calls his mother by her first name, sexually harasses her and his teacher, plays with his mother's underwear, watches older girls with his father and calls them 'babes'.
'How likely are our children to be affected by Shin-chan's behaviour and follow suit?' asked rival station TVB's programme controller, Stephen Chan Chi-wan.
'Even if the programme is watched under parental guidance, it will be extremely difficult for parents to counteract the negative effect of the cartoon character on children, particularly when viewers seem to enjoy it so much.' The Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority (TELA) has received complaints from viewers saying it is not suitable for children. Chan has complained to TELA and to the chairman of the advisory panel on children and youth programmes.
But young and old fans alike would be sorely disappointed if censors pulled the plug on it. 'I love to watch it,' said one four-year-old. 'Shin-chan is really funny.' ATV has received numerous letters both praising and condemning the series. In response to the first episode when Shin-chan drew the elephant, programme manager Felix To Chi-hak said: 'This act is embarrassing to his mother, but it is natural.
