Anime game platform operator CTW has come under scrutiny in the UK after the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) received complaints about three YouTube adverts promoting High School D×D Operation Paradise Infinity on its G123 platform.
Content warning: The following section describes ads that include partial nudity and sexualised depictions of anime characters.
The ASA received three complaints alleging that the ads portrayed characters under 18 in a sexualised, offensive, and irresponsible manner. In response, CTW removed the adverts once the case was opened and acknowledged that the material did not meet UK advertising standards. The company stated it would strengthen its review processes to ensure future compliance with the CAP Code (the UK’s Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct & Promotional Marketing).
CTW defended the campaign by claiming the ads were designed to echo the “playful, parodic” tone of the High School DxD anime, rather than to deliberately sexualise the content. References such as “boobtastic” and “gentleman’s harem” were, according to CTW, intended to reflect the comedic elements of the source material. However, the ASA noted that CTW had since recognised these expressions would not be perceived in the same way in the UK and committed to avoiding them in the future.
The flagged ads
According to the ASA’s summary, the three ads included:
- Ad 1: Two anime girls with wide eyes and open mouths, shown from the shoulders up with bare skin visible. Text read: “Official High School […] All rise for the gentlemen’s harem […] titillating browser game. Don’t look away!”
- Ad 2: Three anime girls, two with blushing cheeks, accompanied by text such as “boobtastic game,” “Get your hands full!” and “high school.”
- Ad 3: A single female character with large eyes, an open mouth, and partially exposed body parts. The text overlaid included “SUMMER” across her hips and phrases such as “All rise for the gentlemen’s harem […] titillating browser game.”
ASA’s ruling
The regulator found the adverts problematic on several counts:
- They suggested the characters were high school students, linking them to under-18 depictions.
- They relied heavily on sexualised imagery and language.
- They objectified women through harmful gender stereotypes.
The ASA concluded that the ads breached CAP Code rules on social responsibility (1.3), offence (4.1), inappropriate sexual depictions of under-18s (4.8), and harmful gender stereotypes (4.9).
CTW was formally warned to ensure that future campaigns:
- Do not sexualise characters who are, or appear to be, under 18.
- Avoid objectifying women or relying on harmful stereotypes.
- Remain socially responsible and avoid causing widespread offence.
Context
The ruling comes shortly after CTW’s IPO in July, in which the company raised $12 million on the Nasdaq Capital Market under CTW Cayman. CTW has said most of the funds will go toward expanding its global market reach, with the remainder supporting general operations.
Through its G123 platform, CTW publishes a range of browser-based anime titles, including So I’m a Spider, So What? Ruler of the Labyrinth, Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest – Rebellion Soul, Queen’s Blade Limit Break, TSUKIMICHI -Moonlit Fantasy-: Peace Chronicles, Seirei Gensouki: Spirit Chronicles Another Tale, I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level: Witchcraft, and Peter Grill and the Philosopher’s Time – Defender of Virtue 2.
 received compl){kind=link}