Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact Banned in Australia, No Reason Given

The Australian Classification Board has surprisingly banned Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact, assigning it a Refused Classification rating. This decision, made on December 1st, has left many puzzled, as no explanation was provided. Let's delve into this unexpected news and explore the game's potential future in Australia.

Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact – Blocked from Australian Release

Refused Classification Rating

The upcoming fighting game, *Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact*, is officially banned in Australia. The Refused Classification (RC) rating means the game cannot be sold, hired, advertised, or imported legally within the country. The Classification Board stated that the content "contains content that is outside generally-accepted community standards and exceeds what can be included in the R 18+ and X 18+ ratings."

While the reasons for an RC rating are generally clear, this decision is surprising. The game's official trailer shows typical fighting game fare—no overt sexual content, graphic violence, or drug use. This suggests the problematic content might lie beyond the trailer's scope, perhaps involving clerical errors correctable before resubmission.

Second Chances and Past Precedents

Australia's history with game classifications reveals a willingness to reconsider bans. Games have been banned and later re-evaluated, sometimes after modifications. The board's decisions aren't always final. For example, The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings initially received an RC rating but was later reclassified after edits.

The board has shown flexibility in the past. Disco Elysium: The Final Cut, initially refused classification due to its depiction of drug use, was later approved after the board deemed its portrayal acceptable due to the clear depiction of negative consequences. Similarly, Outlast 2 secured an R18+ rating after modifications to remove a scene of sexual violence.

Developers often successfully appeal RC ratings by addressing explicit content or removing sensitive material. This involves either justifying the content's artistic merit or removing elements like drug use or sexual violence.

The Australian Classification Board's decision on Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact doesn't necessarily mean the game is permanently banned. The developers could still appeal the decision by providing justification for the content or by making changes to meet classification standards.