BEIJING, China — Driven by fears of a aging population and a shrinking labor pool, the Chinese government has officially put an end to the controversial one-child policy. Instituted in 1980 as a means of population control, the policy is blamed for causing a slew of problems such as human rights abuses, infanticide, financial dependency, and denying several generations of Chinese the joy of little sisters.

“To promote a balanced growth of population, China will implement a policy of ‘one couple, two children’ in a proactive response to the issue of an aging population and develop the national animation industry,” the Xinhua news agency reported.

Though it could take decades to have any real impact of population numbers, many Chinese were optimistic about the incoming deluge of little sister anime.

“China’s anime industry is literally 100 years behind that of Japan; it has a long way to go before being able to compete,” economist Liu Xiaomin told Anime Maru. “But anime about little sisters is the key.”

Indeed, stock prices of Chinese animation studios have risen overnight, and several new Chinese-made anime involving milquetoast high school males with adorable little sisters are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

“There’s no way China is going to make the next OreImo or Himouto Umaru-chan overnight; it might take years before they can even get to the levels of ImoCho or NakaImo. But it’s a start”

When asked if China is potentially ready to make an anime near the quality of Yosuga no Sora, Liu responded: “Absolutely.”

There are many problems to overcome; after decades of restrictions and rising cost of childcare, many mothers are hesitant to have a second child, just as many Chinese otaku are hesitant to “watch those shitty incest shows anyway.” But Liu explains that in the long term, change will happen.

“Once a forceful policy goes away, natural effects take over. That means childhood friends will start losing again.”

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