The dark historical visual novel, The Hungry Lamb: Traveling in the Late Ming Dynasty, has been pulled from the Japanese Nintendo Switch eShop just days after its release, prompting a reevaluation of its age rating.

Originally launched for PC in 2024 to overwhelming positive reviews, the title boasts over one million copies sold. Its global Nintendo Switch release was slated for March 2025.

Developed by ZerocreationGames and published by 2P Games, the game's initial 16+ IARC rating in Japan contrasts sharply with its Teen rating from the ESRB in North America and 18 rating from PEGI in the UK.

According to reports from Automaton, the removal comes only four days after the game's Japanese launch. 2P Games confirmed the temporary delisting, stating the age rating is under review. The Nintendo eShop typically allows for simple age rating adjustments unless the increase is significant, such as two levels or a change to the 18+ category. Although 2P Games hasn't confirmed the new rating, an 18+ rating is anticipated given the game's sensitive content, which includes themes of cannibalism, human trafficking, and depictions of sexual violence, as detailed on the game's Steam page.

While the Japanese release faces uncertainty, The Hungry Lamb is currently available on the Nintendo eShop in other regions and is even celebrating its launch with a 10% discount. The game unfolds in ancient China, following Liang, a bandit tasked with escorting four young girls to Luoyang, only to discover they may be destined to become victims of a swine demon. 2P Games has highlighted the game's success, citing it as the second best-selling Chinese game of 2024 and confirming a sequel, The Weeping Swan: Ten Days of the City's Fall, for late 2025.

2P Games assured players who already purchased the game that their access will be unaffected and that The Hungry Lamb will return to the Japanese eShop.  This incident highlights the complexities of navigating age ratings across different regions and recalls similar instances, such as the indie title Balatro which was mistakenly rated 18+ and even temporarily removed from the UK Nintendo eShop.