A wave of disapproval has swept across Japan after U.S. President Donald Trump used famous anime characters in his recent social media videos.
The posts, which included images of Pikachu, Naruto and Yu‑Gi‑Oh, were first noticed by fans in March. They sparked an online petition that now gathers almost 20,000 signatures, claiming that the use of these characters in a political context violates their creators’ intentions and copyrights.
Pokémon Company International has publicly condemned the unauthorized use of its imagery, while the White House has yet to respond.
The petition, launched by 34‑year‑old anime fan Nana Suzuki from Kanagawa, frames the incident as a disrespect to Japanese creators. She notes that the creator of Yu‑Gi‑Oh, Kazuki Takahashi, died saving someone, making the political appropriation even more painful.
While critics argue that the depictions misrepresent the core values of friendship and perseverance inherent in the shows, a few social media users have defended the moves as “hilarious” or as a form of "free publicity" that raises international awareness of Naruto.
Pokémon spokeswoman Sravanthi Dev last month confirmed the White House had no permission to use the company’s images. She emphasized that Pokémon’s mission is to unite people worldwide, not to support political agendas.
The controversy highlights broader questions about cultural appropriation, copyright, and how media figures use popular culture for political messaging. Its unfolding will test the limits of international fan activism and corporate responsibility in a digital age.
