Pokémon

China Condemns Pokemon and Detective Conan for Spreading Japanese Militarism

China’s military news agency has condemned popular anime series like Pokemon and Detective Conan, along with other cultural and sporting events, for allegedly promoting Japanese militarism. Recent controversies, including a Pokemon card game event at Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine and criticism of athlete and idol performances, have fueled these accusations. China asserts that these cultural mediums are being used to spread a distorted version of history among young people, potentially paving the way for a resurgence of Japanese militarist ideals.

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Nintendo Faces Backlash After DHS Uses Pokémon Imagery in ICE Raid Video

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has drawn criticism for a social media campaign that used Pokémon imagery to promote ICE deportation raids. The campaign, which included a video set to the Pokémon theme song and mocked-up “cards” featuring arrested individuals, was met with backlash, with users questioning whether DHS obtained permission from Nintendo. This move follows a reported media offensive to bolster the image of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, and also mirrors previous instances of the DHS and the Trump administration using unlicensed intellectual property without permission. The use of unauthorized IP has previously resulted in complaints and legal action.

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