Growing Backlash in Japan Over Trump’s Use of Anime Characters
A backlash is intensifying in Japan regarding US President Donald Trump's use of well-known anime and manga characters in his social media posts.
Discontent began to emerge in March when fans noticed the president employing images of, and in some instances portraying himself as, iconic Japanese animation figures such as Pikachu, Naruto, and Yu-Gi-Oh!.
Nearly 20,000 individuals have signed an online petition asserting that Trump does not embody the values represented by these characters and that using them for political purposes may violate the rights of their creators.
Pokémon Company International has publicly condemned Trump's use of its imagery. The BBC has reached out to other rights holders and the White House for comment.
Origins of the Petition
The petition urging Trump and the White House to respect Japanese manga was initially launched in March, following several posts that attracted fan attention.
The official White House X account released videos that combined footage of US military strikes on Iran with clips from Yu-Gi-Oh! and Dragon Ball. The day prior, the account posted an image bearing the phrase "Make America Great Again" over what appears to be a screengrab from the Pokémon Pokopia video game.
The petition gained renewed momentum after Trump shared a video on Truth Social on Saturday, depicting himself as Naruto Uzumaki, the protagonist and title character of a popular anime and manga series about a young ninja’s quest to become the village leader.
Concerns of Fans and Petitioners
Those who signed the petition and other online fans argue that these characters symbolize values such as courage, friendship, and perseverance to audiences worldwide, and that Trump's use of them in this manner contradicts the creators' original intentions.
Nana Suzuki, a resident of Kanagawa and a 34-year-old self-described anime and manga enthusiast, initiated the petition and spoke to the BBC about her motivations.
"Kazuki Takahashi, the creator of Yu-Gi-Oh!, passed away after attempting to rescue someone in the ocean," Suzuki said. "It deeply saddened me that his noble spirit, someone who tried to save others and the message of his work, was used in a military context, and that he is no longer alive to speak up himself."
She aimed to create a platform where others sharing similar frustrations could express themselves and demonstrate the importance of respecting Japanese creators and their content.
Divergent Opinions Among Fans
However, a minority of fans dismissed concerns over Trump's use of the images.
One user on X described it as "hilarious" and believed it would only boost Naruto's global recognition, comparing it to the best free publicity possible. Another user commented, "Rather than criticising the clip, I'm proud that Japanese manga has taken the world by storm to the point where the President of America knows Naruto."
Official Response from Pokémon Company International
Pokémon Company International stated that the White House did not have permission to use its imagery.
"We were not involved in its creation or distribution," said Pokémon spokeswoman Sravanthi Dev. "Our mission is to bring the world together, and that mission is not affiliated with any political viewpoint or agenda."
