The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently dropped a controversial video, mashing up clips from the Pokémon anime and its iconic theme song with footage of mass arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The video's title, "Gotta Catch 'Em All," a direct rip-off of the Pokémon slogan, immediately sparked outrage across social media.
The footage intercut blurred law enforcement officers and handcuffed individuals with scenes of Ash and other beloved characters. To make matters even more bizarre, the video concluded by turning convicted individuals into "Pokémon cards," complete with an "Ice-type" weakness.
Fans were quick to blast the video as a gross misuse of the brand and an inappropriate attempt to trivialize a serious issue like immigration. One furious netizen commented, "These are people with families. How can you turn arrests into a Pokémon meme?"
Over on X (formerly Twitter), countless users tagged The Pokémon Company and Nintendo of America, demanding legal action for the unauthorized use. However, Don McGowan, the former Chief Legal Officer for The Pokémon Company, isn't so sure. In an interview with IGN, he stated it's "highly unlikely" the company would get involved.
McGowan explained that The Pokémon Company typically keeps an extremely low profile, steering clear of any brand association with controversial news. Furthermore, many high-ranking executives within the U.S. division hold green cards, meaning involvement in immigration-related legal disputes could pose additional risks.
"Even if I were still at the company, I wouldn't touch this," McGowan clarified. "This kind of uproar blows over in a few days, and the company would rather stay silent."
It's worth noting that The Pokémon Company has a notoriously aggressive stance on intellectual property protection, often swiftly suing over reported infringement cases. This apparent inaction, therefore, strikes many fans as a stark contrast to their usual approach.
As of now, neither The Pokémon Company nor Nintendo has officially commented. The controversy continues to simmer, with anger and disappointment spreading through the fan community. Whether this incident will further impact the brand's image remains to be seen.
via： IGN