A video released by the Department of Homeland Security has gone viral for its unusual use of the Pokémon brand, but the company behind the franchise has now spoken out against it.
Video
The footage features immigration arrests, accompanied by the Pokémon theme song and clips from the animated series. Toward the end of the video, detainees are shown as if they were Pokémon trading cards, and DHS even included the tagline “Gotta Catch ‘Em All” in its caption. The combination of real-life arrests with a beloved children’s series quickly drew backlash online.
Pokémon Company International wasted no time distancing itself from the project.
In a statement provided to TMZ, a spokesperson said, “We are aware of a recent video posted by the Department of Homeland Security that includes imagery and language associated with our brand. Our company was not involved in the creation or distribution of this content, and permission was not granted for the use of our intellectual property.”
Fans and critics alike have questioned why the government chose to frame immigration enforcement through the lens of a globally recognized franchise. The reaction has placed DHS under fire for linking a pop culture icon to deportation messaging.
At this time, it is unclear if Pokémon plans to pursue legal measures against DHS. What is certain is that the company has publicly rejected any association with the viral video.
