Trump’s Anime Posts Face Criticism in Japan for Using Naruto and Pokémon Imagery

U.S. President Donald Trump is facing backlash from anime enthusiasts due to his frequent use of iconic characters and gaming visuals on social media, which has sparked criticism worldwide. The strongest disapproval is coming from Japan, where a petition launched four months ago has gathered thousands of signatures condemning the White House for misusing some of the nation’s most beloved characters.

The controversy began in March 2026 when anime fans noticed posts from Trump and the White House featuring imagery from popular franchises like Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Dragon Ball, and Naruto. The situation escalated over the weekend when Trump shared a video on Truth Social portraying himself as Naruto Uzumaki, the main character from the famous manga and anime series.

Titled “Protect Japanese Manga,” the petition has garnered over 23,800 signatures. It was initiated after the White House’s official X account posted videos that combined footage of U.S. military actions in Iran with clips from Yu-Gi-Oh! and Dragon Ball. A later post even mimicked the visual style of the Pokémon game Pokopiat to showcase Trump’s slogan, “Make America Great Again.”

The petition emphasizes that many of the referenced works embody themes like courage, friendship, and perseverance—values that signatories believe are being distorted for political purposes. Nana Suzuki, one of the petition’s organizers, expressed her concern about the military-themed Yu-Gi-Oh! content, highlighting the legacy of series creator Kazuki Takahashi, who tragically passed away in 2022 while trying to assist people in perilous ocean conditions.

The backlash has reached beyond fan communities. The official Yu-Gi-Oh! X account released a statement distancing itself from the situation, while the Pokémon Company International issued a strong condemnation of the MAGA-meets-Pokopia post. “Our mission is to bring the world together, and that mission is not affiliated with any political viewpoint or agenda,” the company declared.

The issue has even prompted diplomatic discussions. Following complaints from a coalition of Japanese fans and members of Japan’s parliament, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally contacted the U.S. Embassy regarding the unauthorized use of Japanese intellectual property. However, given Trump’s recent post, it seems the message may not have been heeded.

Despite the controversy, not all fans view the situation negatively. Some on social media argue that the attention underscores anime’s global impact, often referred to as “Cool Japan,” and express pride that Japanese pop culture is significant enough to be acknowledged by the President of the United States.

While political figures referencing pop culture isn’t new—former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe famously appeared as Mario during the Rio Olympics closing ceremony to hand over the games to Tokyo—this current situation differs as it lacks an authorized partnership meant to celebrate Japanese culture. Critics contend that Trump is using these references as an unauthorized political tool.

For those supporting Suzuki’s petition, this distinction is crucial. The concern isn’t that anime has entered the political sphere, but rather that cherished characters are being exploited in ways that contradict the values upheld by their creators.