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The Pokémon Company has distanced itself from a controversial U.S. Department of Homeland Security video that repurposed the franchise’s iconic anime theme song to promote an ICE raid.
The Department of Homeland Security posted the clip earlier this week, splicing footage of ICE agents making arrests with imagery from the original Pokémon animated series and mock-ups of trading cards featuring those detained. The video, set to the franchise’s instantly recognizable theme, which famously includes the lyrics “Gotta catch ’em all”, quickly went viral and drew outrage online.
Pokémon stated it was not involved in creating or distributing the video, and no permission was given for its intellectual property to be used. The company did not clarify whether it plans to pursue legal action.
The raids are part of ICE’s efforts under Trump-era policies to deport individuals labeled as criminals.
