The Pokémon Company International has confirmed it was not involved in the Department of Homeland Security’s ICE raid video that uses the “Pokémon” anime’s theme song and footage.
“We are aware of a recent video posted by the Department of Homeland Security that includes imagery and language associated with our brand,” the company said in a statement to Variety Wednesday. “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.”
The video, posted by the Homeland Security X account Monday, shows a montage of arrests made by border patrol and ICE agents set to the “Pokémon” theme song, which includes the lyrics “Gotta catch ’em all.” It also uses footage from the opening credits of the “Pokémon” anime TV show with main character Ash Ketchum. The video ends by showing fake Pokémon trading cards with mugshots of men and women arrested by ICE and their alleged crimes, such as manslaughter, pedophilia, burglary, murder and child endangerment.
This is the second time a company or celebrity was featured without their knowledge in a Department of Homeland Security video this week. Comedian Theo Von posted a statement Tuesday after the government organization used one of his audio clips in a since-deleted video about illegal immigrant deportations.
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“Yooo DHS i didnt approve to be used in this. I know you know my address so send a check. And please take this down and please keep me out of your ‘banger’ deportation videos,” Von wrote on X. When it comes to immigration my thoughts and heart are alot more nuanced than this video allows. Bye!”
From Variety US