Full Breakdown
Japanese Anime Fans Mobilize Against Donald Trump's Unauthorized Use of Manga Characters
6/11/2026, 6:40:59 AM
Trump’s Anime-Infused Posts Prompt Backlash
In June 2026 President Donald Trump posted a video on Truth Social that placed his likeness onto Naruto Uzumaki, the protagonist of Masashi Kishimoto’s manga. The clip followed a March White House X video that spliced footage of U.S. strikes on Iran with scenes from Yu-Gi-Oh! and Dragon Ball, drawing criticism from Japanese creators and fans.
Petition Timeline and Growth
Fans flagged the March video and launched a Change.org petition, “Protect Japanese Manga,” in late March. The petition was sent to Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which asked the U.S. Embassy for clarification on the unauthorised use of Yu-Gi-Oh! and Nintendo content. After the June 6 Naruto post, organizers reopened the petition on June 9 as “urgent,” and signatures neared 20,000.
Key Actors and Official Responses
The petition’s lead organizer is Nana Suzuki, a 34-year-old anime fan from Kanagawa. Pokémon Company International’s spokeswoman Sravanthi Dev said the firm was not involved in creating or distributing the imagery and that its mission is to unite people, not to support any political agenda. The official Yu-Gi-Oh! X account said neither the creators nor the production staff authorized the use of its intellectual property. Shueisha, Naruto’s publisher, said copyright for the images rests with the film production committee and that creator Masashi Kishimoto has not commented.
Fan Criticism, Petition Data and Cultural Concerns
The petition lists nearly 20,000 signatories, with some sources citing “more than 20,000.” Fans such as Matsui Qunishige argue that using characters without permission “shows you can’t follow the rules and disregards culture,” while Kei Fukuyosh calls the practice “ethically lacking.” Organizers stress that series like Naruto, Dragon Ball and Yu-Gi-Oh! convey values of courage, friendship and perseverance, which they say are compromised when the imagery appears in political or military contexts.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources list the petition size as either “nearly 20,000” or “more than 20,000.” The White House has not commented on the Naruto video.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We were not involved in its creation or distribution,” — Sravanthi Dev, Pokémon Company International spokeswoman
- “The original creators and anime staff were not involved in any way, and no permission was given for the use of the intellectual property in question.” — Official Yu-Gi-Oh! X account
- “If you respect the creators and those involved and have obtained their permission, I think that’s fine. Otherwise, you’re just showing yourself to be someone who can’t follow the rules and who disregards culture. And that criticism will likely be directed at Americans. They’re the ones who chose [Trump].” — Matsui Qunishige, fan
- “Kazuki Takahashi, the creator of Yu-Gi-Oh!, passed away after attempting to rescue someone in the ocean,” — Nana Suzuki, petition organizer
