President Trump has faced criticism from Japan due to his use of anime-style imagery on social media. The controversy stems from his portrayal of himself as a character from the popular anime series ‘Naruto.’
The Japanese government expressed disapproval on Friday. A top minister warned that using intellectual property from Japanese companies in this manner could harm the reputation of Japan’s creative exports. Japan has made its stance clear to the United States.
Last Saturday, Trump posted an AI-generated video on his digital platform Truth Social. It showed him dressed as the protagonist from ‘Naruto,’ performing a gesture known from the series. This video drew backlash from fans who claimed the imagery was used without proper consent.
This incident is not isolated. The White House has previously incorporated imagery from anime franchises like ‘Dragon Ball,’ ‘Yu-Gi-Oh!’ and ‘Pokémon.’ In March, anime imagery appeared in a TikTok video posted by the White House to celebrate U.S. airstrikes on Iran.
The White House and the State Department have not commented on the latest criticism from Japan. Similarly, Bandai Namco Entertainment and Studio Pierrot, associated with ‘Naruto,’ have not provided any statements.
Social media posts from the White House have featured characters from other franchises such as ‘SpongeBob SquarePants,’ Marvel, DC Comics, and ‘Call of Duty.’ However, in Japan, anime holds significant cultural value and is central to national identity. The Trump administration’s use of anime for political purposes has ignited strong reactions.
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