A backlash has erupted over the use of Japanese anime characters by former US president Donald Trump in social media posts, with around 20,000 people signing a petition in protest.
The petition, titled “Protect Japanese Manga” on Change.org, objects to a video posted on the official White House account on X which allegedly featured unauthorised images from popular series including Dragon Ball, Yu-Gi-Oh! and Naruto.
Fans of Japanese anime and manga have urged Trump to stop using the characters, expressing strong dissatisfaction on social media, according to a report by The Guardian.
The petition was launched in March and submitted to the Japanese government, its creators said, after a video combining footage of US strikes on Iran with anime scenes was posted on the White House account.
“Subsequently, regarding the unauthorized use of Yu-Gi-Oh! and Nintendo games on the official White House X account, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made a general appeal to the U.S. Embassy in Japan,” states the petition.
“However, on June 9, 2026, a Naruto-style video was posted on President Trump's official social media. Therefore, we are reopening this petition as an urgent effort to convey our protest and concern regarding this matter to the rights holders and to work in solidarity to lobby the Japanese government,” it added.
The official Yu-Gi-Oh! account on X issued a statement at the time, saying: "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."
However, an image posted on Truth Social over the weekend depicting Trump as Naruto Uzumaki from the Naruto franchise reignited the controversy, prompting renewed support for the petition on Tuesday and a pledge by organisers to step up pressure on the Japanese government.
“We are fans who deeply cherish Japanese manga and anime works,” the petition reads, adding that supporters have “very mixed feelings” about a video “depicting military actions” shared on an official US government social media account and including footage from Japanese anime works.
Source: CNA
