Yu-Gi-Oh! has publicly criticized the White House for using footage from the anime series without authorization in a recent pro-war social media video. The anime's official X account stated that no permission was granted and the rights holders were not involved in any capacity. The video, posted on March 6, features various popular characters, including the main character Yugi Muto, and has garnered over 64 million views. The controversy follows earlier statements from other celebrities involved, such as Master Chief voice actor Steve Downes, who also objected to the use of their voice in the same video. This incident highlights the White House's current social media strategy that reportedly includes utilizing popular cultural references.

Why is Yu-Gi-Oh! angry with the White House?

Yu-Gi-Oh! is upset due to the unauthorized use of their anime footage in a pro-war video, which they claim violates their intellectual property rights.

Yu-Gi-Oh! originated as a manga created by Kazuki Takahashi in 1996 and has since become a major multimedia franchise, encompassing an anime series, video games, and a trading card game. The franchise gained widespread popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s, establishing a dedicated fanbase that remains active today. Recent releases include promotional anime content and new expansions for the trading card game, further solidifying its cultural impact in the gaming community.