PokeNational: popular YouTube channel faces removal after Nintendo copyright strikes

The popular YouTube channel PokeNational, which focuses on fan-made Pokémon documentaries, is on the verge of being permanently removed after multiple copyright strikes from Nintendo. Nintendo and The Pokémon Company are known for aggressively enforcing copyright, and they have not hesitated to pursue multimillion-dollar lawsuits.

The PokeNational phenomenon

PokeNational stood out by sharing high-quality animations in a nature-documentary style. The PokeNational Geographic series became widely popular by creatively imagining how Pokémon would behave in the real world. That drew attention from both Pokémon fans and copyright enforcers.

Copyright strikes and the consequences

Elious, the creator behind the PokeNational channel, confirmed that Nintendo has issued multiple copyright strikes against his Pokémon animations. In a video posted on April 26, 2026, titled "I have 7 days," Elious said the strikes arrived in batches overnight. Within 12 hours, around 20 videos had already been removed from the channel. A Nintendo of America notice said the strikes were related to the use of content from Pokémon video games, including audiovisual works, characters, and images.

Elious defended himself by saying he uses almost no content from the games, aside from small sound clips of Pokémon cries, which he believes fall under fair use. He also admitted he was unsure about his chances of fighting the situation, given that the channel had already received four strikes, while YouTube can issue a permanent ban after three strikes within 90 days.

The future of fan creations

Nintendo's strict copyright enforcement has raised concerns in the Pokémon community about the future of fan creations. Elious was especially worried about other popular Pokémon fan channels, such as Pokémon Conservationist, which could face similar treatment. Despite these challenges, the Pokémon community remains active, with fan creations expected to keep growing, especially with Pokémon Winds and Waves set for release in 2027.

Conclusion

The PokeNational situation highlights a broader issue in gaming and content creation, where creators and players want to share their love for their favorite franchises in unique ways. Nintendo's hardline approach raises questions about the balance between copyright protection and fans' creative freedom. Elious has decided to stop making Pokémon content, but the passion for the franchise will likely continue in other forms of media.