Pokemon is saying goodbye to TikTok in the most heartbreaking way

Summary

  • Pokemon TikTok says a tearful goodbye to fans before its nationwide ban in the US on January 19, 2025.

  • The last video shared is the iconic Butterfree scene from 1997, which evokes nostalgia and sadness.

  • Despite the Supreme Court ruling and political opposition, hope remains for US TikTok users.

The official Pokémon The TikTok account has said goodbye to its fans ahead of the video-based social media app's looming nationwide ban in the United States. With one million followers and more than 10 million likes across its entire video catalog, the English-language TikTok account is for Pokémon Company Int'l delved into the anime series to say a tearful goodbye to its American fans.

A US Congress-ordered nationwide ban on the app, imposed in March 2024 as an ultimatum to pressure China-based owner ByteDance to sell ownership of the social media platform, will take place on January 19, 2025. Despite several efforts to ensure the social media app's use by U.S. audiences, a recent unanimous U.S. Supreme Court ruling on TikTok upheld Congress' decision, citing app users' “vulnerability to control by foreign adversaries.” listed.

Related

MrBeast has been approached by billionaires about buying TikTok

MrBeast suggests the possibility of buying TikTok to avoid a ban in the US and a number of billionaires have contacted him about it.

In a heartfelt farewell on TikTok's last full day before the ban, Pokemon Company International shared a similarly fond farewell from 1997. In what may have been a final act, the account shared one of the most famous and touching moments from the year Pokémon anime, when Ash Ketchum and Butterfree said goodbye to each other, with the former releasing the latter to live among his own kind along with his pink Butterfree companion. The episode in which the scene takes place is only the 21st in the series and is titled “Bye Bye Butterfree”, but has special significance as Butterfree was the first Pokemon Ash ever caught when he was still a caterpillar was. “Thanks for the memories, coach,” the text of the post reads, inviting fans to follow Pokémon on other social media platforms.

Pokemon TikTok says goodbye to the infamously sad Butterfree scene

Although Ash and Butterfree reunited 25 years later, there is still hope that TikTok users in the US won't have to wait that long. USA Today has reported that outgoing President Joe Biden's administration has no plans to enforce the ban, which is set to take effect on his last full day in office. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump, who signed an executive order banning TikTok during his first term in 2020, recently told Meet the Press that he would likely push back the deadline by 90 days, with some political analysts speculating that to work with ByteDance to find a buyer for TikTok or otherwise obtain it.

TikTok CEO Shou Chew responded to the Supreme Court's decision by praising Trump for his willingness to work with the company's leadership so that the company can continue to provide services to its 170 million daily users in the United States. Chew's video statement said the move was “a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship.” The original congressional proposal to ban TikTok was largely approved by both major political parties in the House of Representatives: Republicans approved it 197-15 and Democrats approved it 155-50.

Pokemon game series

Pokémon

Pokemon is a franchise that needs no introduction. Pokemon is one of the most successful media empires in history, spanning games, television, films, manga, merchandise, music and more.

Created by

Satoshi Tajiri

Leave a Comment