Pokemon TikTok’s Heartbreaking Farewell: Ash Cries Hugging Pikachu

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Summary

  • Pokemon TikTok bids tearful farewell to fans before nationwide ban in the US on January 19, 2025.
  • Its last video shared is the iconic Butterfree scene from 1997, invoking nostalgia and sadness.
  • Despite Supreme Court ruling and political opposition, hope remains for US TikTok users.

The official Pokémon TikTok account has said goodbye to its followers, as TikTok is set to be banned nationwide in the United States. With over a million followers and more than 10 million likes on its videos, the English-speaking TikTok account for the international Pokémon Company has used clips from the anime series to express a heartfelt farewell to its American audience.

The United States Congress mandated a nationwide prohibition of the popular app in March 2024, aiming to compel ByteDance, its China-based owner, to relinquish control over the social media platform. This ban is set to become effective on January 19, 2025. Several attempts have been made to maintain the app’s accessibility for American users; however, a recent Supreme Court ruling has backed Congress’ decision, emphasizing that app users could potentially be manipulated by foreign adversaries.

On TikTok’s last day before its suspension, Pokemon Company International bid a heartfelt goodbye reminiscent of one from 1997. In what might be its final act, the account shared a touching scene from the Pokemon anime, where Ash Ketchum and Butterfree parted ways, with Ash letting Butterfree go to live among its own kind, accompanied by its pink companion. The episode featuring this emotional moment is the 21st in the series, titled “Bye Bye Butterfree.” This scene holds special significance because Butterfree was the first Pokemon Ash ever caught, as a Caterpie. The post’s text reads, “Thanks for the memories, Trainers,” encouraging fans to follow Pokemon on other social media platforms.

Pokemon TikTok Says Goodbye Through the Infamously Sad Butterfree Scene

25 years apart, Ash and Butterfree reconnected, but U.S. TikTok users might not have such a long gap in their friendship. According to USA Today, the current administration of President Biden has no intention of implementing the ban that was scheduled for his final day in office. On the other hand, former President Trump, who had previously signed an executive order banning TikTok in 2020, hinted on Meet the Press that he might extend the deadline by 90 days. Some political experts believe that Trump may be open to finding a buyer for TikTok or working with ByteDance to find a way to keep it operational.

TikTok’s CEO, Shou Chew, has commended former President Trump for his cooperation with TikTok’s management, enabling the platform to keep serving its 170 million daily U.S. users. Chew expressed in a video message that this action represents a firm support for the First Amendment and resistance against unjust censorship. The initial bill aimed at banning TikTok was overwhelmingly supported by both parties in Congress, with Republicans voting 197 to 15 and Democrats voting 155 to 50.

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2025-01-19 02:38