The Dark Side of Pokémon: 30 Years of Controversies You Never Knew About

Pokémon turns 30 in 2026, but not everything about the world's biggest media franchise is cute and cuddly. From mass seizures in Japan to Burger King’s toy recall after a child’s death, banned episodes, swastikas on trading cards, and Pokémon GO becoming such a sensation that it became a talking point during a US presidential election, the history of Pokémon overlaps with some very strange corners of real life. We're breaking down some of the most notable controversies, debacles, incidents, snafus and hubbubs from Pokémon's 30-year history (the ones Nintendo doesn't want you to remember.)