Popular Pokémon Fan YouTube Channel To Be Removed After Nintendo Copyright Strikes

The popular YouTube channel behind the fan-made Pokémon Documentary, PokeNational, faces permanent deletion after Nintendo issues multiple copyright strikes. Nintendo and The Pokemon Company are known for not holding back when it comes to copyright infringement, to the point of filing million dollar lawsuits. However, many Pokémon players consider the companies' practices controversial when they affect fan creations.

After 30 years since the first one Pokemon red and green games, the franchise has gathered a large community. Players often share their fan creations to express their love for the saga while showing off their abilities. YouTube channel PokeNational has shared high quality Pokémon fan animations in nature documentary style. The channel's PokeNational Geographic series became popular for creatively imagining how Pokémon would behave in reality. However, PokeNational has likely come to an end due to allegations of copyright infringement.

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Why Nintendo's Copyright Struck PokeNational YouTube Channel

Elious, the creator of the PokeNational Geographic YouTube channel, revealed that Nintendo had copyrighted several of his Pokémon animations, and the channel will likely be deleted. In an April 26 YouTube video titled “I have 7 days,” Elious explained that he received the warnings in batches overnight, and the platform had already removed about 20 videos within 12 hours. “It all seems legit,” the creator said. “From the actual, real Nintendo of America.” Elious cited Nintendo of America's reasoning for beating PokeNational, saying it is linked to using content from Pokémon video games, “including audiovisual works, characters and images.” However, the animator defended that he does not use any video game content, except for small audio snippets of Pokémon sounds, but this use should “fall under fair use.” In addition to this, almost all animated content in his videos is original.

“I can't fight this,” the PokeNational creator continued. “I don't know how to save the channel, I don't know if I can.” Elious said his channel already had four warnings from YouTube. According to the platform's copyright policy, a channel can be permanently suspended after three strikes in 90 days. Additionally, PokeNational has already received a seven-day notice of deletion. At the time of writing, the channel can no longer be reached on YouTube. “PokeNational is dead,” Elious concluded. He will continue to share original animations on his other channel, EliousEntertainmentYT, but will never create Pokémon content again. The animator added that he will not oppose Nintendo of America's strikes, as the legal battle would be too tough. Sure, Nintendo is known for its strict consequences for trademark infringement. In 2024, for example, The Pokemon Company won a $15 million lawsuit for copyright infringement.

Elious admitted that his PokeNational channel opened many doors for him. It allowed him to show his animation skills and helped him get internships and jobs. Regardless, the creator expressed concern about other popular Pokémon fan channels like Pokemon Conservationist could potentially face the same fate. Nintendo has been criticized in the past for being too ruthless when it comes to copyright infringement. For example, Nintendo's lawsuit against Palworld was considered “a clear case of bullying” by industry experts.

Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's drastic copyright sanctions can sometimes affect artists and fan creators. Despite this, Pokémon gamers will likely continue to share fan art in various forms of media. With the 2027 release of Pokemon winds and waveseven more fan creations are sure to come in the years to come.