Understanding the Controversy Between Pekora and Pokémon: What Happened?

It’s time to understanding the controversy between Pekora and Pokémon. The otaku community was recently caught off guard by an unexpected situation involving the popular VTuber Usada Pekora and the Pokémon franchise.

The controversy began after Nintendo requested the removal of a livestream by the Hololive member, raising suspicions that a hacked cartridge of Pokémon Emerald might have been used. Here’s a breakdown of the Pekora and Pokémon Emerald controversy and why it became such a hot topic across social media and fan forums.

Understanding the Controversy Between Pekora and Pokémon Emerald: What Happened?

On March 29, Usada Pekora held a livestream where her goal was to find a rare shiny Mew in the game Pokémon Emerald. The idea was to purchase multiple used cartridges until she found one that contained the item “Old Sea Map.”

This item in Pokémon Emerald allows players to travel to Faraway Island, where Mew can be encountered and captured. However, the map was only obtainable through exclusive real-life events in 2005 held in Japan and Taiwan.

While Pekora was playing the game live, some Japanese fans quickly noticed something odd. Many began to suspect that the cartridge Pekora was using was actually a hacked ROM version of Pokémon Emerald.

It is speculated that by purchasing multiple cartridges from online sellers, Pekora may have unknowingly acquired a modified or hacked version of the game. This would potentially violate Nintendo’s broadcasting guidelines.

After online buzz surrounding the situation, COVER Corporation — the agency behind Hololive — reached out directly to Nintendo for clarification. In response, the gaming giant requested the livestream video be removed and reiterated the importance of avoiding content that may infringe upon its policies.

Understanding the Controversy Between Pekora and Pokémon

The incident sparked intense debates within the fan community and highlighted Nintendo’s strict stance regarding the use of its games in public broadcasts. Although there has been no official confirmation that the cartridge was indeed hacked, mere suspicion was enough for the company to take action.

Moreover, several so-called “Nintendo fans” and “Pekora haters” tried to escalate the situation, pushing a narrative that Pekora was aware of the hacked cartridge, which has not been proven.

In an official statement, COVER Corporation apologized to fans, reported that the video had been made private, and announced plans to reinforce educational measures to prevent similar issues in the future.

Hacking in Pokémon: A More Common Practice Than You Think

Pekora’s case connects to a broader issue in Japan: the illegal modification of Pokémon game data. For example, in a recent 2024 incident, a 36-year-old man was arrested for altering data in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and selling hacked rare Pokémon.

According to NHK, the man offered bundles like “6 Pokémon for just 30 dollars” and made millions of yen from the activity, which is considered a crime under Japan’s Unfair Competition Prevention Act. Penalties can include up to five years in prison or fines of up to 5 million yen.

Later in 2024, another man, aged 32, was arrested for selling hacked cartridges of Pokémon Sun. It all began when police found online listings such as: “Save file with over 800 Pokémon.” Suspecting foul play, authorities contacted Nintendo, which helped track the seller.

This individual was selling each ROM for 5,200 yen. Police asked Nintendo to examine the cartridges, and the company confirmed they had been modified. Authorities then searched his home, confiscating his computer and 37 additional games.

via Você Sabia Anime