The official Pokémon TikTok account has shared an emotional goodbye with its fans as the nationwide ban on TikTok in the United States approaches. The account, which amassed over a million followers and 10 million likes, marked its farewell by posting a nostalgic clip from the beloved Pokémon anime series: Ash Ketchum’s heart-wrenching goodbye to Butterfree in the 1997 episode Bye Bye Butterfree.
The post, captioned “Thanks for the memories, Trainers,” resonated deeply with fans, many of whom remember the iconic scene as a poignant moment in the series’ history. The account also encouraged followers to stay connected via Pokémon’s other social media platforms.
The TikTok ban, set to take effect on January 19, 2025, follows a unanimous U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding Congress’ order. The ban, initiated in March 2024, aims to pressure TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to divest its ownership due to concerns over “foreign adversary control.”
Although President Joe Biden’s administration has indicated no plans to enforce the ban, incoming President Donald Trump may delay its implementation by 90 days, potentially allowing time for negotiations or a sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations.
TikTok CEO Shou Chew praised Trump’s openness to collaboration, describing it as a stand for the First Amendment. However, the bipartisan support for the ban highlights ongoing security concerns tied to the platform.
For Pokémon fans, the goodbye marks the end of an era on TikTok, but the franchise continues to thrive across games, anime, and other platforms. Despite the app’s U.S. shutdown, the Pokémon community remains hopeful for future connections elsewhere.
Which will you miss more: TikTok or the original Pokémon anime? Let us know in the comments!
