President Donald Trump posted a picture on Truth Social that contains Pepe the Frog, sometimes used as a hate symbol, and uses a QAnon tagline.

Perhaps that’s why Pikachu again popped up at two other protests: at an anti-Netanyahu demonstration in Israel on April 5, 2025, and at an anti-Trump rally in Washington, D.C. that same day.

Perhaps that’s why Pikachu again popped up at two other protests: at an anti-Netanyahu demonstration in Israel on April 5, 2025, and at an anti-Trump rally in Washington, D.C. that same day.

Both the Pikachu protester and the viral Studio Ghibli-esque animations demonstrate the global appeal of cuteness. But to me, there’s more to cute than its ability to go viral.

Both the Pikachu protester and the viral Studio Ghibli-esque animations demonstrate the global appeal of cuteness. But to me, there's more to cute than its ability to go viral.