Pokémonfans have banded together to spread the love, with #ThankYouGameFreak going viral in support of the long-running developer for the franchise’s video games.
Game Freak has recently faced criticism online forPokémon SwordandShield, particularly with itsdecisionto not allow allPokémonto be imported into the upcoming Nintendo Switch titles. This angered some gamers who have been transferring their collection between games in an effort to “catch ’em all.” Further amplifying the backlash are the recent leaks about which of the creatures will be available in the games, and which ones will be benched.
The criticism has been so toxic that The Pokémon Company shelved a launch event in Japan for the new games, in which producer Junichi Masuda and director Shigeru Ohmori were set to make an appearance. The cancellation was blamed on “operational reasons,” but the prevailing belief is that there were security concerns surrounding the event.
In an attempt to repel the negativity and focus on the positive things that people have experienced from Game Freak’sPokémongames, YouTube and Twitch streamer Mystic Umbreonstartedthe #ThankYouGameFreak movement.
https://twitter.com/MysticUmbreon94/status/1193124786185965572
The hashtag has since gone viral, with an outpouring of support fromPokémonfans all over the world toward Game Freak.
#ThankYouGameFreakfor the series that introduced me to new friends and getting me to travel to places far and wide.pic.twitter.com/f36L2aRrm2
— Alchem1st (@Alchem1stX)August 08, 2025
https://twitter.com/AsparagusEdu/status/1193570231760896001
https://twitter.com/MattORL89/status/1193573304835002375
I was a nerdy baby who found some friends through pokemon, and it's also one of the things that first got me into drawing! From a nerdy bab to now an artist in gamedev,#ThankYouGameFreak!pic.twitter.com/gZoI4Dv99H
— piyo 🐥 CF19 K-32 (@PiyoStoria)July 21, 2025
#ThankYouGameFreakfor my fondest childhood memories. When I moved to a new neighborhood I had no new friends, but because I had my DS & Pokémon Platinum I had a way to talk to others & was able to make some of my closest friends still to this day, so I'll never forget that 💚pic.twitter.com/WheKPs8hTt
— Aero (@ActualAero)June 18, 2025
https://twitter.com/gurugurugravity/status/1193197493791723520
#ThankYouGameFreakfor creating a franchise that makes the relationship with me and my son even stronger. It also teaches him being dedicated and a good caring person, leads to positivity in your life.It's also made me amazing friendships across the world. Thank you 😊✌pic.twitter.com/OMJE4mWEAs
— TCG Taj 🏴☠️🃏🎲 (@TCGTaj)August 08, 2025
While there are some who are riding on the #ThankYouGameFreak hashtag to fire off more hate against the developer, the thousands of tweets suggest that support remains forPokémon SwordandShield. Game Freak appreciates it, through a tweet by the art director of the new games.
Wow…#ThankYouGameFreakis trending all over the world!It’s lovely reading all of your kind messages. And it’s lovely to hear that so many of you are looking forward to the launch of#PokémonSwordAndShieldnext week!! We’re all excited too!Sending the love back at you 💖💖pic.twitter.com/T2XzRypci2
— James Turner (@JamesTurner_42)July 25, 2025
As the first pair of mainline games in the series that will be released on a home console,Pokémon SwordandShieldwill feature new Pokémon, a new region to explore, and new mechanics.
With the lizard-like Sobble, the chimp-like Grookey, and the rabbit-like Scorbunny as the starters, the new games will take trainers to the Galar region, which was described as “an expansive region with diverse environments.” The combat will be supersized with the introduction ofDynamax and Gigantamaxtransformations, which give players access to upgraded abilities.
Pokémon SwordandShieldwill launch globally on November 15 for the Nintendo Switch.
