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Pikachu protesters, Studio Ghibli memes and the subversive power of cuteness

  • Written by Yii-Jan Lin, Associate Professor of New Testament, Yale University
imageThe Pokémon character Pikachu has become the unofficial symbol of the opposition to Turkish President Recep Erdogan.Pat Batard/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images

In Antalya, Turkey, in the early hours of March 27, 2025, Pikachu was spotted fleeing the police, making a getaway as fast as his short yellow legs could waddle.

The person dressed as...

Read more: Pikachu protesters, Studio Ghibli memes and the subversive power of cuteness

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