Nintendo steps in after Hololive's Usada Pekora allegedly used a cartridge that has undergone illegal modification in her livestream.
Hololive's third-generation Vtuber Usada Pekora got her Pokemon Emerald livestream delisted on her channel after Nintendo stepped in to request cooperation from Cover Corp. The request stemmed from concerns that the cartridge she used in the stream may have been modified or hacked, potentially violating Nintendo's content guidelines.
The issue started on 29 March 2025 when Usada Pekora hosted a livestream where she attempted to find a shiny Mew in Pokemon Emerald. She purchased multiple second-hand cartridges in hopes of obtaining the Old Sea Map item that was exclusively distributed at a Pokemon event in Japan in 2005. This item allows players to legally encounter Mew in the game.
However, her viewers raised concerns regarding one of the cartridges that Pekora bought. They suspected that one of them might have been hacked.
Following the livestream, Nintendo filed a request for the video to be delisted, citing potential violations of their livestreaming guidelines. While there is no confirmation that Pekora knowingly used a hacked cartridge, Nintendo took action to ensure that their intellectual properties was not associated with unauthorised modifications.
Cover Corp. releases statement regarding the livesteam
On 9 April 2025, Cover Corp., the parent company of Hololive, responded to the situation. They stated that they had removed the video and would take additional precautions to prevent similar incidents in the future. They also apologised to the fans and assured them that they would increase awareness among their talents regarding the issue.
While Usada Pekora’s livestream was removed, the situation highlights the challenges that Vtubers and content creators face when dealing with second-hand game cartridges and strict corporate policies. Cover Corp's response suggests that they will be more cautious moving forward, ensuring that their talents comply with Nintendo’s guidelines.
