Bandai Namco condemns AI-Generated gunpla Mockups Depicting Charlie Kirk Assassination
NEW YORK, NY – bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America Inc. has issued a statement condemning the use of its logo on AI-generated images depicting graphic content related to the recent shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. The images, circulating online, falsely present mockups of Gunpla (Gundam plastic models) packaging featuring the moment of the September 10th shooting at Utah Valley University.
The company’s statement, released via its social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), explicitly disavows any connection to the disturbing imagery. While not naming Kirk or the shooting directly, Bandai Namco stated it was made aware of “AI-generated images circulating online that depict the Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America Inc. logo on packaging associated with graphic or violent content, including references to recent events.”
“We want to make it unequivocally clear: Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America Inc. strongly condemns any form of violence and does not support or endorse the use of our brand, products, or logo in any such context,” the statement reads. “These images are not created, approved, or affiliated with our company in any way.”
Bandai Namco confirmed it is indeed actively investigating the matter and taking steps to report and remove the unauthorized content,emphasizing the misuse of its intellectual property is “deeply concerning and will not be tolerated.” The company encourages anyone encountering similar misuse to report it directly.
The incident highlights a growing concern surrounding the rapid proliferation of AI-generated content and its potential for misuse, notably in sensitive situations. Kirk was shot while speaking at a Turning Point USA event on the Utah Valley University campus; the shooter is in custody.
This controversy follows a wider backlash stemming from Kirk’s death,with reactions from public figures and the unrelated involvement of the video game Helldivers 2. Reports surfaced that bullet casings from the shooting were engraved with a reference to the game, sparking renewed debate about the potential link between violent video games and real-world violence – a connection long disputed by researchers.
The Bandai Namco statement underscores the challenges companies face in protecting their brands from being exploited in the wake of tragic events, particularly as AI technology makes the creation of deceptive content increasingly accessible.
