#SaveSpongeBobAnime

Overview

#SaveSpongeBobAnime is the hashtag referring to the controversy and backlash against YouTube for deleting the anime-themed SpongeBob Squarepants parody series created by Narmak due to "violating child safety policy." The deletion occurred in early August 2020 but was reinstated shortly after the campaign to save the animated series on social media began trending.

Background

On July 24th, 2020, Narmak, via his Twitter,^[1] announced the premiere of a SpongeBob Squarepants anime series titled, "Bubble Bass. Arc" The tweet received more than 8,400 likes and 1,800 retweets (shown below).

Video Takedown

In the early morning of August 1st, 2020, Narmak uploaded a tweet^[2] and informed people that his video was deleted by YouTube because it violated child safety policy. He also said that his channel already had two strikes and that another would result in the removal of his YouTube channel. The tweet received more than 44,200 likes and 9,300 retweets (shown below).

My SpongeBob anime Episode 1 was taken down from YouTube. They tell me it was because I violated their "child safety policy." It was marked as not for children.I now have 2 strikes on my channel. One more strike, and my YouTube channel is gone. @TeamYouTube what the hell pic.twitter.com/OUG8DgLm6Y

— NARMAK (@NARMAK13) August 1, 2020

Appeal Attempt

Later in the day on August 1st, Narmak attempted to appeal his video to Team YouTube's Twitter,^[3] and stated that "I've appealed it, and am waiting for @TeamYouTube's response, but right now I'm sitting in the dark." The tweet received more than 4,500 likes and 163 retweets (shown below).

Developments

After the news came to light, internet users were upset about the takedown. For example on August 1st, 2020, Twitter^[4] user @RiseFallNick uploaded tweet to protesting it. The tweet received more than 2.100 likes and 415 retweets (shown below, left). It was also spreading to another platform such as Facebook. On the same day, Facebook^[5] user Aulia Rahman Hakim uploaded screenshots of Narmak's tweet. The post received 31 reactions and 78 shares (shown below, right).

Appeal Rejected

In the afternoon of August 1st, Narmak announced on Twitter^[6] that YouTube rejected his appeal and upheld their decision (shown below). The tweet received over 61,800 likes and 15,000 retweets and comments in roughly 48 hours.

So @YouTube rejected my appeal to get the spongebob anime episode back up. No support, nobody to talk to me: just an automated email.I'm tired and frustrated, but I won't give up. Thank you everyone for your support; we NEED someone at YouTube to help. #SaveSpongeBobAnime pic.twitter.com/rCy3NcWM0h

— NARMAK (@NARMAK13) August 1, 2020

Video Revived

On August 2nd, 2020, Narmak then tweeted^[9] that his video was revived, and the second strike on his YouTube channel had disappeared. The tweet received more than 38,400 likes and 4,500 retweets (shown below).

Search Interest

External References