#IsThisAPigeon
Resurrected anime meme format questioning basic misidentifications.
Origin & Impact
In May 2018, a screenshot from the 1990s anime “The Brave Fighter of Sun Fighbird” became the year’s most versatile meme format. The image shows a character pointing at a butterfly asking “Is this a pigeon?” Users applied the format to mock misunderstandings in politics, technology, and daily life. Within weeks, millions of variations flooded Twitter.
The meme’s genius lay in its simplicity—perfect for calling out anything from tech companies claiming innovation to people misidentifying basic concepts. It became 2018’s answer to “Distracted Boyfriend,” dominating meme culture for months. Brands quickly co-opted the format, with varying success.
Related Hashtags
#AnimeMemes #MemeOfTheYear #ButterflyMeme