The influence of the internet on our minds has come really far. The formula is relatively simple. It takes one post to make it go viral and suddenly millions of people are talking about it. For memes, it’s the reliability and reusability that makes them so popular.
Memes have become a daily part of our lives. Almost every day, I find myself referencing a bunch of memes for the most mundane things. It’s also infiltrating into other forms of media. Advertisements utilize memes to approach a broader audience, so why not manga?
Manga and anime too have created a lot of popular memes. An anime as obscure as The Brave of Sun Fighbird has generated one of the most non-sensical yet relatable memes.
You know a meme is popular when it somehow worms its way into a manga or anime. Attack on Titan itself is a cesspool of memes and popular culture references. Other manga mostly sprinkles it here and there. Gachiakuta, on the other hand, directly references the Martin Scorsese “Absolute Cinema” pose.
Meme culture has taken over all forms of media, including manga and anime
Gachiakuta is a relatively new and underrated dark fantasy manga. While it’s no Berserk or Vagabond, it has an important social message to tell. It gets you hooked straight away with the character art and unique power system. The creator, Kei Urana, is also incredibly interactive with her readers.
In Chapter 129, Tamsy Caines, a major antagonist of Gachiakuta, is mirroring Martin Scorsese’s “Absolute Cinema” pose. Urana confirms on her X page that it is intended to be a tribute.
ABSOLUTE CINEMA
— 裏那圭◾️KEI URANA (@KEI_URANA) March 4, 2025
The mangaka loves having fun with the artwork and it shows how comfortable she’s gotten. Being in tune with popular culture can also enhance how fans engage with it. Urana makes the manga fun as well as thrilling.
This isn’t the only manga that has employed memes within its storytelling. Attack on Titan is rather notorious for this, despite being so serious and dystopian. Hajime Isayama allows some respite from it with memes.
When fans recognize a meme straight away, it creates a different kind of excitement. It shows that the mangaka has a relatable sense of humor and if executed well, gets a kudos. It makes the anime and manga more memorable in the long-run.
Will this trend ever get to the point of becoming tiring?
Too many meme references can often lose the plot. If not utilized well within the storyline, then you know it’s just for adding humor for the sake of it. It can almost feel like your parents trying to get with the times and use a bunch of outdated references.
While meme culture is undeniably fun, other media do need to use it carefully. So far, in anime and manga, it’s been used to enhance the storytelling. However, in marketing strategies, it can get confusing and tiring. Manga authors do need to avoid overusing memes or know when to use them.
Manga and anime culture have a similar effect on Western media. Kaneda’s bike slide in Akira is only one of many. Whether it’s talking about Pokemon or recreating specific popular scenes, Western media too loves to pay homage. If not done right, however, it can become rather cringe.
Overall, meme culture is just a great way to engage your audience. I believe the mangaka should do what feels right. Urana used the “Absolute Cinema” meme in Gachiakuta in a way that fits Tamsy’s character. It’s fun and harmless, but in the end, there has to be a balance.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
