Regardless of whether you have heard of the Depressed Wojak or not, there is no denying that it has become quite a popular trend. The question is, why? In this article, we will look at some of the most common questions regarding the Depressed Wojak and what makes it so popular.
To answer these questions, we'll take a deep dive into the reasons behind the Depressed Wojak's widespread appeal and its place in internet culture.
Why is the Depressed Wojak meme so Popular?
Among the most popular internet memes of recent years, the depressed Wojak is a character that often represents a range of stereotypes. As an archetype, Wojak depicts a generic person or immature person, embodying various personas within meme culture. The character is a picture macro and is typically portrayed wearing black clothing, with a concerned look and dark circles under his eyes, often with an expression that is pained but dealing with it, conveying a sense of being useless or helpless. Common phrases associated with Wojak and related characters further highlight these emotional states.
The origins of the character trace back to 2009 on the Polish imageboard forum called Vichan. He was published by Christian Grodecki, a Polish user of the forum. The meme quickly spread across many imageboards, including 4chan, Krautchan, and Reddit, becoming a staple of the internet's meme culture. The character later morphed into the “doomer” subculture. Its image features black hair and sad eyes. Its identikit is that of a middle-aged adult.
The character was later reused on the /lit/ and /b/ boards. The character is often depicted with a thin build and messy hair. His eyes are sometimes obscured by shade, while his right arm is sometimes shown strong. The format of Wojak comics allows for a wide range of scenarios and emotions, making it a versatile tool for expressing human experiences online.
The character became popular on the /r9k/ and /lit/ boards in 2018. He was later reused on the /biz/ board. He was also used to mock the liberal herd mentality in the New York Times, and some variants were adopted by the alt right, either as satire or as a means of self-identification.
The “doomer girl” meme was also created, and it quickly spread across the internet. It features a black-haired cartoon girl with sad eyes. The character’s identikit is that of ostensibly a “doomer,” which is an acronym for “addicted to porn.” The “doomer girl” is sometimes linked with the “soyjak” subculture. Its images are accompanied by a quote and image macro, and often show variants paired with other meme characters, such as Pepe the Frog.
Wojak’s popularity is attributed to his versatile comic power. The format of Wojak comics enables creators to depict a variety of stereotypes and emotional states, such as pessimism, clinical depression, apathy, and even a disenchantment with millennials. Wojak and related memes often use irony, especially in the context of the doomer character, to express emotional repression and philosophical outlooks. The doomer Wojak, in particular, is influenced by philosophical ideas like Nihilism and Malthusianism, shaping his worldview and the themes explored in the meme.
The depressed Wojak is available in a variety of styles, including t-shirts, women’s clothing, and men’s clothing. The popularity of the character is also evidenced by the variety of online stores that sell Wojak products.
When was the earliest archived appearance of the Depressed Wojak?
Despite being a well-known internet meme, it’s unclear exactly when the Depressed Wojak first showed up online. In fact, there are several variants of the character. It is often represented as an expressionless figure with black eye circles. However, the character can acquire a variety of characteristics depending on who is depicted. It is also used to represent different categories of people. Originally created as a character from the video game Krautchan, the meme originated on the Polish imageboard, making the location of its creation significant to its early spread. It later gained popularity as a surreal image.
At a certain moment, Wojak memes surged in popularity, especially as users would log into forums and platforms to share or view the latest variations. A simple search online now reveals a vast collection of Wojak memes, reflecting their widespread appeal. The NPC version of the character was initially used to mock the liberal herd mentality. It was also used as a profile picture on Twitter by about 1500 accounts. However, after media exposes, Twitter removed the accounts. It is believed that the popularity of the NPC character came after the “No Nut November” craze, in which people were challenged to stop masturbating for a month.
The illustration that first appeared on Vichan imageboard forum in 2009 soon gained popularity. It was later associated with “that feel when” and “that feel when you are happy.” It has also been used in reaction images and surreal memes, including the well-known 'two wojaks' meme, which features two Wojaks embracing to convey empathy and shared emotion.
The character first showed up as a doomer with a beanie. His body shape was slightly distorted, with a thin build and a messy beard. It has also been shown with bloodshot eyes and a strong right arm. The illustration has also been associated with male grief and emptiness. It was first published by Christian Grodecki, who was a Polish user of Krautchan.
The character eventually gained online popularity and was reused on several other boards, including the /b/, /biz/, /r9k/, and /lit/ boards. It was later used by the New York Times in a mocking of the liberal herd mentality. If you want to experience the meme's impact, be sure to watch some of the most viral Wojak-related videos online.
The Wojak Universe and Its Characters
The Wojak universe is a sprawling landscape of internet creativity, where a simple drawing of a bald man—known as Feels Guy—has given rise to a rich cast of characters and countless meme formats. At the heart of this universe is the original Wojak meme, instantly recognizable for its wistful, melancholic expression. This character, often referred to as “that feel guy” or simply “wojak,” has become a symbol for expressing everything from nostalgia to existential dread, making it a staple on every major meme sharing website.
What makes the Wojak universe so compelling is its diversity of characters, each representing a different facet of online life and emotion. The Crying Wojak, for example, is a variant that captures moments of frustration, disappointment, or vulnerability, often used in memes to highlight the struggles of everyday existence. The NPC Wojak, with its blank stare and gray face, pokes fun at conformity and the idea of people acting like non-playable characters in a video game—an image that quickly gained popularity for its satirical take on social and political issues.
Another key figure is the Doomer Wojak, a character that embodies a sense of hopelessness and disillusionment, often depicted with a beanie, dark circles, and a cigarette. The Doomer Girl, his female counterpart, brings a similar sense of melancholy, while the Trad Girl and Trad Wife characters offer a contrasting perspective, representing traditional gender roles and conservative values. These female Wojaks, often shown in a blue dress or modest attire, have sparked discussions about stereotypes and the evolving nature of online identity.
The evolution of the Wojak meme has also seen it paired with other iconic internet characters, most notably Pepe the Frog. This pairing, sometimes described as a “platonic romance” within the memescape, has led to the creation of new meme formats like “Feels Good Man” and “Feels Bad Man,” as well as the affectionate “Feel Bro” and the bittersweet “Wojaks Hugging.” These combinations highlight the meme’s flexibility and its ability to capture a wide range of emotions, from camaraderie to loneliness.
Wojak memes have not only dominated meme sharing websites and imageboards but have also seeped into pop culture, referenced in music, television, and even art. The characters’ simple yet expressive faces make them perfect for conveying complex feelings in a single image, and their adaptability has ensured their continued relevance as internet culture evolves. The earliest archived appearance of the Wojak meme dates back to a Polish imageboard in 2009, where it was posted under the file name “ciepłatwarz.jpg.” From there, the image spread rapidly, inspiring countless variants and becoming a fixture of online expression.
Today, the Wojak universe is more vibrant than ever, with new characters and formats emerging regularly. Whether it’s the big brain Wojak representing intellectual superiority, the Doomer Wojak lamenting the state of the world, or the Trad Girl embodying conservative ideals, each variant adds a new layer to the ongoing story of Wojak. The meme’s enduring popularity is a testament to its ability to evolve, adapt, and resonate with people from all walks of life, making it one of the internet’s most iconic and influential creations.
