The year 2014 was marked by a peculiar phenomenon in the Japanese pop culture scene. A series of parodies featuring Umi Sonoda, a character from the anime adaptation of Love Live!, began to spread like wildfire on the internet. These parodies, known as "Umi Sonoda Poker Face," showcased funny facial expressions struck by Umi during a trump game scene in the 5th episode of the 2nd season.
Origin
The trend started when fans took screenshots of Umi's hilarious reactions and photoshopped them into various situations. This fad quickly gained traction, with MAD videos and parody illustrations popping up on Nico Nico Douga, Nico Nico Seiga, and pixiv. The poor poker face soon became a subject for memes, spreading across the web.
Similar Cases
Fans pointed out that this kind of reaction is not new in school anime/manga depictions. Similar scenes can be found in Ranma1/2 (1980s), Yuru Yuri, Nisekoi, and Invaders of the Rokujyōma!?. The poor poker face has become a cliche in Japanese pop culture.
Spread
Umi's impressive poker face soon became an official release on LINE stamps in August 2014. Photoshopping fads featuring her poor poker faces caused a trend on Futaba and Twitter. MAD videos, illustrations, and photos continued to spread, showcasing Umi's reactions in various situations.
Various Examples
MAD Videos:
- Rhythm Heaven Remix
- Bob-Omb Battlefield
Illustrations:
- Slow Loris' Victory Pose with UC
- Kyu! Kyu! Kyu! Nya~! dance
Photos:
- Template
Umi Sonoda Poker Face has become a cultural phenomenon, symbolizing the power of internet memes to spread quickly and capture the attention of fans worldwide. This trend demonstrates how pop culture can transcend borders and platforms, uniting people through shared humor and creativity.
References:
- Tyler's blog: http://umisface.blogspot.com/
- Love Live! Official Website
- Nico Nico Douga, Nico Nico Seiga, and pixiv
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