"Y U NO" is an exploitable internet meme.
Description[]
"Y U NO" is an image macro series using SMS shorthands and carefree grammar as a way to bring someone's attention on a particular subject or issue.
History[]
Origin[]
The character's facial expression, full of frustration and rage, can be found in Japanese sci-fi manga Gantz' Chapter 55: Naked King (裸の王様), originally released in February 2002 and the English translation in June 2009. Since the release of English translation, the Gantz image have been reportedly traced by fans and circulating around 4chan imageboards prior to its adaptation in the "Y U NO" series.
Original instance[]
However, the original instance with the "Y U NO" phrasal template was first posted via LOLTumblrWallpapers, which gained over 10,000 reblogs & likes on Tumblr. Set to a beige/light brownish background with the Gantz character placed in center, the image macro read: "I TXT U, Y U NO TXT BAK!?"
During the process of its viral spread, an exploitable version was uploaded onto MemeGenerator, spawning dozens of derivative images based on the following formulaic sentence: "(X, subject noun), <font color= cccccc >[WH]Y <font color= cccccc >[YO]U NO (Y, verb)?".
Spread & popularity[]
In the span of few weeks, Tumblr and Meme Generator have gathered up a sizable collection of the macro series: either as the image, or in text form without the face. It has been also featured on FunnyJunk and other culture-related blogs.
The meme has been also referred to as "TXT BAK" or "Y U NO?" in the internet. It also has its own "plz" account at DeviantART so that users can create their own "Y U NO TROLL" in comments and journals without having to upload an image macro each time. The phrase has been also used in YouTube comments and Omegle chatrooms.
"Y U NO" has also been recently put into advertisements on billboards and magazines, such as a German print ad for the videogame Driver San Francisco and Hipchat. It has also been used on signs in Lybia and other places, asking their government: Y U NO!?.
Current days[]
At this time, "Y U NO" could be considered as a dead meme. However, "Y U NO" memes are still being made in Imgflip and other meme generators.