Origins
Pepe the Frog was created by artist Matt Furie in 2005 as part of his comic series "Boy's Club". Initially, Pepe was a laid-back, relatable character, famous for his catchphrase, “Feels good, man.” His image became widely shared around 2008 on platforms like MySpace, 4chan, and Tumblr, where it started evolving into numerous emotional variants like Sad Pepe, Smug Pepe, and Angry Pepe, reflecting diverse internet expressions.
Rise of the Meme Culture
By 2015, Pepe had become a dominant figure in meme culture, with “rare Pepes” even being exchanged as digital collectibles, marking one of the early hints of internet-driven scarcity akin to today’s NFTs.
Controversy and Misuse
Pepe’s legacy took a dark turn in 2015-2016 when it was co-opted by extremist groups and the alt-right movement, turning it into a hate symbol. This misuse led to its inclusion in the Anti-Defamation League’s database of hate symbols. Matt Furie, distressed by this appropriation, sought to reclaim Pepe’s positive image and even took legal action.
Reappropriation and Symbol of Resistance
In 2019, Pepe found new meaning when it was adopted by protesters in Hong Kong as a symbol of resistance against authoritarianism. Unlike its misuse in the U.S., here Pepe represented hope, unity, and defiance, which Furie openly supported. This demonstrated how the same meme could carry entirely different meanings depending on cultural and political contexts.
Modern Impact
Today, Pepe continues to thrive across internet subcultures, including cryptocurrency spaces where it has inspired coins like PEPE. Its legacy remains complex—both as a meme of emotional expression and as a case study of how symbols can be appropriated and reclaimed.
Conclusion
Pepe the Frog represents the unpredictable power of the internet in shaping culture. From a humble comic character to a global symbol with shifting meanings, its journey reflects how memes can transcend their origins to influence art, politics, and technology.
