On January 19th, a Japanese linguistics-focused YouTuber posted about a meme that’s popular in the English-speaking world. The meme, which features the former Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, has sparked varied reactions on social media.
The meme in question shows Shinzo Abe fading into the sky with the phrase “Have sex” at the top and “See you Space Cowboy…” at the bottom. The latter phrase comes from the internationally popular Japanese anime Cowboy Bebop, which has a score of 8.75 out of 10 on MyAnimeList and a popularity ranking of 43.
However, Cowboy Bebop is better known overseas than in Japan, causing some Japanese users to find the “See you Space Cowboy…” reference confusing. One tweet humorously notes, “The ‘See you, space cowboy’ in the bottom right is also nonsensically funny, lol”. In response, others explained its significance, citing its use as an end card in Cowboy Bebop and its nostalgic value.
Reply: Actually, it does have meaning. It was a phrase used in Cowboy Bebop, as an end card, and evokes fond memories of the dead.
The choice to link Cowboy Bebop to the meme has led to questions about its relevance.
This led to Japanese speakers sharing more Abe-themed memes.
The memes reference initiatives undertaken by Shinzo Abe during his two terms as Japan’s Prime Minister, aimed at addressing the country’s declining birthrate.
While most of the responses to these memes are either amusement or confusion, some are critical. The reply below to the original tweet suggests that Japan might benefit from maintaining its unique cultural identity, especially given its success in fields like manga and anime.
Response Tweet: Actually, just between us, memes from English-speaking countries have penetrated more in China than in Japan. But Japan should stick to its own unique path. After all, by sticking to its own path with manga and anime, it has achieved outstanding results.
