TikTok has become a hub for viral trends and memes, and one of the latest sensations is the Frog Mascot Salute. These videos featuring people saluting frog mascots have taken over the platform, captivating millions of viewers with their playful and humorous interactions. In this article, we'll look into the origins of the Frog Mascot Salute meme, its connection to the Japanese manga series Keroro (Sgt. Frog), and its growing popularity across different countries.
Where did the Frog Mascot Come From?
The journey of the Frog Mascot began on the streets of China, where street vendors were selling baby frog toys and inflatable frogs. These vendors would dress up as a frog mascot to attract attention and potential customers. However, it wasn't until a video of a Shanghai city official asking a vendor to remove the frog costume went viral on Sina Weibo, a Chinese microblogging platform similar to Twitter, that the Frog Mascot gained widespread attention.
The video highlighted a street vendor who had violated city management regulations by selling toys without proper authorization. News reports also revealed stories of other individuals wearing the frog costume for various purposes. For instance, a resident from East China's Anhui Province wore the costume while selling baby frog toys at night and was later found crying on the street. Another incident involved a person wearing the frog costume while riding an electric bicycle and receiving a fine for not wearing a helmet.
Also, See:
The Frog Mascot Salute Meme on TikTok/Douyin
With the rise of TikTok and its Chinese counterpart Douyin, the Frog Mascot Salute quickly transitioned from street vendors to the digital realm. People began capturing their interactions with the frog mascots and sharing them on these platforms. One popular video, posted by @ariaa416, also known as “Frog anecdotes,” amassed over 120 million views.
In this viral video, two frog mascots are walking together when a man salutes one of them. To everyone's surprise, the mascot salutes back, accidentally kicking the baby frog toys held by the other mascot in the process. This video perfectly captures the playful and unexpected nature of the Frog Mascot Salute meme.
The Connection to Keroro (Sgt. Frog)
The Frog Mascot Salute finds its inspiration from the Japanese manga series called Keroro (Sgt. Frog), created by Mine Yoshizaki. Keroro, the main character of the series, is known for his distinctive salute. Before saluting, Keroro stomps his foot on the ground as a precursor to his gesture.
On TikTok, frog mascots often mimic this unique salute by stomping their foot on the ground before raising their hand in a salute. This action can be traced back to the opening theme song of Keroro, where Keroro and five other frogs stomp their foot before performing the salute. The Keroro opening theme song on YouTube has garnered over 1.7 million views and numerous comments, primarily in Japanese.
The Frog Mascot Salute Trend
While the meme originated in China, it has quickly gained traction in other countries as well. Singapore, for example, saw the Mixue Ice Cream & Tea mascot join forces with the frog mascot for a lively dance-off set to the song “The Reason” by Hoobastank. This cross-cultural adaptation of the Frog Mascot Salute demonstrates the power of viral trends to transcend borders and captivate audiences worldwide.
Conclusion
The Frog Mascot Salute has become a delightful and entertaining meme that brings joy to TikTok users across the globe.
Starting from the streets of China, the frog mascot's viral journey has taken it to new heights on social media platforms, where people engage in playful interactions with these amusing characters.
With its roots in the Keroro (Sgt. Frog) manga series and its growing international popularity, the Frog Mascot Salute continues to evolve and spread its cheerful vibes in the digital realm.
Similar posts:
- What is the Frog Costume on TikTok?
- Run Boy Run TikTok Tutorial
- Teenage Dirtbag TikTok
- Kokology Questions and Answers on TikTok
- Top 20 Trending TikTok Songs of 2022