Scrolling through your timeline, you suddenly come across unfamiliar words or mysterious images. Once you understand their meaning, they instantly become entertaining—that’s what internet memes are all about. In 2026, the turnover of meme generations is especially rapid.
This article sequentially introduces what kinds of memes are trending lately, why they spread, and how to create your own GIFs and videos.
Part 1. Top 10 Trending Internet Memes
Popular memes share either a “sound you can’t get out of your head” or a “template that fits any situation.” Below, we introduce 10 types that saw massive posts in the first half of 2026.
1. “Huh Cat Meme”
Short MAD-style videos combining cat photos and clips are now a staple way to narrate daily life. The number of video posts continues to rise in 2026. Its low barrier to creation and perfect fit with TikTok and YouTube Shorts explain its spread.
For more natural integration of cat footage into videos, Edimakor’s background removal feature is handy. With one click, you can cut out subjects, remove unwanted backgrounds, and easily composite with other footage or images, enabling efficient creation of original cat MAD videos.
2. “Monkey Puppet Meme”
This classic awkward reaction meme features a monkey puppet from an old Japanese children’s show giving a strong side-eye glance. It exploded again in 2026 as a go-to reaction for calling out cringe moments, shady behavior, or awkward situations. The puppet’s slow head turn and judgmental look is widely used in TikTok edits, comment replies, and reaction videos across platforms.
3. “Brainrot-type Memes”
Originating overseas from “brain rot,” these memes are nonsensical surreal video contents, with examples like Skibidi Toilet and Italian Brainrot. The paradoxical fun of “meaninglessness itself as content” appeals to younger generations and has spread globally via TikTok.
4. “Memes Sounds”
Meme sounds have become essential for creators in 2026, with soundboards making it easy to drop viral audio clips into videos, streams, and Discord servers at exactly the right moment.
5. “Lupa Zalupa”
This chaotic AI-generated brainrot character exploded on TikTok in mid-2026. Known for her glossy lips, nonsensical repetitive audio (“Lupa Zalupa, Lumu…”), and wild dance edits set to various trending sounds, she quickly became a staple in brainrot meme compilations. Clips are used for absurd humor, random reactions, or pure chaotic vibes.
6. “Speaki / Spiki Meme”
Originating from the Korean game “Trickcal: Chibi Go”, this meme uses the voice of the character “Speaki” (often spelled as Speaki, Spiki, or similar).
Known for its addictive “electronic drug” quality, it swept TikTok and YouTube, leading to the official 2026 Trickcal Awards event (popularly called SPIKI AWARDS among fans) in January 2026. It’s used as background music for MAD videos or as a metaphor for someone overly absorbed in something.
7. “Eho Eho Meme”
A meme combining images of baby barn owls with the structure “I have to tell you something Eho Eho.” Its simplicity and universal applicability made it widely popular—even corporate official accounts use it. It’s often the first example when people ask, “What’s a recent meme?”
8. “Korasho Mascot Meme”
The mascot “Korasho” from Shinken Seminar experienced a meme resurgence among Gen Z in 2026. With abundant material and relatable themes, it coincides with a revival of Heisei-era characters. Images of Korasho with hands behind his back are used broadly for situations where someone is skillfully handling a tough task, like Monday mornings or deadlines.
9. “Gugugaga Penguin”
A meme video originating in China featuring a penguin chibi version of the Arknights character “Endmin”, combined with the Western baby-like gibberish “gugugaga…” The character’s earnest but clumsy nature sparked affection, with videos showing it nibbling on chocolate chip cookies or playing innocently becoming popular.
In these meme videos, derivative works using original images are also in demand. Using Edimakor’s AI image generation function, you can create cute character-style illustrations and background materials just by entering prompts, which helps in making thumbnails and inserted materials for videos.
10. “We are the rumored Uma Musume”
Uma Musume Pretty Derby is a Japanese mobile game featuring horse girl characters. A versatile template meme using characters from “Uma Musume Pretty Derby” with the phrase “We are the something everyone's been talking about”. Since the official high-quality audio is available, it spawns many spin-offs, especially videos of groups dancing posted mainly on TikTok.
If you want to easily create dance meme videos, Edimakor’s AI Dance feature is very useful. Just upload images of people or characters to generate dance animations, enabling efficient production of original skit videos or short social media clips.
Part 2. Differences Between Old and Current Internet Memes
In the past, memes like "Distracted Boyfriend," "This is Fine," or classic Rage Comics could stay relevant for months or even years. Today, a meme can go from viral sensation to "dead" in just a few days. The speed of template creation has skyrocketed — new formats often emerge within hours of the original post.
The widespread availability of AI tools has eliminated the technical barrier to entry, allowing anyone to become a creator and driving the explosive mass production of memes.
| Old Memes (pre-2023 / ~2010s era) | Current Memes (2025–2026) | |
|---|---|---|
| Shelf life | Several months to several years | A few days to a couple of weeks (sometimes hours) |
| Main platforms | 4chan, Reddit, early YouTube, Tumblr, and imgur | TikTok, X (Twitter), Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts |
| Creators | Dedicated meme pages, collagers, and niche communities | Anyone with a phone — powered by AI tools and easy editing apps |
Part 3. Where Are Recent Memes Trending?
The origin and spread of the latest memes clearly differ depending on the platform.
- TikTok : Memes combining audio and movement spread fastest. Even accounts with few followers can go viral by using trending sounds.
- X (formerly Twitter) : The main battlefield for text- and template-based memes. Spread is quick but shelf life is short.
- Instagram : Many visual memes and participatory memes in reel format.
- YouTube : MAD videos and explanatory content that further process and digest memes tend to perform well.
Part 4. How to Create Original Meme GIFs with Edimakor
Introducing how to make meme GIFs using HitPaw Edimakor, a video editing software featuring an intuitive UI and AI functions, supporting GIF export.
Step 1: Import materials
After launching, create a “New Project” and drag and drop the videos and images you want to use onto the timeline.
Step 2: Add Funny Text
From the top “Text” tab > “Add Text,” select your preferred font style, place it on the screen, and enter your caption. Choosing a bold gothic-style font gives a more meme-like finish.
Step 3: Add Effects
For example, overlay a radial focus effect video onto an image. On the right side under the “View” tab > “Effects,” select “White Ray,” then click the “Add” button at the bottom right.
Step 4: Export as GIF
Click “Export” at the top right, choose “GIF,” and then click “Export”. You can set resolution and frame rate in the options.
Step 5: Share on social media
Post the exported GIF on platforms like X, Instagram, or Facebook. GIFs loop automatically, making them highly shareable as memes.
Part 5. FAQs
Here are common questions and answers about recent memes.
A1: “Lupa Zalupa”, “Huh Cat Meme”, and “Brainrot-type Memes” are the leading memes in the first half of 2026. The pattern of going viral on TikTok and becoming text templates on X is most common.
A2: The connection is very strong. AI voice memes and AI image-generated content are major trends in 2026, supporting individual creators in mass-producing memes.
A3: Videos incorporating trending memes are more likely to be picked up by algorithms and resonate with specific communities through “inside joke” design. Tools like Edimakor help you quickly produce content while the trend is hot.
Conclusion
In 2026, meme generations are turning over faster, and meme shelf life is shorter. The speed at which you transform trends into content now determines your presence on social media.
HitPaw Edimakor Uses AI for material creation, text addition, and GIF export all in one, making it ideal for those looking to quickly jump on the recent meme boom. Try creating your own original GIFs that reinterpret popular memes in your style.
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