fsjal (2009)

About

FSJAL is a simple exploitable cartoon character, arms bent in anticipation, eyes pointing up in eagerness. The character in this prolific meme originates from a comic entitled SMASH BROTERS or ‘BROTERSTORY’ posted to DeviantArt March 27, 2008 by the user burgertime.

The comic was reposted to 4Chan’s /v/ Video Games board (see Cell 24 below) over a year later.

The image would later to be posted again in a simple 4chan image contest, saying “post [id] ending in 69 names this meme.” The post ending in 69 simply stated “fsjal”. A meme was born. Due to it’s highly editable and simplistic design, fsjal quickly grew.

The image of “Toon Link” had already been a popular avatar. And then on July 25th, 2009, the fateful naming contest occurred:

According to a DeviantArt journal post from August 10, 2009, the creator of what would become fsjal is well aware that his comic has become a meme and appears upset about its extreme popularity solely because a majority of the people who use it do not know of its origins and the fact that it has been branded as a “4chan” comic.

He refers to “fsjal” simply as “excited toon link”

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