What Is 'Daten Route'? The Viral 'Needy Streamer Overload' Meme Explained

The video game Needy Streamer Overload, in which you help an anime girl become a popular streamer, is going mainstream thanks to the Daten Route meme. The meme is inspiring both fan art and animation memes across TikTok, YouTube and X. But where exactly does the meme come from? Here's what we know.

What Is The 'Daten Route' Meme?

At the beginning of July 2024, animator Channel posted an animation based on the game Needy Streamer Overload. The animation, which is set to the song "Angel Yamu" by Aiobahn, features the game's protagonist KAngel streaming to her followers. The video gained millions of views across numerous social media platforms in under a month.

In the animation, KAngel dances to the song, intercut with scenes of her alter ego, Ame-chan, buying new outfits. As the video goes on, KAngel routinely changes outfits, with each becoming more revealing than the last. As this happens, her follower account skyrockets while her "mental darkness" and "stress" levels rise.

How Is 'Daten Route' Used In Memes?

Since going viral, the animation has inspired numerous re-animations and pieces of fan art. The re-animations take the general format of the animation and replace KAngel with a new character. These videos have proven especially popular on sites like TikTok and YouTube.

On X, the animation has inspired a wave of fan art. The most popular fan art examples feature KAngel in the various outfits shown in the video, including a cat-inspired outfit and a bathing suit. Some of these artworks are gaining tens of thousands of likes, showcasing just how popular this character and the animation are online.

For the full history of Daten Route, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.