About

Junko Posing or Junkoposing is a TikTok trend and dance inspired by Junko Enoshima, a character from the Japanese video game Danganronpa known for her dramatic and exaggerated poses. These poses, which emphasize her erratic personality and distinctive style, have been widely depicted in fan art, cosplay and anime-style illustrations since the game's release in 2010.

In the late 2010s and early 2020s, TikTok users began posting videos recreating the poses in short, looping movements featuring specific hand gestures, facial expressions and body movements. The trend experienced a decline after being labeled cringe by some, but resurfaced in 2025 and 2026, driven by both ironic reinterpretations and nostalgia for early TikTok culture.

Origin

Danganronpa, first released in 2010, is a Japanese video game series known for its distinctive visual aesthetic and unique gameplay. The series features stylized, 2.5D “motion comic” exploration and fast-paced, action-oriented class trials, giving its characters distinctive sprite movements. Junko Enoshima, the primary antagonist of the series, is especially notable for her dramatic, exaggerated poses within these sprite animations.

In-game, Junko frequently switches between multiple personas, imitating the expressions and mannerisms of other characters. Each persona is accompanied by distinct vocal tones or accents, ranging from high-pitched “cuteness” to monotone stoicism or haughty, aristocratic speech.^[1]

Gameplay footage uploaded to YouTube ^[2] on February 6th, 2015, by user randomryona7445 showcases the unique movement of the characters. The video has received over 1.2 million views in 11 years.

The TikTok trend known as “Junko Posing” specifically draws from a four-pose sequence of Junko’s sprite movements, often called “Junko poses.” These poses have been widely replicated by cosplayers and anime fans on TikTok, who recreate her gestures, facial expressions and body language in short, looping videos.

By the late 2010's and early 2020's, Junko Posing had become endemic on TikTok, with the trend widely replicated across anime, cosplay and gaming communities. The virality of the format helped shape the trend participation aspect of the platform, and became a primary cultural touchstone of the early app and outside perceptions of TikTok.

Though many early examples have been obscured, TikTok compilations posted to YouTube in 2019 through the early 2020s show the prevalence of the trend at this time.

On April 8th, 2019, YouTuber^[4] @aradiiiah uploaded a video depicting users participating in the Junko Pose trend.

Spread

The Junko Pose trend continued to spread online throughout the early 2020s, especially on TikTok.

A December 2nd, 2020, upload by YouTuber^[5] tiktoktrends7758 shows early examples of the "I'm Not Gonna Be Mercy" variation of the trend.

On April 15th, 2020, a Redditor asked on the /r/OutOfTheLoop^[6] subreddit about a tight arm-and-hand movement seen in TikTok videos. Commenters explained that it comes from a four-pose sequence of Junko Enoshima from Danganronpa, popularized by cosplayers and referred to the trend as “Junko posing.”

An earlier example posted to TikTok on August 1st, 2021, by TikTok^[7] user @moon.flower.cos mentions the popularity of the Junko pose trend in 2019. The video received 3.1 million views and 89,200 likes in about five years.

Variations

Junko Posing is an integral aspect of various early TikTok trends, serving as a template for emote-based content. The exaggerated, looping poses inspired countless recreations, mashups and edits, influencing other viral trends that rely on choreographed movements or expressive gestures. By providing a recognizable and easily replicable set of actions, Junko Posing is easily replicated, facilitating its spread on the platform.

Burger King Guy Junko Posing

Originally uploaded sometime in 2019, "Burger King Guy" refers to a viral video of a Burger King employee Junko Posing to "Join Us for a Bite" by JT Music, a FNAF fan song. A reupload, posted by TikTok^[8] user @jaykung1234876 on February 23rd, 2024, has received 5.1 million views and 403,600 likes as of March 2026.

The video spawned various parodies and recreations in the mid-2020s. One example, posted October 27th, 2023, by TikTok^[9] user @raviolzalez, received 10.3 million views and 1.5 million likes in about three years.

I'm Not Gonna Be Mercy

An offshoot of the I'm Already Tracer meme, "I'm Not Gonna Be Mercy" refers to a popular format for the Junko Posing trend, also utilizing the song "No Mercy" by The Living Tombstone.

An early example posted by TikTok^[10] user @mercy.cosplay on December 20th, 2020, provides a contemporary example. The video has received about 752,300 views and 165,400 likes in about six years.

2025-2026 Resurgence

After being largely dismissed as “cringe” in its initial circulation, Junko Posing experienced a resurgence on TikTok around 2025. The revival was driven by both nostalgic recreations from long-time fans and ironic reinterpretations.

On November 18th, 2025, TikTok^[11] user @yuriprincess44 posted a video joking that Junko Poses could be performed with "muscle memory." The video received about 1 million views and 132,300 likes in just over four months.

On February 22nd, 2026, TikTok^[12] user @fishyuna posted a video calling Junko Posing "a lost art form." The video received about 2 million views and 352,200 likes in just over one month.

Various Examples

Search Interest

External References