Popo

About

Popo is a cartoon turtle character that originated on 4chan’s /r9k/ board in late 2014. He was created as an alternative to Pepe the Frog, after posters lamented Pepe’s adoption by “normies.” Popo is usually depicted as a droopy-faced, sad green turtle, and was quickly embraced by /r9k/ users as their own mascot.

Origin

On November 8th, 2014, a /r9k/ thread proposed “a sad turtle named Popo” to replace Pepe. Users began sketching versions of Popo and sharing them within the thread. Early edits portrayed him in awkward, depressed, or self-deprecating scenarios, reflecting the board’s identity.

“A sad turtle named Popo” – Anonymous /r9k/ poster, November 2014

There may be some confusion about whether popo is the green poorly drawn turtle or the better drawn, more sophisticated pepesque turtle. There is also confusion about whether the turtles name is "geoff" or "popo"

Both areas of confusion are put to rest by Anonymous on Fri 21 Nov 2014, where he rectifies this situation perfectly by saying

the name, by default, was popo because the thread was about creating images of a turtle who was named popo from the start. some people used OPs original, some drew their improved versions of it, of which the one you refer to as "geoff" was one of them. it was all done with the understanding that they represented the same character – POPO.

Further proof of the final name being established as "Popo" can be found here :

There was a poll held in November 2014, and users unanimously decided to finalize the name of the turtle as popo.

Spread

Popo quickly gained traction within /r9k/. Posters began producing variations: “Party Hat Popo,” “Joker Popo,” “3D Relief Popo,” and “Triggered Popo.” These edits circulated in dedicated threads like “Superior Popos”. The meme also sparked playful arguments about his superiority over Pepe.

Examples of notable variations:

• teenage mutant ninja popos
• robber popo
• waifu popo

Decline

Despite enthusiasm in 2014–2016, Popo never reached the cultural ubiquity of Pepe. Later threads (“Who Remembers Popo?” in 2018) show posters nostalgically referencing him. Popo remains a niche /r9k/ relic, emblematic of the board’s desire for its own mascot after losing Pepe.

External Links

Original /r9k/ Origin Thread

Superior Popos Thread

Who Remembers Popo Thread