The Berserk Skeletons meme originates from the dark fantasy series Berserk, specifically highlighting the visceral and often terrifying skeletal figures seen in the 1997 anime and manga. While the source material is deeply tragic and gruesome, internet culture has repurposed these skeletons into symbols of being 'hard' or intensely focused. Often paired with heavy metal soundtracks or phonk music in video edits, the meme is typically used to ironically showcase resilience or a cool attitude in the face of mundane or mildly stressful situations. It has become a staple in 'core' aesthetics, serving as a visual shorthand for being unfazed, edgy, or simply embracing the high-octane energy of the skeleton aesthetic.