The 'Bring Back National Dex' movement, often identified by the hashtag #Dexit, emerged in 2019 as a massive fan-led protest against the decision by Game Freak to exclude a significant portion of the historical Pokémon roster from the Sword and Shield games. This marked the first time in the main series history that players could not transfer all of their previous companions into a new title. The meme quickly evolved from a serious demand into a versatile template used to mock corporate decisions, highlight the absurdity of missing fan-favorites, or simply express the 'gotta catch 'em all' sentiment. It remains a staple of gaming culture, representing the tension between long-term fans and the evolution of massive franchises.