The 'Chinese Cartoons' meme is a popular slang term and intentional misnomer used to describe Japanese anime. The term originated on imageboards like 4chan as a form of 'bait' designed to provoke a reaction from dedicated anime fans who are sensitive about the cultural distinction between Japanese and Chinese animation. While it started as a trolling tactic, it has since been adopted ironically by the anime community itself, with fans often referring to their favorite series as 'Chinese cartoons' to poke fun at the stereotype. The meme typically appears in text-based arguments or reaction images where a character is visibly frustrated by someone mislabeling their hobby, serving as a humorous nod to the mainstream's historical misunderstanding of otaku culture.