The Detective Pikachu meme rose to prominence alongside the marketing and release of the 2019 live-action film starring Ryan Reynolds. While the original 'Surprised Pikachu' from the anime remains a staple, the 3D-rendered Detective Pikachu provided a more expressive, detailed canvas for humor involving investigation, suspicion, and sudden epiphany. It is frequently used to mock someone's poor detective skills or to highlight a realization that was incredibly obvious from the start. The character's unique blend of cuteness and grizzled investigator energy makes it a versatile template for both niche gaming jokes and broad relatability across social media platforms like Twitter and Reddit.