The 'Extra Credits' meme stems from the popular educational YouTube channel of the same name, which debuted in 2008. Characterized by its unique, simplistic art style and high-pitched narrated deep dives into game design, history, and mythology, the show became a staple of internet culture. The meme typically uses screengrabs of the animated avatars—specifically the 'James' character—to explain complex topics in a simplified, often humorous manner. It is widely used to satirize 'intellectual' explanations or to mock specific trends in the gaming industry, capturing the channel's signature tone of enthusiastic analysis.