The Goku Staring meme features an intense, close-up shot of the legendary Saiyan protagonist from the Dragon Ball franchise. While various shots of Goku glaring have circulated for years, the modern iteration gained massive popularity on platforms like TikTok and X (formerly Twitter). It is often paired with the 'Prowler' sound effect from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse or heavy phonk music to signify a sudden, intimidating shift in energy. The meme typically represents a situation where someone realizes they are in serious trouble or about to face a formidable opponent, capturing the legendary intensity Goku displays during his most iconic battles.