The Hands-Free Bubble Tea Challenge, also known as the Tapioca Challenge, originated in Japan around June 2019. It was inspired by an illustration from the 'Getsuyoubi no Tawawa' series by artist Kiseki Himura, which depicted a woman balancing a cup of bubble tea on her chest while using a smartphone. The image quickly sparked a real-life trend on platforms like Twitter and TikTok, where participants attempted to drink boba tea without using their hands. While it began as a feat of balance and physical coordination, it rapidly evolved into a popular art challenge for illustrators and a viral social media phenomenon that combined internet culture with the global obsession with bubble tea.