The 'I Studied the Blade' meme originated from a viral Facebook post in 2016 featuring a user posing with a katana and a lengthy, self-serious caption about his martial dedication while others lived 'normal' lives. The text became a legendary copypasta, satirizing the 'neckbeard' or 'mall ninja' subculture that prioritizes perceived warrior disciplines over traditional social milestones. It is frequently used to mock individuals who take niche or solitary hobbies too seriously, or as a self-deprecating joke among gamers and programmers. The meme perfectly captures the irony of claiming superior discipline while holding a decorative sword in a suburban bedroom.