The Karen (Pokemon) meme originates from the Johto region Elite Four member Karen in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal. After being defeated, she delivers a philosophical monologue stating that 'Strong Pokémon. Weak Pokémon. That is only the selfish perception of people. Truly skilled trainers should try to win with their favorites.' This quote resonated deeply with the fanbase, becoming a manifesto for players who prefer using their favorite creatures over 'top-tier' meta picks. Over the years, the template has evolved beyond Pokémon, being applied to various competitive gaming communities and life philosophies to advocate for passion and personal preference over cold optimization.