The Maria's Death meme originates from the heartbreaking backstory of Shadow the Hedgehog in the 2001 video game Sonic Adventure 2. In this scene, Maria Robotnik, the granddaughter of Gerald Robotnik, is fatally shot by G.U.N. soldiers while attempting to help Shadow escape the Space Colony ARK. As she pulls the lever to eject his escape pod, she asks him to give the people of Earth a chance to be happy. While originally a serious and tragic moment that defines Shadow's character, the internet has turned it into a versatile meme format. It is frequently used to mock overly dramatic situations, symbolize the loss of something beloved but minor, or contrast the innocence of Maria's wish with the chaotic reality of the Sonic fandom.