The NPC meme, also known as the NPC Wojak, emerged in 2018 on platforms like 4chan and Reddit. It features a simplified, grey version of the Wojak character with a blank, expressionless face, symbolizing a 'Non-Player Character' who lacks internal monologue or critical thinking. Originally used to critique perceived groupthink in political and social discourse, the meme has evolved into a broader commentary on repetitive behavior and robotic reactions across the internet. It remains a staple of modern internet culture for highlighting unoriginal or scripted opinions.