The 'One-Man Hide and Seek' meme, also known as 'Hitori Kakurenbo,' originates from a Japanese urban legend describing a ritual to summon a spirit into a doll for a game of hide and seek. Initially popularized on 2channel and later across global horror forums and YouTube, the ritual became a viral challenge during the creepypasta era. In meme culture, the template is often used to depict situations of extreme social isolation, self-sabotage, or the paranoia of being alone in the dark. It blends genuine horror aesthetics with internet irony, serving as a versatile tool for both scary stories and self-deprecating humor about playing games by oneself.