The 'Spongebob Badasspants' meme typically features fan-rendered or AI-generated artwork of Spongebob Squarepants sporting a leather jacket, sunglasses, and an uncharacteristically gritty expression. Often associated with 'Gangster Spongebob' or 'Thug Spongebob' aesthetics from the early 2000s internet, this version of the character subverts his normally cheerful and innocent personality. Users leverage this template to ironically portray themselves as tough or intimidating in situations that are actually mundane or trivial. It has seen a resurgence in the 2020s through 'ironic sigmaposting' and 'hood irony' circles, where the contrast between the cartoon sponge and the hard-edged aesthetic creates the primary comedic effect.