The Last of Us Part II memes primarily stem from the intense and often polarizing emotional moments within Naughty Dog's 2020 sequel. The most famous template features the character Abby choking Ellie during a pivotal fight scene, which first gained notoriety after being leaked online months before the game's official release. It quickly evolved into a popular 'object labeling' format where Abby represents an overwhelming force—such as debt, stress, or a difficult task—while Ellie represents the individual trying to survive the situation. Despite the game's grim and serious tone, the meme community has embraced these frames to illustrate high-stakes conflicts and relatable daily struggles in a humorous way.