‘My New Character’ Meme Explained: Meet the Viral ‘Chill Guy’ Dog
3 min readA new meme has been sweeping across social media, introducing a character that embodies a carefree, easygoing attitude. The “My New Character” meme, which first gained popularity in 2023 on X (formerly Twitter), has become an instant hit. Featuring a human-like brown dog dressed in a turtleneck grey sweater, red shoes, and blue jeans, the meme has captured the attention of users with its relaxed and ‘chill’ demeanor.
This anthropomorphic dog, often referred to as the ‘chill guy’, has quickly become a symbol of taking life easy. Whether it’s the casual smirk on the character’s face or the nonchalant way he keeps his hands in his pockets, “My New Character” is all about keeping cool and staying stress-free.
The character has drawn comparisons to other famous animated figures, such as Arthur from the 90s TV series Arthur and Charlie from the show Smiling Friends, due to its simple yet relatable design and attitude.
my new character. his whole deal is he's a chill guy that lowkey doesn't give a fuck pic.twitter.com/RQ2Va8YPsI
— bab (@76LFCB7) September 11, 2024
How Did It Go Viral?
The origins of the “My New Character” meme trace back to a user named @phillipbankss on X. In his posts, he uses the character to encourage people to prioritize themselves and let go of anything that adds unnecessary stress to their lives. The laid-back persona of the ‘chill guy’, along with his casual outfit and signature smirk, quickly caught on with viewers.
Soon after its introduction, the meme began spreading across platforms, including TikTok, where users praised the character for its cool, composed nature. In fact, popular TikToker Noah Glenn Carter has speculated that we might even see people dressing up as this “chill guy” for Halloween, given the popularity of the meme and its instantly recognizable appearance.
I love my new character but my old character is lowk underrated. Like I get she’s not chill and lowkey gaf but don’t we all at times? pic.twitter.com/KuLXSWrRyP
— Boopy putthole (@Mollyonmoly) September 11, 2024
The “Old Character” Rival
As with many internet memes, fans took the concept a step further by introducing a contrasting figure: “My Old Character.” This character is seen as the complete opposite of the ‘chill guy’. Whereas the “New Character” radiates a calm, relaxed energy, the “Old Character” is portrayed as more serious and less carefree. Fans have started using both characters to humorously reflect the contrasting attitudes they experience in everyday life.
This is my new character he’s a pretty chill & nonchalant guy. pic.twitter.com/1yjoGrQ2R3
— ally.. (@klamydiacore) September 12, 2024
Reactions and Popularity
Social media has been buzzing with reactions to the “My New Character” meme. One user wrote, “My new character. His whole deal is he’s a chill guy that lowkey doesn’t give a f**k,” perfectly capturing the essence of the character. Another user chimed in, saying, “I love my new character, but my old character is lowkey underrated. Like, I get she’s not chill and lowkey gaf, but don’t we all at times?”
He’s my new character. His whole deal is he’s a chill guy they lowkey doesn’t give a f**k pic.twitter.com/xcapKLIbTC
— Kortez 🫀 (@Kore352) September 12, 2024
TikTok users have also picked up on the trend, with many posting their own humorous takes and creating viral videos centered around the ‘chill guy’. As one tweet summarized, “Big new TikTok trend AND it’s hilarious AND it’s a cartoon dog? My New Character going to chillions and lowkey doesn’t give a f**k.”
The “My New Character” meme has become a playful yet relatable way for people to express the need to remain calm and composed in a fast-paced world. With its growing popularity, it’s likely we’ll be seeing a lot more of this ‘chill guy’ across social media platforms in the coming months.