The Saiyan Secret: 5 Reasons Why The 'Kakarot I'm Gay' Meme Still Dominates Dragon Ball Fandom In 2025

The "Kakarot I'm Gay" meme has transcended a simple online joke to become a foundational piece of modern Dragon Ball Z fan culture. Originating in late 2023, this phrase—often attributed to Vegeta—is a hilarious, yet profound, commentary on the intense, rivalry-turned-partnership between the two most prominent Saiyans, Goku (Kakarot) and Vegeta. As of the current date, December 17, 2025, the meme continues to be a viral sensation, driving thousands of new fan creations, from animated redraws to cross-fandom parodies, solidifying its place as a recognizable and enduring piece of internet lore.

This article dives deep into the meme’s surprisingly recent history, its cultural context within the Dragon Ball fandom, and the reasons why a simple, non-canonical declaration of love has become one of the most popular and persistent jokes among fans worldwide. We’ll explore the exact phrase, its original post, and the entities that fuel its continued virality.

The Unexpected Origin of a Viral Sensation

The core phrase, famously rendered as "KAKAROT I'M GAY LET'S F***, YES VEGETA," did not emerge from a lost Dragon Ball Z episode or an obscure manga panel. Instead, it was born on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on October 17, 2023. The post, created by user @yekkhazz, instantly struck a chord with a massive segment of the fan base that had long mused over the intense, almost romantic tension between the two Saiyan rivals.

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The meme's structure is simple yet effective: a declaration of homosexual desire from Vegeta towards Goku (Kakarot), often followed by a simple, accepting response. This setup allows for infinite variation and reinterpretation. The original post was a distillation of decades of fan-created content, specifically the "slash" or "shipping" culture that pairs the two characters, known in the fandom as "Goku/Vegeta" or "Kakarot/Vegeta."

Key Entities and the Meme's Core Context

To understand why this meme exploded, one must understand the central figures and concepts it references:

• Kakarot (Goku): The protagonist, a pure-hearted, simple-minded Saiyan who is often oblivious to the intensity of Vegeta’s emotions. His name, Kakarot, is his birth name and is almost exclusively used by Vegeta, adding a layer of intimacy and rivalry to the dynamic.
• Vegeta: The Prince of All Saiyans, whose entire existence is defined by his rivalry with Goku. His constant need to surpass Kakarot, his begrudging respect, and his deeply suppressed emotions are the perfect ingredients for fan interpretation.
• Shipping/Slash Fiction: A long-standing fan practice of pairing two characters in a romantic or sexual relationship, regardless of their canonical status. The Goku/Vegeta pairing is one of the most popular in anime history, and the meme serves as a humorous, hyperbolic summary of this entire subculture.
• Ningen: A term used by Zamasu in Dragon Ball Super meaning "mortal" or "human." It is often used in a derogatory way in DBZ shitposts and memes, including those related to the Kakarot meme, further solidifying its place in the DBZ meme universe.

The meme's success lies in its ability to take a long-running, subtle subtext and turn it into an explicit, loud, and funny statement, validating the feelings of a large part of the fandom.

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5 Reasons The Meme Is Still King of Saiyan Shitposts in 2025

The longevity of the "Kakarot I'm Gay" meme is remarkable, especially in the fast-paced world of internet trends. By 2025, it has solidified its status as a classic. Here are the five primary reasons for its sustained viral power:

1. It Perfectly Parodies the Saiyan Rivalry's Intensity

The relationship between Goku and Vegeta is not a simple friendship; it’s an all-consuming rivalry that defines their respective character arcs. Vegeta’s obsession with Kakarot is so intense that it often borders on the romantic, even in a canonical sense. The meme humorously suggests that the root of Vegeta's rage, jealousy, and constant need to fight is actually unrequited or suppressed love. It’s a meta-joke that the fandom uses to explain the inexplicable emotional depth of their constant battles.

2. The Versatility for Redraws and Cross-Fandom Use

A key indicator of a meme's longevity is its adaptability. The "Kakarot I'm Gay" phrase is easily applied to any two characters with a similar intense, rivalrous dynamic. Fans have created countless redraws, replacing Goku and Vegeta with characters from other franchises, such as Naruto and Sasuke, or even non-anime duos. This cross-fandom adoption ensures the meme is seen by audiences far beyond the Dragon Ball community, constantly bringing in new life and new interpretations.

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3. The Simple, Impactful Language

The phrase is short, shocking, and instantly recognizable. "Kakarot I'm gay" is a powerful declaration that requires no further context for those in the know. In an era of short-form content, the meme’s punchiness—often delivered in an all-caps, aggressive tone to mimic Vegeta's iconic shouting—makes it perfect for quick posts, reaction images, and video captions.

4. Validation of the Long-Standing Slash Fandom

For decades, fans have created art, stories, and discussions around the romantic pairing of Goku and Vegeta. The meme acts as a collective, humorous nod to this subculture. It’s a way for fans to publicly acknowledge and celebrate their favorite non-canonical ship in a way that is both funny and widely accepted. It’s a form of in-group communication that fosters a sense of community among "shippers" and meme enthusiasts alike.

5. The Eternal Appeal of Character Subversion

Subverting the tough-guy persona of a character like Vegeta is inherently funny. Vegeta is the epitome of Saiyan pride and toxic masculinity, making a sudden, explicit declaration of love a maximalist comedic choice. This juxtaposition—the Prince of All Saiyans making a vulnerable, yet aggressive, statement about his sexuality—is the core of the humor and the reason it remains a top-tier shitpost.

The Meme's Place in Dragon Ball Lore and Fandom

While the meme is not canon, its impact on the fandom is undeniable. It has become a shorthand for discussing the complex, emotionally charged relationship between Goku and Vegeta, often replacing more serious, drawn-out discussions about their rivalry. The phrase has been integrated into the lexicon of DBZ fans, appearing in countless Reddit threads, YouTube comment sections, and TikToks.

The continued creation of content, including animated shorts and template usage on sites like Imgflip, demonstrates that the meme is not fading. It serves as a cultural artifact—a perfect example of how an intense, decades-long rivalry in media can be humorously reinterpreted through a modern, queer-friendly lens. The "Kakarot I'm Gay" meme is more than just a joke; it’s a testament to the enduring power of fan creativity and the hilarious possibilities that lie just beneath the surface of even the most battle-hardened Saiyan warriors.

As long as Goku and Vegeta continue their epic rivalry in new anime, manga, and video games, the "KAKAROT I'M GAY" meme will remain a vital, hilarious, and much-loved part of the Dragon Ball universe.