The Hilarious Truth Behind The 'They Were Both Bottoms' Meme: 5 Reasons It's An LGBTQ+ Internet Staple

The "They Were Both Bottoms" meme has cemented its place as a cornerstone of modern LGBTQ+ internet humor, perfectly capturing a specific, often-awkward dynamic within same-sex relationships. As of December 2025, this image macro continues to circulate wildly across platforms like Reddit, Twitter/X, and Tumblr, proving its evergreen relevance far beyond its niche origins in Japanese media. The meme’s enduring popularity lies in its ability to take a sexually charged scenario and pivot to a universally funny relationship conundrum, making it a favorite for "shipping" fictional characters across all fandoms.

This article dives deep into the phenomenon, tracing the meme’s surprising source, unpacking the cultural significance of the "bottom problem," and explaining why this simple, exploitable image has become a shorthand for discussions on sexual roles, relationship dynamics, and the concept of the "switch" in queer communities.

The Surprising Origin of the Viral Image: Mikawa Miso's Yuri One-Shot

The image at the heart of the "They Were Both Bottoms" meme is not a random piece of fan art, but a panel from a legitimate, published work. Understanding its source is key to appreciating its context and humor.

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The Manga and Its Creator

The original illustration comes from a yuri (girl's love) one-shot manga titled Neko to Neko no Owaranai Yoru, which translates to Cat and Cat Endless Night. This short work was created by the Japanese manga artist Mikawa Miso and was published around 2017. The panel in question depicts two women in their underwear, clearly in an intimate moment, with a sense of anticipation.

• Creator: Mikawa Miso
• Original Work: Neko to Neko no Owaranai Yoru (Cat and Cat Endless Night)
• Publication Year: Circa 2017
• Genre: Yuri (Girls' Love) Manga

The Birth of an Exploitable Image

The image gained traction when a caption was added, humorously declaring the predicament: "And they were both bottoms." This caption transforms the panel from a suggestive scene into a punchline. The humor is derived from the sexual roles (top, bottom, and switch) often discussed in LGBTQ+ relationships. A "bottom" is generally the receptive partner, and the joke highlights the comical impasse when two receptive partners try to initiate intimacy. The image's clean, expressive art style made it a perfect exploitable image template for meme creators.

The meme’s structure is simple yet effective, typically featuring the original image with the caption, or a redraw of two characters from an unrelated franchise in the same pose, accompanied by the iconic phrase. This adaptability ensures its longevity in various fandom communities.

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Why the 'Bottom Problem' Resonates So Deeply in LGBTQ+ Culture

The meme’s massive success isn't just about a funny caption; it taps into a genuine, relatable experience within queer dating and relationship dynamics. It has become a cultural touchstone for discussing identity and sexual compatibility.

1. The Relatability of Role Conflict

In many same-sex relationships, especially in the early stages of dating, establishing sexual roles (top, bottom, or versatile/switch) can be a source of awkward humor, or even genuine conflict. The meme is a lighthearted way to acknowledge this reality. It pokes fun at the scenario where two people are mutually attracted but face an impasse because neither is inclined to take the penetrative role (the "top"). This is often referred to simply as the "bottom problem."

2. The Rise of the 'Switch' Identity

The meme has inadvertently popularized the concept of the "switch" or "versatile" partner. The joke often leads to a discussion about who will "take one for the team" or whether one partner will "evolve into a switch like some kind of rare horny-Pokemon," as one Redditor humorously put it. This highlights a common solution in real-world relationships—the need for flexibility and communication to ensure both partners' needs are met, even if it means stepping outside one's preferred role.

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3. A Fandom Shipping Staple (The 'Ship' Dynamic)

One of the most frequent uses of the "They Were Both Bottoms" meme is for shipping—the act of supporting a romantic pairing between fictional characters. Fans apply the meme to pairings where both characters exhibit personality traits or canonical behaviors that are perceived as "bottom" energy. Examples are abundant in communities for anime like Danganronpa and Re:Zero, or even general lesbian communities like r/actuallesbians and r/yurimemes. It serves as a playful way to define the relationship dynamics of a favorite couple.

The Meme's Cultural Impact and Longevity

Unlike many internet trends that fade quickly, this meme has maintained a steady presence for years, making it a powerful example of how niche humor can transcend its original context and become a piece of shared cultural vocabulary.

The Power of Simplicity and Redraws

The meme's staying power is due to its simple, instantly recognizable format. It’s an image macro that requires minimal effort to customize. The vast number of redraws—where artists replace the original yuri characters with their own OCs (Original Characters), monster boys, or characters from different franchises—keeps the content fresh and relevant to new communities. This constant stream of new interpretations ensures the meme is always being seen by a new audience.

Entities and Topical Authority

The longevity of the meme contributes to a broader conversation about queer intimacy and the fluidity of roles. It’s a shorthand for discussing power dynamics, sexual identity, and the complexities of WLW (Women Loving Women) and MLM (Men Loving Men) relationships. The meme touches upon several key entities that give it topical authority in discussions about internet culture and sexuality:

• Sexual Roles: Top, Bottom, Versatile, Switch
• Media Genre: Yuri Manga, Doujinshi, Webcomics
• Internet Culture: Image Macro, Exploitable Image, Shipping, Fandom, Know Your Meme
• Relationship Concepts: Bottom Problem, Power Exchange, Kink Dynamics, Sexual Compatibility

In essence, the "They Were Both Bottoms" meme is more than just a funny picture; it’s a cultural artifact that distills a complex, nuanced aspect of queer life into a single, punchy phrase. It allows for a moment of shared laughter and recognition, turning a potential relationship difficulty into a source of community bonding.