Internet culture has changed significantly over the past decade. In the 2000s, sites such as 2chan and Nico Nico Douga sat comfortably on the edges of the world wide web, offering a form of alternate reality from traditional media. The 2010s, however, saw social media platforms such as Twitter and YouTube attract a wider audience and, consequently, become a significant part of mainstream conversation.
Naturally, the most memorable online moments of the 2010s also tended to be a big deal in real life. As such, they typically offered a succinct snapshot of where Japanese culture — both online and offline — stood.
Twitter attracts a following