The internet loves a good meme, but every once in a while, a trend comes along that feels a little different—simple, nostalgic, and effortlessly fun. That is exactly what happened with the viral “My New Character” meme. What began as a single piece of artwork posted on X in 2023 has grown into a playful, wholesome trend that continues spreading across TikTok, X, Instagram, and even YouTube Shorts well into 2025. The meme centers around a goofy, chill-looking character with the head of a dog and the body of a cartoon human, described as someone who is relaxed, unbothered, and full of carefree energy. This unusual design quickly struck a chord with people online, sparking creative edits, cosplay, fan expansions, and even thoughtful interpretations about why such a simple character can feel so comforting and entertaining.
As TikTok continues to influence meme culture, the “My New Character” and its popular version known as the “Chill Guy” have taken on new life in the digital world. Creators are using him to share advice, recreate outfits, and express calm or carefree moods in a very humorous way. Whether you have seen him chilling in a field, giving life advice, or appearing in spontaneous comedic edits, this meme reflects the playful nature of online culture. In this article, you’ll learn where the meme came from, why it went viral, how the character evolved, why TikTok users are cosplaying him, and why the creator has issued copyright warnings. This complete guide will help you understand everything behind the rise of “My New Character” and why people still love him in 2025.
Quick Bio Information
Chill Guy Origin: First appeared on X in 2023.
Character Creator: Artist known as PhillipBankss.
Art Style Inspiration: Resembles Arthur and Smiling Friends.
Personality Traits: Calm, unbothered, carefree energy.
First Viral Boost: Original meme went viral in late 2023.
TikTok Revival: Trend surged again in 2024.
Popular Platforms: TikTok, X, Instagram, YouTube Shorts.
Fan Expansion: Introduced a rival character called My Old Character.
Cosplay Trend: TikTok users recreate Chill Guy outfits.
Creator Warning: Issued copyright notices in 2024–2025.
Cultural Appeal: Mix of humor, nostalgia, and positivity.
Where The ‘My New Character’ Meme Started
The story of “My New Character” begins on X in October 2023, when artist PhillipBankss shared an illustration he referred to as his new character. The artwork instantly caught attention because of its odd yet charming appearance, featuring a human body paired with a cartoon dog head in a style reminiscent of childhood animation. The artist described him as a chill guy who lowkey doesn’t care about anything stressful, instantly creating a personality that many found relatable. The artwork’s nostalgia-driven design reminded many fans of Arthur, the beloved 1990s cartoon, and characters from Adult Swim’s Smiling Friends. That mix of warmth and irreverence gave the character a unique appeal that fit perfectly with modern meme culture.
At first, the meme’s spread was steady, with people quoting it, redrawing it, and adding captions about being unbothered or calm. But as visuals became increasingly important in internet humor, especially on platforms like TikTok, the meme began gaining stronger traction. People enjoyed the simplicity of the design and the clear personality behind the character. The meme did not rely on complicated setups or insider jokes; instead, it offered a vibe, a feeling, and an energy that anyone could recognize. That approachability made it easy for the meme to expand beyond X and reach much broader audiences.
Why TikTok Revived The Meme In 2024
Although the meme began on X, it was TikTok that truly turned it into a cultural moment. TikTok has a way of breathing new life into forgotten or niche meme formats by giving creators tools to animate, reinterpret, and personalize them. When users began pairing the “My New Character” design with music, scenery, and comedic skits, the meme suddenly became more dynamic. It was no longer just a funny drawing—it became a character people could embody.
Throughout mid and late 2024, creators used TikTok to express moods through the Chill Guy, often showing him in peaceful outdoor scenes or recreating his outfits in real life. The platform’s algorithm also played a major role, pushing these videos onto millions of For You Pages. TikTok thrives on trends that are simple, recognizable, and easy to remix, and “My New Character” checked all those boxes. By the time 2025 arrived, the meme had already become a staple in the TikTok meme cycle, especially among users who enjoy calm humor, nostalgia, or aesthetic-style content.
Understanding The Chill Guy And Why He Is So Fun
At the heart of the meme is the Chill Guy, the laid-back version of “My New Character” that everyone fell in love with. He is portrayed as carefree, relaxed, detached from drama, and always radiating good vibes. That personality resonates deeply with today’s audiences, many of whom use humor as a way to cope with stress, overstimulation, and an increasingly chaotic online environment. The Chill Guy symbolizes a mood that people wish they could access more often—calmness in a loud world.
TikTok creators leaned into this vibe by giving the Chill Guy gentle life advice, wholesome reminders, or peaceful scenes. Some of the most popular videos show him telling viewers to follow what lights them up or to enjoy the little moments. Even though the meme is humorous, many people found unexpected comfort in the character’s tone. The humor is soft, relaxed, and relatable, giving it a different energy compared to louder or more chaotic meme formats. That emotional simplicity is one of the biggest reasons the meme continues trending.
The ‘My Old Character’ Spin-Off
As the meme gained traction, fans did what online communities often do—they expanded the universe. This gave rise to “My Old Character,” designed as the opposite of the Chill Guy. This character is serious, strict, unchill, and far less fun. He became a comedic opposite that creators used to show contrast between carefree and overly stressed personalities. These two characters, while simple in design, created a small but enjoyable narrative that allowed creators to build jokes around energy, mood, and personality differences.
The spin-off helped fuel the meme’s longevity because it introduced variety. Instead of a single expression or theme, creators now had multiple characters to work with. This expansion is similar to how other viral characters evolve into meme universes, giving fans more room to play, remix, and reinterpret the trend. It reflects how internet communities can take a single drawing and turn it into something bigger.
Viral TikTok Examples That Boosted The Meme
Some TikTok creators played a major role in boosting the “My New Character” trend. One of the most well-known examples is a video by user zoxwoxington, who placed the Chill Guy in a scenic field with sunlight streaming down. In that video, the character delivers simple but meaningful advice about chasing what lights you up. The combination of peaceful visuals, soft music, and the Chill Guy’s energy made the video go viral instantly.
Another popular creator, judddddddde, took the meme a step further by dressing like the character. Wearing an outfit inspired by the Chill Guy, the creator embraced the character’s carefree attitude and humor. This cosplay-style approach connected even more with viewers who loved seeing the character “come to life.” These TikTok moments helped the meme spread rapidly and encouraged others to try their own interpretations.
Why TikTok Users Are Cosplaying The Chill Guy
A big reason the Chill Guy became so popular on TikTok is that he is incredibly easy to cosplay. His outfit is simple, comfortable, and easy to recreate with basic clothing. TikTok users enjoy trends that allow them to participate without spending too much time or money, and this meme fit the bill perfectly. Creators embraced the look and used it to embody the Chill Guy’s unbothered energy.
Some creators, like Noah Glenn Carter, even predicted that many people might dress as the character for Halloween, especially because the costume is casual and instantly recognizable. The idea of stepping into the life of someone so relaxed and carefree makes the cosplay feel fun and meaningful. Cosplaying as the Chill Guy allows people to physically express a mindset that many wish they had more often.
The Art Style And Nostalgia Behind The Meme
Part of what makes the “My New Character” meme so visually appealing is its nostalgic cartoon style. The character’s look reminds many people of the Arthur series from the 1990s, a time when cartoons were wholesome, soft, and easygoing. Others compare it to modern adult cartoons like Smiling Friends, which have a quirky, bright, and slightly chaotic visual identity. This mix of nostalgia and modern humor helps the character appeal to a wide audience.
The simplicity of the art also plays a key role. In a world flooded with polished, high-definition content, something hand-drawn and casual feels refreshing. Viewers enjoy memes that look like they could have come from a sketchbook rather than a production studio. This raw, personal style adds to the charm of the “My New Character” trend.
The Meme’s Deeper Meaning And Emotional Appeal
While the meme is humorous, it also carries a deeper message about mood, identity, and emotional relief. Many people are drawn to internet humor that feels calming or relatable, especially during periods of global uncertainty or online negativity. The Chill Guy embodies a mindset that people crave: a sense of peace, simplicity, and acceptance.
The meme’s popularity demonstrates how humor can serve as a form of digital escapism. People use the character as a way to express how they wish they felt, or to gently poke fun at how overwhelmed they might be. This emotional connection helps explain why the meme has lasted longer than others and why it continues gaining new audiences.
Copyright, Credit, And The Creator’s Warning
As the meme gained widespread visibility, brands and influencers began using the Chill Guy in promotional content. This raised concerns for the original creator, who issued a message reminding people that the character is copyrighted. He also expressed his intention to file takedowns for anyone using the artwork for profit without permission. His request was simple: credit the artist when using the character and avoid monetizing it without authorization.
These warnings have sparked conversations about ownership in meme culture. Because memes spread quickly and widely, creators sometimes lose control over their work. The creator’s response brought attention to the importance of respecting original art, even in online spaces where sharing is common.
How Brands And Communities Are Using The Meme
Throughout 2024 and into 2025, many brands, creators, and online communities began incorporating the “My New Character” meme into their posts. The character’s simplicity makes him ideal for marketing memes, reaction graphics, and short animated edits. His relaxed personality fits well with ads or posts aimed at younger audiences who value authenticity and humor over traditional advertising styles. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and Discord have also adopted the character as a kind of digital mascot representing calmness or low-stress moods.
The Future Of The ‘My New Character’ Trend
Even though internet trends often fade quickly, the “My New Character” meme shows signs of lasting power. As long as creators continue giving the character new scenarios, advice, and humor, the meme will remain fresh. Its flexibility, nostalgic style, and emotional appeal make it easy to adapt as internet culture evolves. The trend may continue through more cosplay, animation, fan redesigns, or even new spin-off characters. With its simple charm and relatable personality, the Chill Guy will likely remain a recognizable figure in online culture for years to come.
Conclusion
The “My New Character” meme is a perfect example of how simple artwork can evolve into a global trend filled with creativity, emotional connection, and relatable humor. From its roots on X to its massive presence on TikTok, the Chill Guy shows how internet culture can elevate a single drawing into something much more meaningful. The character’s relaxed personality, nostalgic style, and endless remix potential make him one of the most enjoyable memes of recent years. As people continue interpreting and reimagining him, it’s clear that the Chill Guy’s charm is far from fading. He embodies a feeling we all understand—wanting to stay calm, grounded, and unfazed in a noisy world—and that is why this meme remains so fun and beloved.
FAQs About My New Character
What Is The My New Character Meme?
It is a viral cartoon-style meme featuring a relaxed character created by artist PhillipBankss on X. The character became widely known as the Chill Guy because of his carefree attitude and humorous personality.
Who Created The Chill Guy Character?
The character was created by an artist known online as PhillipBankss, who posted the original artwork on X in October 2023.
Why Did The Meme Become So Popular On TikTok?
TikTok revived the meme by allowing users to animate, cosplay, and interpret the character in creative ways. The platform’s algorithm and visual-driven humor made it easy for the meme to spread quickly.
What Does The Chill Guy Represent?
He represents calmness, low-stress energy, and a carefree attitude. Many people interpret him as a symbol of emotional simplicity in a chaotic online world.
What Is My Old Character?
My Old Character is a fan-created spin-off representing the opposite of the Chill Guy. He is serious, stressed, and less cool, giving creators more personality contrast for their content.
Is The Meme Copyrighted?
Yes, the creator has confirmed that the character is copyrighted and has requested proper credit. He has also warned against unauthorized commercial use.
Will The My New Character Meme Stay Relevant?
Because of its nostalgic style, easy remixability, and strong emotional appeal, the meme is likely to remain popular as long as creators keep using and evolving it.
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