He’s the stoic one. The Namekian warrior who literally meditates under waterfalls for fun and rarely cracks a smile, let alone a grin. So, when the "Piccolo trying not to laugh" meme started circulating, it hit differently. It wasn’t just another Dragon Ball screengrab. It captured a very specific, very human energy: that agonizing struggle to keep a straight face when everything around you is falling apart into pure absurdity.
The image usually shows Piccolo—his green face tightened, jaw clenched, eyes darting—looking like he's about to burst. Honestly, it’s relatable. We’ve all been in that meeting or that classroom where someone says something so unintentionally hilarious that your soul starts vibrating, but social decorum demands silence. That’s the magic of this specific trope. It takes one of the most serious characters in anime history and turns him into a mirror for our own awkward social failures.
The Origins of the Smirking Namekian
If you’re looking for the exact episode, you won't find a scene where Piccolo is actually reacting to a joke. Most versions of the Piccolo trying not to laugh meme are edits or very specific, out-of-context frames from Dragon Ball Z or Dragon Ball Super. Often, it’s a frame-by-frame manipulation of his face during a moment of intense concentration or physical pain that, when frozen at just the right millisecond, looks exactly like a suppressed giggle.
Think about the context of Piccolo’s character arc. He started as a literal demon king's reincarnation. He was meant to be the personification of evil. Then he became a grumpy babysitter for Gohan, and eventually, the tactical backbone of the Z-Fighters. This evolution makes the "laughing" memes even better. We know he’s a softie deep down—the man wears a weighted cape and turban but will literally die to save a child—so seeing him "struggle" with humor feels like a natural, albeit non-canon, extension of his personality.
Digital artists on platforms like DeviantArt and X (formerly Twitter) have taken this even further. They’ve created high-quality redrafts of the scene, exaggerating the vein popping in his forehead. It's become a template for "Internal Screaming" or "When the teacher says something wrong but you can't correct them."
Why This Specific Meme Ranks So High in Fan Culture
There’s a reason people search for this more than, say, Goku laughing. Goku laughs all the time. It’s his default state. It’s boring. But Piccolo? That’s a rare event. It’s the "Deadpan Snarker" trope in reverse.
Fans of the series, especially those who grew up with the Funimation dub or the original Japanese run, appreciate the subversion of his "straight man" role. In comedy, the straight man is the one who reacts to the chaos around them with sobriety. When the straight man breaks, the comedy peaks. That’s exactly what’s happening here. When you see Piccolo trying not to laugh, you aren’t just looking at a green alien; you’re looking at the collapse of the most disciplined person in the room.
The Psychology of the Suppressed Laugh
Why is it funnier when someone tries not to laugh?
- The Tension: Humorous tension is like a rubber band. The more you stretch it by staying serious, the more impact it has when it finally snaps.
- The Relatability: Most of us have more in common with a grumpy guy trying to hold it together than a cheerful hero who is always happy.
- The Expression: Piccolo’s facial structure—the lack of eyebrows, the prominent brow ridge—makes his "struggle" face look particularly intense.
It’s basically the anime version of the "Guy Trying to Hold in a Fart" meme, but with significantly more gravitas and better color palettes.
Memes vs. Canon: Does Piccolo Actually Have a Sense of Humor?
Strictly speaking, the "Piccolo trying not to laugh" phenomenon is a fan-driven narrative, but the show does give us glimpses of his dry wit. Think back to the Dragon Ball Z filler episodes—specifically the legendary driving school episode. Piccolo in a "Postboy" t-shirt, wearing a backwards cap, and trying to pass a driving test is objectively the funniest thing the franchise ever did.
In that episode, we see him genuinely annoyed, which is the cousin of being amused. He’s observant. He sees the stupidity in others. In Dragon Ball Super, his role as a "grandpa" figure to Pan further softens his edges. He’s been seen playing along with her, which suggests that the stoic warrior persona is, at least partially, an act he maintains for the sake of his reputation.
How to Find the Best Versions of the Meme
If you’re hunting for the highest quality versions of this meme for your own use, you have to look beyond a basic Google Image search. The best iterations are often found in:
- Discord Emote Packs: Many anime-centric servers have custom "Piccolo_Strain" or "Piccolo_LUL" emotes that are cleaned up and transparent.
- Reddit’s r/Ningen: This is the primary hub for Dragon Ball "shitposting." You’ll find the most creative uses of the template there, often involving meta-commentary on the series itself.
- Tenor and GIPHY: Look for tags like "suppressed laughter" or "anime struggle."
One particular version that went viral involved a fan-edit where Piccolo’s face was swapped with a high-resolution "Trollface" subtle blend. It was unsettling. It was perfect.
Real-World Application: When to Use the Piccolo Reaction
This isn't just a static image; it's a communication tool. Honestly, it's the best response for:
- When your friend sends a "cursed" image and you're trying to stay mad but it’s actually funny.
- In a group chat when someone makes a typo that changes the entire meaning of a sentence to something inappropriate.
- When you’re watching a movie that is supposed to be sad but the acting is so bad you’re starting to lose it.
It communicates a specific blend of "I shouldn't be laughing at this" and "I am physically hurting from the effort of staying silent."
Why We Still Care About Namekian Expressions in 2026
Dragon Ball is a legacy. It’s been around for decades, and its characters are baked into the cultural lexicon. Piccolo remains a fan favorite because he represents growth. He’s the guy who changed the most. He went from a villain to a father figure. Seeing him "break character" through a meme is a way for fans to play with that history. It’s a form of digital folklore.
We don't need new episodes to keep these characters alive; we just need new ways to make them relatable. The "Piccolo trying not to laugh" meme is a testament to the character’s enduring relevance. It proves that even the most serious among us can’t escape the absurdity of life—or the internet.
✨ Don't miss: Why Lord of the Flies Fear and Hunger Connections Run Deeper Than You Think
How to Use the Piccolo Meme Effectively
To maximize the impact of this reaction in your own digital life, follow these steps:
- Context is Key: Use the "trying not to laugh" image specifically when you want to signal that you are aware a situation is funny but are trying to maintain a shred of dignity.
- Quality Matters: Always go for the high-definition redrafts rather than the grainy 2012 screengrab versions. The more detail you can see in his "struggle," the funnier the reaction is.
- Layering: Combine the image with a short, punchy caption like "Me during the 10th hour of the family reunion" to give it a fresh life.
- Video Edits: If you’re a creator, use a slow-zoom effect on Piccolo’s face with a muffled laughing sound effect to create a high-engagement short or reel.
Focus on the eyes. That’s where the real "struggle" in the meme lives. If the eyes look like they're vibrating, you've found the gold standard version.