Alpout (Bijo)

Alpout (often stylized as Alpout Bijo) refers to a defunct, albeit briefly influential, trend within certain online communities, primarily on imageboards and social media platforms, characterized by the deliberate misinterpretation and distortion of anime-style or cartoon-like images of women ("bijo" meaning beautiful woman in Japanese). This distortion often involves exaggerated facial features, particularly the eyes and mouth, and intentionally awkward or unsettling poses. The purpose of this trend was generally satirical or humorous, often poking fun at tropes and conventions found in anime and manga.

The phenomenon began gaining traction in the mid-2010s and continued for a short period before fading in popularity. The name "Alpout" is believed to be a portmanteau of "Alpaca" and "Pout," referencing the large, sometimes comical, eyes of alpacas and the pursed-lip expression commonly associated with characters in anime. The (Bijo) suffix directly acknowledges the source material that is being manipulated.

The Alpout Bijo trend was often created and shared anonymously, contributing to its ephemeral nature and lack of concrete documentation. There were no specific rules or guidelines associated with the style, allowing for a wide range of interpretations. While intended as humor, some criticized the trend for potentially bordering on objectification or contributing to negative portrayals of women, particularly those of Asian descent. However, proponents argued it was a self-aware and satirical commentary on existing media, not an endorsement of harmful stereotypes.

The trend is largely considered historical now, with only infrequent references found in online communities. While the term "Alpout Bijo" might be recognized by those familiar with online trends from that period, it is not widely known outside of those niche circles.