Anime Girl Throwing Things

What is drawn

On a white background is a girl with long dark hair that lightens toward the ends, in a green knit top and a dark skirt, with a blue cord around her neck. One arm is raised above her head and the other is extended to the side, as if she has just thrown something. Her smile is open, and her gaze is directed at the viewer. Motion blur shows movement: a large can with a green logo flies straight at the viewer and covers part of the figure.

The background is entirely white, which is exactly what makes the drawing convenient for edits: the can is easy to erase and replace with anything.

Author and date

The original work was posted by an artist under the handle doshimash0 on July 24, 2020. In it the girl throws an energy drink can that visibly parodies a well-known brand.

Mass edits began in October 2020. According to reports, on October 16 a Reddit user posted a version with a different object. The most notable was an edit with a thrown rat from October 22, 2020, which noticeably accelerated the spread of the template.

How the joke works

The drawing works as a setup for the phrase 'catch this.' The thrown object flies toward the viewer, and the viewer has to 'catch' what the caption offers. Hence popular lines such as 'Think fast': the joke is based on the object arriving unexpectedly.

The contrast creates the comedy: the girl looks cheerful and friendly, but launches something at the viewer strange, heavy, or downright impossible. The more absurd the object, the bigger the effect.

Examples of substitutions

Instead of the can, the text reads 'Deadline.' The girl cheerfully tosses deadlines, and the 'Catch!' caption adds to the sense of panic.

Instead of the can: 'Sudden weekend plans.' The delivery is cheerful, the content unpleasant, and the whole joke lives in this contrast.

Instead of the can: 'Good mood.' The reverse move, where the viewer expects a catch but gets something pleasant.

Instead of the can, the text reads 'One more browser tab.' A reference to everyday silliness that anyone who sits at a computer will understand.

Tips

The object should be large and readable: in the frame it covers part of the figure, so a caption or picture on top of it will be visible. A nearby 'Catch!' or 'Think fast' caption strengthens the effect.

The drawing belongs to its artist, so when sharing it outside personal chats, it is better to keep a reference to the original source.

Playing on expectations also works well: first the viewer sees a familiar can, and in the altered version something completely different takes its place. The more the object differs from an energy drink in size, weight, and meaning, the more noticeable the effect. Abstract objects like 'Monday' or 'Tax return' read fastest of all.

If you want a series, change only the object and keep everything else: the pose, the smile, and the white background remain a recognizable template. Don't overload the caption: one word on the can and a short line above it is enough.