The Resurgence of 'Ranranruu': Ronald McDonald's Controversial Catchphrase Returns to the Spotlight on X

In recent years, the phrase "Ranranruu," once a massive sensation, has resurfaced with significant attention on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Affectionately known as "Reiwa's Ranranruu," this phenomenon has brought both nostalgia and surprise to many users, dominating trending topics.

Many posts originated from videos and images featuring McDonald's official character, Ronald McDonald, performing "Ranranruu." Comments like "I can't believe I'm seeing the original Ranranruu in Reiwa!" and "Did the person inside Ronald even know that Ranranruu was popular back then? lol" reveal users' delight and excitement that the official side has acknowledged and reused the phrase. There are also reactions calling McDonald's recognition of this "meme-ification" "super hot."

However, this phrase carries a complex history. Numerous comments on X include remarks like "Ranranruu was a forbidden word when I was in elementary school," "It was on the list of words we couldn't say at school back then, lol. If you said it, the teacher would call you in," and "For some generations, Ranranruu can only be interpreted as an insult." There was a period when, as an internet meme, it spread with negative connotations (such as "die, disappear") that deviated from its original meaning, and it was not uncommon for its use to be restricted in schools and elsewhere. Therefore, the surprise at its official re-emergence, with comments like "Ranranruu wasn't erased from history!?", is significant.

Currently, while some users act as "Light Ranranruu Missionaries," explaining it as a dance of encouragement and joy for Ronald, others perceive derivative forms like "Hover Ranranruu" as "chi-kuchi-ku words" (a term for subtly hurtful or irritating remarks), indicating diverse interpretations of the phrase. There are also voices calling Ronald "the best guru who makes people smile with just Ranranruu," suggesting that its positive aspects are being re-evaluated.

The fact that "Ranranruu," once treated as a "forbidden word," has been officially brought back into the spotlight in the Reiwa era, symbolizes the history and evolution of internet culture. For many, it seems to be more than just a phrase; it's a special entity where fond memories and current surprises intersect.

The context

"Ranranruu" is a nonsensical phrase originally uttered by the McDonald's mascot Ronald McDonald in Japanese commercials, usually accompanied by a distinctive dance. It gained widespread popularity as an internet meme in the mid-2000s in Japan. However, like many internet memes, its meaning was distorted over time, and it became associated with negative or offensive connotations, often used in conjunction with threatening or abusive language. This led to it being banned in some schools and its use becoming controversial. The current resurgence on X (formerly Twitter) is notable because McDonald's Japan appears to be acknowledging and playfully re-engaging with this complex part of its mascot's pop culture history, leading to reactions of nostalgia, amusement, and a re-examination of its past controversial status among Japanese internet users.