Rather than relying on an elaborate inside joke or niche meme, TikTok's newest animation trend is built around a simple visual: A character staring blankly into the distance while tiny versions of other characters happily spin around their head.

Set to a whimsical Vocaloid song, the format has quickly spread across countless fandoms as artists create their own variations across TikTok and other social media platforms.

Known as the "Twins at The Carousel Trend," the animation meme has rapidly spread across TikTok in June 2026, inspiring thousands of fan animations featuring everything from video game characters to superheroes and internet personalities.

But where did the animation trend come from, and why has it become so popular among animators lately? Let's explain.

@museumartz II #thebookoflife II trend by: @mushuuno II Tried a newish paint style! I like how this one turned out! II #animationmeme #thebookoflifemovie #manoloxmaria #thebookoflifefanart ♬ son original – Mushuuno

Where Does The 'Twins At The Carousel' Trend Come From?

The trend uses the song "Twins at the Carousel" ("ふたつの木馬"), which was released by Japanese Vocaloid producer Kikuo featuring Hatsune Miku back on March 23rd, 2023.

The animation format itself began three years later, on June 10th, 2026, when TikTok user mushuuno posted an original animation featuring Clark, played by actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, in the Backrooms film.

In the video, Clark gives a deadpan look and stares toward the viewer while miniature pirate versions of himself dance in circles around his head as Kikuo's song plays in the background.

@mushuuno Twins at the carrousel – backrooms fanart ONLY 7 DAYS TO WAIT IM SO HAPPY!!!!! Anyways I love Clark so have this #backrooms #backroomsmovie #backroomsclark #backroomsfanart #chiwetelejiofor ♬ son original – Mushuuno

The animation quickly resonated with viewers, earning hundreds of thousands of likes and inspiring other artists to recreate the concept using their own favorite characters, OCs and franchises as it became a trend over the last few weeks.

How Is The 'Twins at The Carousel' Trend Used?

The Twins at The Carousel trend typically features one character standing still with a tired, blank or emotionally detached expression while one or more miniature characters dance around their head in a looping circle.

The contrast between the motionless central figure and the energetic dancers creates the meme's signature visual style, which has now been replicated thousands of times.

Within days of mushuuno's original animation, artists across TikTok began adapting the format to different fandoms.

One early example posted on June 17th, 2026, featured characters from the "Destroying A World That Doesn't Exist" Minecraft ARG, with the creator directly crediting TikToker mushuuno as the inspiration.

@tectco_ Avery carousel! Idea/og by @/Mushuuno 7\ #averythemayo #d3rlord3 #animation #dawtde #sfawtde ♬ son original – Mushuuno

As the trend continued growing, other creators produced versions starring characters from the likes of Limbus Company, Invincible and numerous other games, anime, films and web series.

that new meme trend ive been seeing. Twins at a Carousel
by
u/Raymond3663 in
limbuscompany

On June 27th, TikTok user chanjiayimoe also uploaded a reusable template, making it even easier for artists to participate in the trend.

@chanjiayimoe twins at the carousel | lalalalalalalala (plz don't flop :( )#animation #carousel # #trending #xyzbca #fyp ♬ original sound – Caspian the awesome

On June 29th, a Redditor by the name of BumblebeeTechnical58 posted their addition to the trend featuring YouTuber and animator MeatCanyon with his character Tugboat on the /r/MeatCanyon subreddit, expanding it into notable internet figures.

By the beginning of July 2026, the sound associated with the meme had been used in tens of thousands of TikTok videos, helping establish the Twins at The Carousel trend as one of the year's most widespread animation memes.

@rudoaero Twins at the carousel trend #invincible #invincibleedit #invincibleseason3 #animationmeme ♬ original sound – RudoAero

What Are Some Examples Of 'Twins At The Carousel' Memes?

@taffy_the_artist Twins at the carousel animation meme// OG: mushuuno // I was surprised I haven’t seen any Fnaf version of this animation and I HAD to jump in especially before I get busy with artfight. #animationmeme #animation #fnaf #springtrap #fyp ♬ son original – Mushuuno

@sqnnnvvviii Goodbye Jane hopper, we hardly knew you I thought of doing just 2 characters and ended up doing the whole party 🥹 #twinsatthecarousel #strangerthings #janehopper #animation #fyp ♬ son original – Mushuuno

@pototoshka мне так тоскливо от этого тренда становится ;( #onepiece #goingmerryonepiece #art #trend #fyp ♬ son original – Mushuuno

@epiwhelham Just learned he was not the kid in the painting, but the dad 💔#iceage #animation #twinsatthecarousel #manny #lostfamily ♬ son original – Mushuuno

'Twins At The Carousel' Trend Tutorials And Templates

@crwyx__ Twins at the Carousel Animation Trend tutorial ((FREE TO USE)) #twinsatthecarousel #kikuo #tutorial #animation #2danimation ♬ Twins at the carousel (feat. Hatsune Miku) – KIKUO & Hatsune Miku

@kiboleander Respuesta a @yinightsh4d3 ♬ Twins at the carousel (feat. Hatsune Miku) – KIKUO & Hatsune Miku

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For the full history of the Twins At The Carousel trend and meme, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.