8chan, also known as Infinitechan, was launched in 2013 by Fredrick Brennan as a radical free-speech alternative to 4chan, allowing users to create their own boards with minimal oversight. Following significant controversy and de-platforming efforts, the site eventually rebranded as 8kun under the management of Jim and Ron Watkins. The 'meme' status of 8chan and 8kun stems from its reputation as a digital frontier for fringe subcultures, its role in the birth of various internet-wide movements, and its chaotic, unmoderated environment. In meme culture, it is often used to reference the deepest layers of the internet, the evolution of anonymity, or to satirize the intense discourse found within niche imageboard communities.