The Eye Of The Wicked Lord: Unmasking The "I Will Be Taking That" Anime Meme's True Origin
Every corner of the internet is a battleground for content, and when you see something worth saving, there's one anime meme that perfectly captures the moment of digital theft: the "I Will Be Taking That" image macro. As of December 19, 2025, this simple, powerful reaction image continues to dominate comment sections and social feeds, but the identity of the adorable, eye-patched character at its center remains a mystery to many. This article dives deep into the meme's origin, revealing the full story of the character, her anime, and the surprising 2025 updates keeping the franchise alive.
The original image macro, which has countless variations, is a quintessential piece of anime internet culture. It embodies the feeling of claiming a perfect GIF, a witty comment, or a cool piece of art for your own collection. To truly understand its power, we must first meet the "Eye of the Wicked Lord" herself.
Rikka Takanashi: Biography of the Wicked Lord
The character most famously associated with the "I Will Be Taking That" meme is Rikka Takanashi, the female protagonist of the popular romantic comedy anime, Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions! (Japanese: Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!).
- Full Name: Rikka Takanashi (小鳥遊 六花)
- Anime/Source: Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions! (2012–2014, plus a 2018 movie)
- Voice Actress: Maaya Uchida (Japanese), Maggie Flecknoe (English)
- Age: 16 (at the start of the series)
- Key Nicknames: The Eye of the Wicked Lord (邪王真眼, Jaō Shingan), Wicked Eye, Rikkun
- Defining Trait: Severe case of *chūnibyō* (eighth-grade syndrome), which manifests as elaborate, fantastical delusions.
- Signature Appearance: An eye patch covering her right eye (which she calls the "Eye of the Wicked Lord"), and a small, blonde hair ribbon that signifies her contract with the "Dark Flame Master."
- Personality Type: Often typed as an INFP (Mediator) or ISFP (Adventurer), she is imaginative, deeply emotional, and struggles with reality following a personal tragedy.
Rikka's character is defined by her chūnibyō, a term that describes teenagers who exhibit grandiose delusions, believing they possess special powers or a hidden destiny. This syndrome is the central theme of the Kyoto Animation series, providing both comedy and heartfelt drama as she navigates high school life alongside the male protagonist, Yūta Togashi, who is a former chūnibyō sufferer himself—the self-proclaimed "Dark Flame Master."
The Meme's Origin and Topical Authority
While the phrase "I'll be taking that" is generic, the iconic anime image macro featuring a character with a mischievous or determined expression is what the online community recognizes instantly. The most circulated versions often use a fan-drawn or edited image of Rikka Takanashi or a character with a similar aesthetic (small, cute, and slightly sinister), perfectly capturing the essence of digital content appropriation.
Why Rikka Takanashi Became the Face of the Meme
Rikka's persona is perfectly suited for the meme's intention. Her *chūnibyō* delusions are all about claiming fantastical power and objects. When she "takes" something, she is not just stealing; she is *claiming* it for her grand, fictional universe. This gives the meme an extra layer of irony and thematic depth:
- The Eye of the Wicked Lord: Rikka's eye patch is said to seal her immense, dark power. The act of "taking" something online becomes an extension of her fictional magical abilities.
- Delusional Authority: Her constant role-playing as a sorceress gives her an air of self-appointed authority, making the command "I will be taking that" sound less like a request and more like a decree from a higher power.
- The KyoAni Factor: The series was produced by Kyoto Animation (KyoAni), known for its high-quality, expressive character animation. This visual fidelity made the characters highly recognizable and easily adaptable into reaction images.
- LSI Keywords: anime reaction image, digital theft meme, KyoAni anime, chūnibyō syndrome.
The meme's popularity exploded across platforms like Reddit, Twitter, and Discord, becoming the universal shorthand for "I am saving this image/GIF to my hard drive." It is a staple in the anime image macro lexicon.
The Enduring Legacy: Franchise Updates in 2025
Despite the anime's original run concluding over a decade ago, the *Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions!* franchise, and by extension, the "I Will Be Taking That" meme, remains highly relevant and supported by its studio, a testament to its topical authority in the slice-of-life genre.
Exclusive 2025 Merchandise and Events
The most recent and significant update is the continued celebration and promotion of the series by Kyoto Animation itself. The studio has confirmed that *Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions!* will be a featured title in their upcoming 2025 Fan Event.
- New Visuals: Kyoto Animation has revealed new visual and merchandise details for the event, which keeps the characters' designs fresh in the minds of the fanbase.
- Exclusive Goods: Fans can expect a new wave of exclusive merchandise, including Rikka Takanashi figures, keychains, and other memorabilia, ensuring the character remains visible across social media and in online stores like Etsy and Redbubble.
- Blu-ray Availability: Collector's items, such as the sealed limited-edition Blu-ray box set, continue to be actively sold, indicating a strong, ongoing market for the series.
This commitment from KyoAni ensures that Rikka Takanashi is not just a relic of old anime memes but a continuously supported character, which naturally fuels the creation of new meme variations and keeps the "I Will Be Taking That" image in circulation.
The Chūnibyō Phenomenon and Cultural Context
The anime's core concept, the chūnibyō syndrome, has itself become a widely recognized cultural entity and a powerful LSI keyword. The term describes anyone who acts out grandiose delusions, and the series is the definitive pop culture representation of this phenomenon. This relatability is why the meme transcends the anime fandom; everyone knows someone who takes themselves a little too seriously, or everyone has a moment when they want to dramatically claim something.
The relationship between Rikka and Yūta (the Dark Flame Master) is also a constant source of discussion and fan content. Their journey from delusional partners to a genuine couple forms the emotional core of the series, providing a rich backdrop for an endless stream of fan art, discussions, and of course, new memes.
In conclusion, the "I Will Be Taking That" meme is far more than a simple reaction image. It is a piece of digital heritage rooted in the beloved anime *Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions!* and its star, Rikka Takanashi. Her persona as the powerful "Eye of the Wicked Lord" perfectly encapsulates the digital power fantasy of claiming content as your own, and thanks to continued support and 2025 events from Kyoto Animation, her legacy as the ultimate content thief is secure.
Detail Author:
- Name : Geovanny Herzog MD
- Username : gutkowski.dalton
- Email : ashlynn.champlin@gmail.com
- Birthdate : 1982-09-10
- Address : 85671 Dibbert Garden Delphiaview, HI 76563-4076
- Phone : 678.234.9424
- Company : Monahan PLC
- Job : Network Systems Analyst
- Bio : Cupiditate recusandae autem expedita ipsam. Atque architecto vitae omnis rerum doloribus voluptas consequuntur qui. Excepturi nemo dolorem quas autem.
Socials
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/alex_id
- username : alex_id
- bio : Est aut tenetur omnis recusandae ut delectus. Sed nisi impedit hic autem vero velit.
- followers : 443
- following : 1218
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/alex.white
- username : alex.white
- bio : Sit distinctio harum et. Provident dicta qui sunt magnam consequuntur eius nam.
- followers : 4686
- following : 1359
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/alex.white
- username : alex.white
- bio : Voluptas ipsum earum fuga velit.
- followers : 501
- following : 375
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/alex_white
- username : alex_white
- bio : Itaque nulla suscipit quo eius nostrum. Quo minima asperiores omnis rerum. Error esse quod blanditiis assumenda consectetur sapiente.
- followers : 1853
- following : 2327
