The image in question is a two-panel meme composed of screenshots from the anime "Naruto." In the top panel, two characters are seen shaking hands. They have been labeled as "The class nerd" and "The kid who didn't study," likely to highlight the humorous contrast between two students with very different academic behaviors.
The bottom panel zooms in on the handshake, focusing more closely on the hands coming together. It is labelled "Finishing the exam early," implying a sense of camaraderie or mutual understanding that occurs when students from different academic backgrounds find themselves completing an examination at the same time.
The humor in this meme may come from the relatability of the exam experience depicted. Many people can recall the diverse range of students they went to school with, including the quintessential 'class nerd' renowned for their diligence and the 'kid who didn't study' who is notorious for their lack of preparation. To see these two archetypes presented in the unexpected context of an anime captures the surprise and playfulness of meme culture.
Moreover, the meme taps into a universal feeling among students—the varied paces at which they work during exams. Finishing early can be seen as a surprise regardless of how much one studies, and the meme wittily suggests that both the over-prepared and the under-prepared may find themselves in this situation, subverting the typical expectation that only those who study extensively would complete an exam quickly.
The contrast between the scholarly appearance of the first character and the more laid-back demeanor of the second character is exaggerated for comic effect. In academic settings, these two types of students would not necessarily be seen acting in unison, yet the meme playfully suggests that exams can be the great equalizer in this regard, adding to the humor.
Lastly, the overall joke seems to hinge on the irony and unexpectedness of the situation. The absurdity of two diametrically opposed students finishing at the same time, and their unexpected solidarity, catches viewers off guard, playing into comedic timing and turning a typical school scenario into a lighthearted and humorous observation many can appreciate. The class nerd The kid who didn t study Finishing the exam early