Azumanga Daioh began as a manga by Kiyohiko Azuma, serialised from 1999 to 2002, before J.C.Staff adapted it into a 26-episode anime in 2002. The series follows a group of high-school girls through everyday classes, festivals and friendships, and its gentle comedy helped it become an early favourite among international anime fans. As clips circulated on video sites and soundboards, short moments from the show became easy shorthand for wholesome, silly or nostalgic anime humour, keeping Azumanga Daioh recognisable long after its original run.