The line comes from Parappa the Rapper, the rhythm game created by NanaOn-Sha and first released in Japan in 1996, where the optimistic dog Parappa learns to rap his way through everyday challenges. 'I gotta believe' sums up his cheerful determination and became one of the game's most quotable moments. As clips spread through soundboards, gaming videos and short-form edits, the phrase took on a second life as a meme for stubborn confidence, keeping it popular with players who grew up with the game and newer audiences discovering it online.