Wobbuffet first appeared in Pokemon Gold and Silver, released in Japan in 1999, and became widely known through the Pokemon anime as a member of Team Rocket, where it constantly burst out of its Poke Ball uninvited. Its habit of announcing itself at awkward moments turned the name into a running joke, and clips of the cry spread through Pokemon fan videos, edits and reaction compilations. It remains popular because the sound is short, instantly familiar and funny even without any context.