Early 2020s TikTok

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Early 2020s TikTok (also called 2020 TikTok) refers to the distinct cultural period on the social media platform TikTok that occurred roughly between 2020 and early 2023. This era was fundamentally shaped by the global context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which confined millions of young people to their homes and transformed the app into a primary hub for social interaction, entertainment, and cultural formation. It was characterized by the rapid development and popularization of numerous online aesthetics and subcultures, a highly charged socio-political climate, and a unique set of platform-specific dynamics and controversies.

The atmosphere of TikTok during this period was a direct product of its time. The widespread lockdowns led to a massive increase in platform usage, as people sought connection and distraction while in isolation. This captive audience accelerated the lifecycle of trends and promoted a highly interactive and participatory culture. Simultaneously, the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement following the murder of George Floyd, along with heightened discourse around LGBTQ+ rights, turned the platform into a significant space for youth-led activism, education, and social commentary. This environment was also defined by cancel culture, where users sought to hold public figures and peers accountable for their actions, which sometimes led to intense online conflicts and vigilantism.

Platform Dynamics[]

During this period, the TikTok user base created informal divisions to categorize the content on their "For You Page." The most significant of these was the split between "Straight TikTok" and "Alt TikTok."

"Straight TikTok" was the user-defined term for the platform's mainstream content. It was characterized by viral dance challenges, popular lip-sync audios, and content from conventionally attractive influencers like Charli D'Amelio and Addison Rae. It was often criticized by other users for being unoriginal or conformist.

"Alt TikTok," by contrast, was the umbrella for the platform's alternative and niche communities. It encompassed a vast range of subcultures, including fandoms, cosplay, alternative fashion, and various internet aesthetics. Alt TikTok was associated with indie and alternative music, progressive political views, and a general aversion to mainstream trends.

Over time, further niches like "Deep TikTok" and "Flop TikTok" emerged from the "Alt" side, featuring increasingly surreal, bizarre, and ironic humor. While these distinctions were central to the user experience in 2020 and 2021, the boundaries eventually blurred as trends began to cross-pollinate and the platform's algorithm evolved.

Aesthetics[]

Quarantine Indie[]

Main article: Indie Kid

Commonly referred to as quarantine indie, the Indie Kid microtrend gained popularity in 2020, characterized by bright colors, 2000s-inspired fashion, and a skater lifestyle. It differs from the original Indie style, which is really broad, less colorful, and considered more alternative. Indie Kid draws influences from Kidcore, Art Hoe, and Skater aesthetics.

Photos and videos are edited with high saturation and vibrance, lowered contrast, and sometimes added grain. These edits are commonly created using the iPhone's Camera app or filters on other popular apps. Imagery associated with Indie Kid ranges from nature scenes and cartoonish 60s-inspired graphics to urban settings like skateparks and convenience stores. Action shots of skateboarding, nature walks, and hanging out with friends are common. Certain room decor and patterns, such as the cow print, are also central to the aesthetic.

E-Girl[]

Main article: E-Girl

E-Girl, an abbreviation of "electronic girl", is an internet subculture that emerged in the late 2010s, popularized by the video-sharing application TikTok. The stereotype is associated with girls and young women who "only exist online," often partaking in activities like watching anime, gaming, and listening to K-Pop or underground alternative music circles.

The E-Girl aesthetic is expressed through assuming an "alt" persona on trending social media platforms such as TikTok with memes and video formulas. While the term E-girl initially referred to chronically online women who gained an audience on social media, it has evolved into a stereotype of young women, primarily from the first half of Gen Z, who seek "clout" (internet fame) through their online presence and often utilize suggestive content such as "thirst traps," often inspired by hentai culture. During 2019, when the aesthetic reached its peak popularity, participants were mostly in their mid-teens to early 20s.

Alt Kid[]

Main article: Alt Kid

Alt Kid, also known as E-Kid or 2020 Alt, is an early 2020s fashion style that originated on TikTok and spread to platforms like Pinterest. Similar to E-Girl and E-Boy, it is associated with chronically online young teens who participate in trends and wear alternative fashion. Unlike the latter, E-Kids often wear a more androgynous and somewhat less sexualized style.

Fashion draws inspiration from various styles, including Japanese street fashion, E-Girl/E-Boy, Mallgoth, Pastel Goth, Scene, Animecore, and Kidcore. Typical clothing includes oversized graphic t-shirts, hoodies, striped undershirts, arm warmers, shorts, pleated skirts, cargo pants, chunky sneakers, Converse, Demonia boots, Crocs, ripped tights, fishnets, knee-high socks, leg warmers, kandi bracelets, animal ears, chokers, maid bonnets, and bunny/frog hats.

E-Kids frequent online communities such as TikTok, Discord, and Amino, participating in hobbies related to gaming, anime/manga, K-Pop, and various fandoms. Minecraft and Roblox are also used as social platforms where the style was prominent in virtual avatars. E-Kid content often features songs trendy within Alt TikTok, fan creations (blogs, zines, fan art), and videos showing Monster energy drinks, Gatorade, and "Battery Acid" (a mixture of the two with sour candy), and Asian cuisine.

Scenecore[]

Main article: Scenecore

Scenecore is an aesthetic that emerged in 2020, often confused with the late 2000s Scene subculture, but distinct from it. Scenecore typically incorporates anime imagery with rainbows, hyperpop music (often originating from SoundCloud), and the 2020 Alt or E-Girl fashion style. It is sometimes referred to as "Rawring 20s," referencing the Roaring Twenties.

Despite drawing a lot of inspiration from Scene, Scenecore is treated like a different aesthetic. It is characterized by a modern take on Scene fashion and visuals, incorporating elements of Glitchcore and Animecore. Much of it revolves around the topic of "cringe culture."^[1]

Scenecore music is classified as a subgenre of hyperpop.^[1] It typically features pitched-up vocals, "nostalgic" melodies, and samples from video games and anime. Some consider Scenecore music to be edgier than typical Scene music, with lyrical themes that reference mental health, gore, drugs, and the unknown. Not all Scenecore music uses this aesthetic, especially after early 2023.

Scenecore has faced criticism from some members of the original Scene subculture, who view it as appropriating and commodifying their lifestyle.^[1] This has led to some Scenecore adherents being labeled "posers" or straight up embracing the term "Posercore." However, it's worth noting that Scene started as a poser subculture within Emo, which raises questions about the hypocrisy of derivative movements.

Glitchcore[]

Main article: Glitchcore

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Glitchcore is an aesthetic characterized by the maximalistic use of visual glitches and distortion, incorporating heavily saturated colors, rainbows, flashing patterns, pixelation, and eyestrain.^[2] It peaked in popularity on TikTok in 2020-2021,^[3] often associated with the Danganronpa fandom. The aesthetic frequently features characters and artwork from cartoons, anime, and video games.

Glitter Anime[]

Glitter Anime profile pictures were a popular trend on TikTok in 2020, particularly within the Alt TikTok and E-Kid communities. They typically consisted of screenshots from popular anime shows or video games like Danganronpa, Kakegurui, Demon Slayer, and My Hero Academia, edited with added sparkles, glitter effects, and pale or pastel filters. This trend has seen a resurgence on TikTok in 2025.

Over-accessorized Cosplay[]

Tiktok_Cosplayers_&_their_obsession_with_accessories — Tiktok Cosplayers & their obsession with accessories

Video by vocaaa cosplay.

Over-accessorized Cosplay, sometimes called Decora Cosplay, is a style of cosplay that gained popularity on Alt TikTok in 2020. It involves adorning a pre-existing character's look with an abundance of accessories, such as kandi bracelets, rainbow butterfly clips, bunny hats, safety pins, and striped fingerless gloves. This style is reminiscent of Japanese Decora fashion, known for its maximalist approach to accessorizing. The focus in Decora Cosplay is more about personal expression, creativity, and individuality rather than strict accuracy to the character's original appearance. Elements of bondage and E-Boy/E-Girl fashion, like chains and chokers, are also often incorporated. It was predominantly associated with the Danganronpa fandom.

This style has faced criticism, particularly regarding the use of excessive accessories. Some argue that the abundance of accessories can detract from the character's official design and make the cosplay visually overwhelming. Others defend the style, emphasizing the importance of creative expression and individual interpretation in cosplay.

A more serious controversy arose when some participants incorporated used period products, such as tampons, into their cosplays. This practice, which appears to have originated around 2020-2021, sparked widespread condemnation for its unsanitary nature and social inappropiateness. While the exact origins and extent of the trend remain somewhat unclear, anecdotal evidence from various TikTok and Reddit users suggests it may have involved cosplayers portraying characters like Ibuki Mioda and Mikan Tsumiki from the Danganronpa series, as well as a Monokuma plush.^[4]