Leaked reports suggest Epic Games is eyeing a collaboration with the bizarre “Italian Brainrot” TikTok subculture, specifically targeting the Indonesian meme mascot Tung Tung Tung Sahur for an upcoming character skin. The potential addition marks a sharp pivot from the high-profile Disney and Marvel partnerships that have defined the battle royale’s recent roadmap, signaling a deeper dive into the chaotic undercurrents of niche internet trends.
Tung Tung Tung Sahur, a baseball bat-wielding anthropomorphic log, has become the face of a surrealist genre of AI-generated content. Despite the “Italian” label—derived from a specific pseudo-Italian AI voiceover used in the clips—the character is deeply rooted in Indonesian traditions. The name and accompanying “tung, tung, tung” sound effects mimic the rhythmic drumming used to wake practitioners for Sahur, the pre-dawn meal during Ramadan.
The inclusion of such a specialized meme mascot has left much of the veteran player base in a state of bewilderment. While Fortnite is no stranger to internet culture, having successfully integrated everything from Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” to the viral dances of TikTok, the move toward “Brainrot” content represents a different tier of absurdity. Critics argue that following the Skibidi Toilet trajectory risks alienating players who prefer the game’s established IP crossovers in favor of short-lived, AI-driven nonsense memes.
However, the strategy aligns with Epic Games’ historical ability to capture the attention of younger demographics who drive engagement through viral social media platforms. By transforming a niche TikTok mascot into a playable cosmetic, the developer continues to blur the line between a competitive shooter and a living museum of digital history. Whether Tung Tung Tung Sahur remains a persistent fixture in the locker or a forgotten relic of 2026’s internet landscape will depend on how the community receives this increasingly experimental approach to content.
