WARNING: This post references a Creepypasta thread that contains sensitive and graphic topics. This images and links in this post may be too graphic for some readers.
Spongebob Squarepants's latest episode, "Spongebob in Randomland," dropped a short Easter Egg for older fans. It referenced a specific Creepypasta from the website's "Lost Episodes" series titled "Squidward's Suicide."
In the original Creepypasta, Squidward sobs on the edge of his bed after a very displeased audience boos his latest concert. While Squidward is sobbing, graphic images of dead children are woven between frames. As the screen focuses back onto Squidward, his eyes now drip with blood. This particular haunting image is what is seen in this particular clip, shown below. While this clip aired in the US, it was reportedly cut from the UK, so watch at your own discretion.
As Squidward goes through a series of doors, he stumbles upon one where he sees his Creepypasta form blinking back at him. Adam Paloian, storyboard artist for the series, stated on Twitter that he was stuck on an additional gag for the scene, so he took a shot at adding the Easter Egg.
While Spongebob viewers may not think anything of it, Creepypasta fans are excited about this reference, already adding memes of Squidward's bloody face in the comments. Some commenters, however, believe that this is too much for a show targeted towards children.
Debuting in 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants has been the crown jewel for Nickelodeon for two decades, with an entire generation growing up with the cheerful character and his undersea home of Bikini Bottom.
Creepypasta is an online forum featuring user-submitted horror stories created to unnerve and frighten readers. Its name originated from the term "copypasta," which refers to plagiarized posts that are copied and pasted verbatim as original material.
If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1 800-273-TALK (8255) or through chat available 24/7.