Fed's New Rate Hike Eye Infections Money-Saving Tips Huawei Watch Ultimate Adobe's Generative AI Tips to Get More Exercise 12 Healthy Spring Recipes Watch March Madness
Want CNET to notify you of price drops and the latest stories?
No, thank you
Accept
Culture

Area 51 memes: Watch a guy Naruto run behind a reporter on live TV

The viral event in Nevada to "see them aliens" is finally happening, and so are the memes.

Gael Fashingbauer Cooper headshot
Gael Fashingbauer Cooper
2 min read

Aliens, watch your backs. TheĀ meme-turned-musical-festival known as Alienstock has finally arrived. The two-day event in the tiny town of Rachel, Nevada, stemmed from a joke Facebook event suggesting people storm the heavily guarded Area 51, long associated with space aliens.Ā 

CNET's own Erin Carson is attending the Rachel event, and is reporting back on what she encounters, and social media is already ready and watching the desert goings-on.Ā 

On Friday morning, Twitter couldn't get enough of a guy Naruto-running through the Nevada desert behind a reporter on live TV. "Naruto run" refers to an awkward way of running depicted in the Japanese anime Naruto, where main character Naruto Uzumaki flings his arms behind him. The original Facebook Area 51 event description famously said, "We will all meet up at the Area 51 Alien Center tourist attraction and coordinate our entry," the original text read. "If we Naruto run, we can move faster than their bullets. Let's see them aliens."Ā 

Now playing: Watch this: What it's like going to a Naruto run
1:01

Here is said guy, with these words from a Twitter user: "We live in such a great times we can witness a dude Naruto-running his way to Area 51. Now folks I'm not usually sentimental but that shit's beautiful." Wrote another, "This is high-key the dumbest greatest thing our generation is doing." Ā 

Leading up to the events, many people thought no one would show up. "There will be maybe 20 people there and they will be arrested and fined," predicted one Twitter user. "I bet this will be lots of fun."

Still, people made the trek to the desert, properly attired and all.Ā 

Our reporter shared how attendees can get their own tinfoil hats.

Although the North Korean flag made a rather confusing appearance.

As did the Infinity Gauntlet from the Avengers movies.

Even those who aren't attending were ready before the events started. "Tomorrow's the day. Godspeed you majestic warriors," one Twitter user tweeted on Thursday with an image of a giant alien.Ā 

Now playing: Watch this: What it's like going to a Naruto run
1:01

Sure, the entire concept is lighthearted if nothing bad happens. But are some people really going to be foolish enough to mess with the US Air Force, which is responsible for the mysterious Area 51? "Hope those socially awkward edgelords have good health insurance," one Twitter user wrote.

We'll keep you posted.

Alienstock: Scenes from the ground of the Area 51 raid

See all photos

Originally published Sept. 19 and will be updated frequently throughout the event. CNET's Erin Carson contributed to this report.Ā