Kel loves orange soda. If you’ve spent more than five minutes in the OMORI fandom, you know this isn't just a quirky character trait—it’s a lifestyle. It’s a meme. It’s basically the fuel that keeps the entire Faraway Town economy running, or at least Kel’s metabolism.
When OMOCAT released the psychological horror RPG OMORI back in 2020, nobody could have predicted that a pixelated bottle of "Orange Joe" would become a cultural touchstone. But here we are. Kel, the high-energy, impulsive, and fiercely loyal friend of the protagonist Sunny, has become synonymous with the fizzy, citrusy drink. It’s not just about the flavor, though. It’s about what the soda represents in the context of a game that is, quite frankly, devastatingly sad.
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What is Orange Joe exactly?
In the world of OMORI, Kel’s obsession manifests most famously as "Orange Joe." This isn't just your standard Fanta or Crush. It is a cursed, albeit beloved, concoction consisting of orange juice mixed with coffee. Yes, you read that right. Caffeine and citric acid. It sounds like a recipe for immediate heartburn, but for Kel, it’s the elixir of life.
The drink appears in both the "Headspace" (the dream world) and the "Real World" segments of the game. In Headspace, Kel is often seen sporting a tropical vibe, and his stats actually benefit from certain items that lean into this obsession. But it’s the Real World Kel—the teenage basketball player who has grown up while Sunny stayed locked away—who really solidified the meme. He carries the energy of a thousand suns, and the community has collectively decided that 100% of that energy comes from carbonated sugar.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a relief. OMORI deals with heavy themes: grief, suicide, depression, and the crushing weight of guilt. Amidst all that psychological trauma, having a kid show up at your door talking about how much he loves orange soda provides a much-needed tonal anchor. It reminds the player that life, despite the horror, still has room for stupid, joyful things.
The Kel Meme Canon is deeper than you think
There is a long-standing joke in the community: "Every Kel meme is canon."
This started because Kel is such a chaotic character that fans felt any ridiculous scenario involving him could actually happen in the game's universe. If someone draws Kel accidentally starting a fire while trying to microwave orange soda, the fans just nod and say, "Yeah, that’s canon."
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This flexibility has allowed the "Kel loves orange soda" trope to evolve. It’s no longer just a reference to a line of dialogue; it’s a tool for storytelling. Fans use it to contrast Kel’s outward happiness with the deeper, more complex emotions he hides. He’s the friend who smiles so everyone else feels okay. He drinks the soda to keep the vibe up.
Why the obsession stuck
- Contrast: The bright orange aesthetic pops against the muted, often dark tones of the game.
- Relatability: Everyone knew a kid like Kel in middle school. The one who lived on junk food and never seemed to run out of breath.
- Simplicity: In a game full of complex metaphors and hidden meanings, Kel’s love for a drink is refreshingly literal.
Actually, if you look at the game’s mechanics, the "Orange Joe" item is a bit of a gamble. It gives you a massive boost but comes with trade-offs. It’s a perfect metaphor for Kel himself—he’s all-in, all the time, regardless of the consequences.
The real-world impact of a fictional drink
You might think it’s just a game, but the "Kel loves orange soda" phenomenon has leaked into reality. People actually try to make Orange Joe. I’ve seen the YouTube videos and the TikToks. They take a shot of espresso and dump it into a glass of SunnyD.
The consensus? It’s usually terrible.
But that hasn't stopped the fans. Go to any anime or gaming convention where there’s an OMORI meetup, and you will see Kel cosplayers carrying orange soda bottles. It has become a shorthand for the character’s identity. It’s a badge of honor. It’s a way for fans to recognize each other in the wild without having to explain the entire 20-hour plot of a psychological thriller.
Misconceptions about Kel's personality
Some people think Kel is "the dumb one" because of his obsession with soda and his generally goofy demeanor. That’s a massive oversimplification. If you pay attention to the Real World segments, Kel is arguably the most emotionally mature person in the group. He’s the one who tried to move on. He’s the one who kept reaching out to Sunny for four years, even when he got no response.
The orange soda isn't a sign of immaturity. It’s a sign of consistency. In a world where his friend group fell apart and people died, Kel stayed Kel. He stayed loud, he stayed active, and he stayed loving that weird drink. It’s his armor.
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How to appreciate Kel (and his soda) properly
If you’re playing OMORI for the first time, don’t just dismiss Kel as the comic relief. Look at how his energy shifts the mood of the party. Notice how he uses humor and his "simple" interests to bridge the gap between people who are hurting.
And if you really want to dive into the "Kel loves orange soda" lifestyle, maybe skip the coffee-juice mix. Stick to a regular Fanta. Your stomach will thank you, and you’ll still be honoring the spirit of the most loyal friend in gaming history.
- Pay attention to the dialogue: Kel has some of the most insightful lines in the game, often hidden behind a joke about food.
- Check the trash cans: In the game, checking trash cans often rewards you with... well, trash, but it’s very "Kel" to find treasure in the mundane.
- Support the creators: OMORI is a masterpiece of indie development. Understanding the characters means understanding the care put into their quirks.
The most important thing to remember is that Kel’s love for orange soda is a testament to his resilience. He chooses joy. In a world that gave him every reason to be bitter, he chose to be sweet (and carbonated).
To truly understand the "Kel loves orange soda" phenomenon, you have to look at the community's creative output. Fan artists often depict Kel in "The Kel Nuke" setup—a specific gameplay strategy involving the "Run 'n Gun" skill, high speed stats, and, you guessed it, coffee or orange soda items. This strategy can deal thousands of damage points, making Kel the most powerful character on the team for a single turn. It’s a perfect marriage of meme culture and game mechanics. When Kel drinks that soda, he isn't just refreshing himself; he's becoming an unstoppable force of nature. This is why the meme persists: it’s backed up by the actual experience of playing the game.
Whether you're a casual fan or a hardcore theorist, Kel's orange soda is more than a drink. It’s a symbol of the enduring power of friendship and the importance of holding onto the small things when the big things fall apart. Next time you see a bottle of orange soda at the store, you’ll probably think of a tall, energetic kid with a basketball. That’s the power of good character design.
Next Steps for OMORI Fans
- Revisit the Real World segments: Look for the subtle ways Kel checks in on his friends' mental health while maintaining his upbeat persona.
- Experiment with the Kel Nuke: If you're replaying the game, optimize Kel's speed stats using the coffee/soda buffs to see just how broken his damage output can become.
- Join the community discussions: Check out platforms like Tumblr or Reddit to see the latest "Every Kel Meme is Canon" entries; the creativity there is endless.
- Host a themed play-through: Grab some actual orange soda (maybe skip the coffee mix-in) and experience the story again with a focus on Kel’s character growth.