It’s the tale of the little Pop Tart space cat that could: YouTube video Nyan Cat has now been watched more than 100 million times online! In recognition of this momentous feat, we take a quick look back at where the perpetually smiling pastry pussy came from and how he stole our hearts, minds and computer screens.
Back in 2011, a young man named Christopher Torres made a simple animated GIF as part of a fund-raiser for the Red Cross. Originally known simply as Pop Tart Cat, the GIF showed a smiling grey cat with a sugary breakfast pastry of the same name for a body, running through space and leaving a streak of pure, rainbow-coloured happiness in its wake.
Within just a few hours, the looping animation was being shared all over the world, praised for being ‘teh cute’ and all kinds of LOLz. Three days later, taking a shine to the adorable character, YouTuber saraj00n uploaded the animated GIF as a video set to an edited version of the preexisting Voicaloid track Nyanyanyanyanyanyanya!, itself made up entirely of the Japanese onomatopoeic word ‘nyan‘ (similar to ‘meow’) in the synthesized voice of digital diva Hatsune Miku.
The result was Nyan Cat:
Since then, Nyan Cat has become a bona fide internet celebrity. Shared, recreated and imitated countless of times, Nyan Cat has become a textbook example of the power of the meme, but has also transcended the boundaries of his original frames of animation and YouTube video, and can be found all around us:
As clever desktop backgrounds…
Image: SonyRootKit
…Helping to keep our pants up…
Photo: IPriceClub
…Even adding a stroke of geek chic to young ladies’ make-up.
Photo: Katie Alves
Just as Nyan Cat continues to run through the cosmos even to this day, his video is showing no signs of slowing down having surpassed the 100-million-views mark this week, and the counter already creeping towards 101 million.
God speed ye, Nyan Cat!
Source: Gadget Sokuhou via My Game Newsflash (Japanese)
Reference: Wikipedia GIF via Xceejay
Nyan Cat Song Makes it into Hatsune Miku Project DIVA f
McDonald’s Japan captures otaku hearts, brings back Nyan Cat sound with new cat girl anime video
What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]
This Mother’s Day, why not give the gift of a single, really expensive, never-picked mango?
Second-generation sumo burger coming to Burger King Japan with return of Baby Body Burger
Japanese sweets souvenirs don’t get more beautiful than this
Tsujihan sushi bowl restaurant goes viral with foreign tourists, but is it worth the hype?
New Totoro carabiner pouches are ready to clip/tag along with you on all your adventures[Photos]
What’s up with the “mosquito buzz” noise at Shibuya Station?
Make-them-yourself Pokémon frappes arrive at Japanese convenience stores, can be mixed at home too
Fan makes functional Hatsune Miku digi-keytar
Shinkansen operator apologizes for three-minute delay because conductor was napping
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Japan is so hungry for workers it used up its five-year visa quota in record time
7-Eleven Japan releases Uji matcha smoothies… but only at select locations
7-Eleven Japan’s cooked-in-store takoyaki is here! How does it fare against the street food king?
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home