There are few places on this planet as diverse and international as New York City. Whether it’s a fair estimation or not, the Big Apple also has a common image that is a little less appealing, however: one of being a little bit dirty and home to a veritable army of rodents.
Questions of their cleanliness aside, apparently the New York City rats are just as diverse and talented as their human cohabiters. Take for example this little guy who looks like he may be training for some kind of Ninja Warrior competition for rodents.
▼ Does the rat world have ninja?
It could be that with so many rats in one area, you’re just bound to have some that are smarter or more acrobatic than others. Maybe they’re having to evolve as New Yorkers are using public trash cans more, so there’s less garbage on the streets for the rats to play in.
▼ Is he a real-life Master Splinter, the martial arts expert rat from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?
How this little guy came to be able to do such acrobatic, ninja-like tricks may never be known, but if his little rat babies learn to do it too, New York may want to start thinking about increasing their rodent control. May we suggest ninja cats?
Sources: Toychan, Metro
Images: Imgur via Metro (edited by RocketNews24), DeviantArt (ShinMusashi44)
Shibuya convenience store overrun with rats 【Videos】
New York City’s Barcade is all about the classic Japanese games
Naked mole-rats aren’t naked any more thanks to a new line of Japanese capsule toys
Believe it! Naruto’s creator Masashi Kishimoto comments on plans for new manga at New York event
Japan-designed New York City “Taxi of Tomorrow” put on display in Tokyo despite recent setback
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Japan has only one airport named after a samurai, so let’s check out Kochi Ryoma【Photos】
Saitama is home to the best strawberries in Japan that you’ve probably never even heard of
Ghibli’s Kiki’s Delivery Service returns to theaters with first-ever IMAX screenings and remaster
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
We take a cat yoga class at a Japanese rescue cat cafe
New interactive Pokémon attraction coming to Universal Studios Japan
Beautiful blue apple jam is taking the Japanese internet’s breath away!
Manga artist raises question online about false perspective in Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro
An overnight trip on the Sunrise Izumo, Japan’s awesome Tokyo-Shimane sleeper train【Photos】
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Is Sapporio’s Snow Festival awesome enough to be worth visiting even if you hate the snow? [Pics]
Japan has trams that say “sorry” while they ride around town…but why?
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Japan’s new “Cunte” contact lenses aren’t pronounced like you’re probably thinking they are
Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Gate and Yamanote Line stairway locations change next month
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Starbucks Japan adds new sakura Frappuccino and cherry blossom drinks to the menu
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
Mathew Broderick Spotted in New York, Employs Strange New Anti-Photography Device
New York pizza joint in Tokyo has rave reviews with foreigners on Reddit, but is it any good?
New York City restaurant shocks customers’ taste buds with new sweet treat: ice cream ramen【Pics】
New York-style Japanese ramen! We try Totto Ramen in Midtown Manhattan
New Japanese-developed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game’s trailer looks amazing 【Video】
McDonald’s releases Come on Baby New York Burgers in Japan…but where’s the N.Y. flavour?
Kitty gets stuck while attempting new in-house Ninja Warrior challenge course【Video】
Pikachu outbreak happens again, this time in New York! 【Photos/Videos】
Five things about New York that surprised our Japanese reporter
Maybelline New York releasing special Japan-only Pokémon Pikachu Collection
12 culinary delights from Japan that you can find in New York City