Longcat

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Shiro
Felis catus
Born2002 (2002)
Japan
Died (aged 18)
Known forSubject of an Internet meme
OwnerMiko

Longcat (2002 – 20 September 2020) was a Japanese

domestic cat that became the subject of an Internet meme due to her length. Longcat, whose real name was Shiro,[1][a] was born in 2002.[3] An image depicting her being held with "outstretched paws"[4] became popular on Japanese imageboard Futaba Channel, where it was nicknamed Nobiko ("Stretch" in Japanese[b]) some time around 2005 or 2006.[3][5] She was reportedly 65 centimetres (26 in) "from head to toe".[5]

Background

In a 2019 interview, Longcat's owner said that the cat was "originally rescued after being discovered on the street in 2002", and at the time was thin with gray hair; as she grew older, she became white and fluffy. The cat was deaf.[6] In 2019, Longcat's owner said that, at age 17, the cat no longer "climbed to high places" but was "relaxing and living her life".[7]

In September 2020, after a period of ill health, Longcat was taken to the hospital, and died at age 18.[3][6][8]

Spread

Subsequently, the meme spread to English-language websites, primarily 4chan's /b/,[3][9] where it was edited into various images, and even had a song written about it.[7] A backstory was invented for the cat, involving a world-ending battle called "Catnarok" with a nemesis named "Tacgnol" (resembling Longcat with the colors inverted).[3][9][7]

The virtual community and message board

Meowth", was compared by some commentators to Longcat.[4][11]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Japanese 白 "white"[2]
  2. ^ Written のび子[2]

References

  1. ^ "「のびーるたん」「Longcat」コラ画像で世界的人気　「胴が長すぎる猫」シロ、天国へ". J-Cast News (in Japanese). September 23, 2020. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "那只在无数梗图中出现的长条猫去世了". 今日头条 [Jinri Toutiao] (in Chinese). 游研社 [YYSTV]. September 22, 2020. Archived from the original on June 20, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Longcat, the internet meme icon, dies aged 18". CNET. Archived from the original on 2023-05-16. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  4. ^ a b "'Pokémon Sword and Shield's Gigantamax Meowth looks a lot like Longcat meme". Inverse. 16 October 2019. Archived from the original on 2023-05-16. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  5. ^ a b Thalen, Mikael (September 20, 2020). "Longcat, meme legend, dead at 18". The Daily Dot. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Longcat, the stretchy feline internet meme, has died aged 18". The Independent. September 22, 2020. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c Hughes, Matthew (May 24, 2019). "Longcat lives!". TheNextWeb. Archived from the original on June 9, 2023. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  8. ^ Tariq, Qishin. "So long, Longcat – Internet bids farewell to feline behind famous meme". The Star. Archived from the original on 2023-04-07. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  9. ^ a b Martinus, Danial (September 22, 2020). "Remember Longcat? The internet meme icon has finally passed away at the age of 18". Mashable SEA. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  10. ^ Keith (May 21, 2007). "Longcat is GONE". Subeta. Archived from the original on September 20, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  11. ^ McWhertor, Michael (October 16, 2019). "Thicc Pikachu and Longcat Meowth coming to Pokémon Sword and Shield". Polygon. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
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