Longcat

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Shiro (シロ)
Longcat c. 2005
Other name(s)Nobiko-san (のび子さん), Nobīru-tan (のびーるたん), Longcat
SpeciesFelis catus
Born2002 (2002)
Japan
Died (aged 18)
Known for
  • Being long
  • Subject of an Internet meme
OwnerMiko

Longcat (c. 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 (シロ),[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 Nobīru-tan[b] (のびーるたん[c]) and Nobiko-san (のび子さん[d]) some time around 2005 or 2006.[1][5][3][6] She was reportedly 65 centimetres (26 in) "from head to toe".[6]

Subsequently, the meme spread to English-language websites, primarily 4chan's /b/,[3][7] where it was edited into various images, and even had a song written about it.[8] 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][7][8]

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.[9] 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".[8] In September 2020, after a period of ill health, Longcat was taken to the hospital, and died at age 18.[3][9][10]

A Pokémon design released in 2019, the "Gigantamax Meowth", was compared by some commentators to Longcat.[4][11]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ "Shiro" (シロ) is a word derived from "white" (白い).[2]
  2. ^ "-tan" (たん) is a childish word for the suffix "-chan" (ちゃん) used when referring to people.
  3. ^ Written のびーるたん[2]
  4. ^ Written のび子さん[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b "「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). 23 September 2020. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "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]. 22 September 2020. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Longcat, the internet meme icon, dies aged 18". CNET. Archived from the original on 16 May 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  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 16 May 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  5. ^ 真二, 沓澤 (25 February 2024). "世界的なネットミーム「長く伸びた猫」が撮影から20年 今はいない「のび子さん」の思い出を飼い主に聞いた". ねとらぼ (in Japanese). ITmedia. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  6. ^ a b Thalen, Mikael (20 September 2020). "Longcat, meme legend, dead at 18". The Daily Dot. Archived from the original on 16 May 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  7. ^ a b Martinus, Danial (22 September 2020). "Remember Longcat? The internet meme icon has finally passed away at the age of 18". Mashable SEA. Archived from the original on 16 May 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  8. ^ a b c Hughes, Matthew (24 May 2019). "Longcat lives!". TheNextWeb. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  9. ^ a b "Longcat, the stretchy feline internet meme, has died aged 18". The Independent. 22 September 2020. Archived from the original on 16 May 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  10. ^ Tariq, Qishin. "So long, Longcat – Internet bids farewell to feline behind famous meme". The Star. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  11. ^ McWhertor, Michael (16 October 2019). "Thicc Pikachu and Longcat Meowth coming to Pokémon Sword and Shield". Polygon. Archived from the original on 16 May 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2023.