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“Catception” meme: meaning, origin and common card

Catception is a series of YouTube videos where cats watch Nyan Cat, followed by other cats watching those reactions recursively.

MyMemeCards editorial teamPublished 7 min read
Catception meme
The “Catception” meme, 2011

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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Catception” is a common card of the Memes World series 74, number 22067 of the collection, and the 53rd best-known meme of its 300 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.

What does the “Catception” meme mean?

The concept relies on infinite repetition and visual chaos for comedic effect. It expresses pure internet absurdity, where each layer adds a level of confusing humor. Users enjoy this recursive structure that turns a simple reaction into a distorted mirror game of digital reality.

Where does the “Catception” meme come from?

The foundational video, "Kitten Watching Nyan Cat," was uploaded by user alwayshungrycat on September 5, 2011, on YouTube.[1] It features a cat watching Nyan Cat, a viral animation released on April 5, 2011, by saraj00n.[2] On September 7, 2011, user Ledenes posted the first response, starting a recursive chain where each new video captures cats watching the previous ones.[1] This mise-en-abyme structure quickly spread across YouTube, becoming a prime example of the platform's absurd, self-referential humor.[1]

  1. 2011Release of Nyan Cat by saraj00n on April 5.
  2. 2011Upload of the original video by alwayshungrycat on September 5.
  3. 2011Start of the recursive response chain with Ledenes on September 7.

How to use the “Catception” meme

  • Share this video in a conversation to illustrate a situation repeating endlessly without resolution.
  • Use the term Catception to describe internet content whose logic has become circular and incomprehensible.
  • Show the video chain to a friend to introduce them to the humorous absurdity of early YouTube culture.

Also searched as

  • catception meaning
  • catception origin
  • kitten watching nyan cat
  • catception meme

The “Catception” card in MyMemeCards

Catception card
NumberNo. 22067
RarityCommon
CollectionMemes World series 74
Fame64/100 · #53 of 300
Recycle value5 MemeCoins (15 in Shiny)
Rarities of the Memes World series 74: 300 cards
  • Common25083%
  • Rare299.7%
  • Epic217.0%

How to get the “Catception” card

Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Catception comes out of the Memes World series 74 as a common card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.

Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 5 MemeCoins.

Open your free pack

5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.

Free · no account needed

Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details

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Frequently asked questions

What does Catception mean?

It refers to a series of videos where cats watch Nyan Cat, creating a visual mise-en-abyme.

Who created Catception?

User alwayshungrycat posted the initial video, followed by others like Ledenes for the chain.

When did the first video appear?

The original video dates back to September 5, 2011, on YouTube.

How do I get the Catception meme card?

Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Catception” is a common card of the Memes World series 74. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.

How rare is the Catception card?

It is a Common card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.

Sources: Catception · Reception · Nyan Cat | Memes · checked on October 16, 2026.

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