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“Kantai Collection” meme: meaning, origin and rare card

Kantai Collection, widely known as KanColle, is a Japanese browser game released in 2013.

MyMemeCards editorial teamPublished 8 min read
Kantai Collection meme
The “Kantai Collection” meme, 2013

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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Kantai Collection” is a rare card of the Memes World series 71, number 21166 of the collection, and the 125th 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 “Kantai Collection” meme mean?

The term refers to this specific cultural phenomenon where military history meets otaku aesthetics. It highlights the intense emotional bond players feel toward their digital shipgirls. It also represents a massive wave of fan art and videos that rival major commercial franchises in sheer volume and dedication.

Where does the “Kantai Collection” meme come from?

The concept originated in Japan through the DMM.com browser platform, developed by Kadokawa Games. The official launch took place on April 23, 2013. Unlike typical internet memes, this is a full-fledged strategy game. Developers personified World War II warships into young women retaining their vessel traits. This blend of tactical gameplay and moe character design captivated audiences immediately. The platform Nico Nico Douga became a hub for sharing MikuMikuDance videos. Interest quickly expanded to illustration sites like pixiv. A highly active community formed around these female avatars almost instantly.

  1. April 23, 2013Official launch of the browser game on the DMM.com platform by Kadokawa Games.

How to use the “Kantai Collection” meme

  • Use this reference to illustrate a game combining strategy with charming character designs.
  • Mention KanColle when discussing Japanese communities capable of producing massive amounts of amateur art.
  • Employ the term to compare the emotional intensity of a fandom towards inanimate or abstract objects.

Also searched as

  • KanColle
  • Kanmusu
  • Shipgirl
  • kantai collection meaning
  • kancole game
  • kancole origin
  • kancole warship girls
  • kancole fan community
  • kancole release date
  • kancole vs touhou

The “Kantai Collection” card in MyMemeCards

Kantai Collection card
NumberNo. 21166
RarityRare
CollectionMemes World series 71
Fame72/100 · #125 of 300
Recycle value10 MemeCoins (30 in Shiny)
Rarities of the Memes World series 71: 300 cards
  • Rare300100%

How to get the “Kantai Collection” card

Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Kantai Collection comes out of the Memes World series 71 as a rare 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 10 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

Memes like “Kantai Collection”

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Frequently asked questions

What is Kantai Collection?

It is a free strategy game released in 2013 in Japan. It features warships transformed into anime-style young women.

KanColle meme origin?

This is not a standard viral meme but a complete video game. Its success stems from its massive, creative fan community born at launch.

Who created Kantai Collection?

The project was developed by Kadokawa Games and distributed by DMM.com. The team aimed to merge naval history with Japanese pop culture.

Is KanColle real?

Yes, the game is real and not an urban legend. It enjoyed lasting popularity thanks to its anime and manga adaptations.

How do I get the Kantai Collection meme card?

Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Kantai Collection” is a rare card of the Memes World series 71. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.

How rare is the Kantai Collection card?

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

Sources: Kancolle - Ooi super jealous | Kantai Collection · Kantai Collection · Kancolle - Nagato and squirrel | Kantai Collection · checked on October 12, 2026.

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