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“Kemono Friends” meme: meaning, origin and rare card

Kemono Friends refers to a Japanese franchise born from a failed mobile game, then saved by a 2017 anime.

MyMemeCards editorial teamPublished 8 min read
Kemono Friends meme
The “Kemono Friends” meme, 2015

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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Kemono Friends” is a rare card of the Memes World series 71, number 21298 of the collection, and the 294th 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 “Kemono Friends” meme mean?

This meme expresses surprise and enthusiasm for an improbable success. It highlights how an animated adaptation can revitalize an abandoned video game project. The community embraces the anthropomorphic characters to create humorous or passionate works, turning a commercial failure into a cult following.

Where does the “Kemono Friends” meme come from?

The Kemono Friends franchise was launched by Nexon via a mobile game on Android on March 16, 2015, followed by the iOS version on March 19, 2015. The service was permanently shut down on December 14, 2016, marking the commercial failure of the initial title. In January 2017, an anime series adaptation was broadcast. Despite a very limited budget and low awareness of the source game, the anime experienced major viral success. This dynamic generated an active fandom sharing theories, quotes, and fanart. A notable case involves a real penguin fascinated by the representation of Hululu, generating numerous derivative contents.

  1. 2015Launch of the mobile game on Android on March 16 and on iOS on March 19 by Nexon.
  2. 2016Shutdown of the mobile game service on December 14, confirming its commercial failure.
  3. 2017Broadcast of the anime in January, causing a sudden and massive surge of interest among the public.

How to use the “Kemono Friends” meme

  • Share a humorous illustration of an animal character during a discussion about a project that seemed doomed to fail.
  • Cite the anime as an example of creative resilience when a technological or artistic product is relaunched at the last minute.
  • Use the expression to qualify a particularly zealous fan community despite the modest technical quality of the work.

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The “Kemono Friends” card in MyMemeCards

Kemono Friends card
NumberNo. 21298
RarityRare
CollectionMemes World series 71
Fame70/100 · #294 of 300
Recycle value10 MemeCoins (30 in Shiny)
Rarities of the Memes World series 71: 300 cards
  • Rare300100%

How to get the “Kemono Friends” card

Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Kemono Friends 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 “Kemono Friends”

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Frequently asked questions

What is Kemono Friends?

It is a Japanese franchise starting with a failed mobile game, then rediscovered thanks to a 2017 animated series that went viral despite a small budget.

Why did Kemono Friends become popular?

The anime surprised viewers with its naive charm and unique storytelling, attracting curious spectators after the game's failure, thus creating an internet trend effect.

Who are the Friends in Kemono Friends?

The Friends are female anthropomorphic characters representing various animal species, central protagonists of the universe developed by Nexon.

Is the Kemono Friends game still available?

No, the online service of the mobile game was permanently closed in December 2016, although the anime maintained the brand's notoriety.

How do I get the Kemono Friends meme card?

Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Kemono Friends” 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 Kemono Friends card?

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

Sources: Kemono Friends Breathes New Life into Japanese Zoos · Kemono Friends · Kemono Friends - Huh? Kaban-chan, you don't pant? · checked on October 13, 2026.

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