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“Leekspin” meme: meaning, origin and common card

Leekspin, also known as Loituma Girl, is a viral Flash animation featuring Orihime Inoue from *Bleach* spinning a leek to an excerpt of "Ievan Polkka." This purely absurd and hypnotic meme marked an early era of internet culture with its repetitive loops.

MyMemeCards editorial teamPublished 7 min read
Leekspin meme
The “Leekspin” meme

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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Leekspin” is a common card of the Memes World series 77, number 22883 of the collection, and the 64th best-known meme of its 139 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.

What does the “Leekspin” meme mean?

The meme carries no specific narrative or political meaning. Its impact relies on voluntary absurdity and a hypnotic effect created by the endless repetition of the image synced with Finnish vocals. It serves primarily as a distraction tool, often used as a "shock site" gag to surprise viewers through the contrast between Japanese anime aesthetics and traditional Scandinavian music.

Where does the “Leekspin” meme come from?

The animation originates from episode 2 of the anime *Bleach*, titled "A Shinigami’s Work," aired in 2004. Russian LiveJournal user g_r_e_e_n synchronized this scene with a vocal excerpt of "Ievan Polkka" by the band Loituma, publishing it on April 23, 2006. The name "Leekspin" comes from an independent website launched on May 6, 2006, which facilitated its spread in the Anglophone web. The initial platform was the Russian-speaking community of LiveJournal.

  1. 2004Broadcast of the original *Bleach* episode containing the source scene.
  2. April 23, 2006Publication of the synchronized Flash animation by g_r_e_e_n on LiveJournal.
  3. May 6, 2006Launch of the LEEKSPIN website promoting international virality.

How to use the “Leekspin” meme

  • Share the looping animation to create a surreal atmosphere during online chats.
  • Use the image of Orihime with the leek to illustrate a moment of absolute distraction or empty fascination.
  • Reference "Loituma Girl" as a major historical milestone for early absurd internet memes.

Also searched as

  • Loituma Girl
  • Leek Spin
  • Orihime leek spin
  • Ievan Polkka meme
  • leekspin meme meaning
  • loituma girl who is she
  • leekspin origin anime
  • ievans polkka leekspin
  • g_r_e_e_n livejournal leekspin
  • bleach episode 2 leekspin

The “Leekspin” card in MyMemeCards

Leekspin card
NumberNo. 22883
RarityCommon
CollectionMemes World series 77
Fame50/100 · #64 of 139
Recycle value5 MemeCoins (15 in Shiny)
Suggested by@zamazora
Rarities of the Memes World series 77: 139 cards
  • Common4734%
  • Rare3626%
  • Epic3827%
  • Legendary1410%
  • Mythic42.9%

How to get the “Leekspin” card

Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Leekspin comes out of the Memes World series 77 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

Memes like “Leekspin”

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Frequently asked questions

Who is the girl spinning a leek?

It is Orihime Inoue, a character from the anime *Bleach*. This image became famous as Loituma Girl thanks to a viral Flash animation.

What does Leekspin mean?

The term refers to the action of spinning a leek in the animation. The meme has no deep meaning; it relies on absurdity and visual hypnosis.

Where does the song Ievan Polkka come from?

It is a Finnish folk song popularized by the band Loituma. The excerpt used in the meme is an acapella version without lyrics.

Is it really Orihime?

Yes, the original image comes from *Bleach*. However, the leek scene is an artistic creation added via Flash animation by a user in 2006.

How do I get the Leekspin meme card?

Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Leekspin” is a common card of the Memes World series 77. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.

How rare is the Leekspin card?

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

Sources: knowyourmeme.com · memes · leekspin-loituma-girlLeekspin / Loituma Girl - Know Your Meme · Leekspin (Loituma Girl): Origin, Meaning & Spread · Leekspin: History & Desktop Nostalgia | WebAfterlife · checked on October 31, 2026.

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