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“Longcat” meme: meaning, origin and mythic card

Longcat is an early internet meme featuring a white Japanese cat held up to show its extreme length.

MyMemeCards editorial teamPublished 7 min read
Longcat meme
The “Longcat” meme, 2005

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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Longcat” is a mythic card of the Memes World series 77, number 22848 of the collection, and the 3rd best-known meme of its 141 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.

What does the “Longcat” meme mean?

The meme relies on visual absurdity and exaggeration. It expresses humor through the impossible stretching of a domestic animal. Users share it to convey a sense of wonder or ridiculousness. It also serves as a shorthand for anything extending beyond normal limits. The tone is playful and detached from serious context.

Where does the “Longcat” meme come from?

The original photograph features a white Japanese cat named Shiroi or Nobiko, lifted by an unknown person. It likely originated on the Japanese forum Futaba Channel (2chan) between 2004 and 2005. The exact author and date remain unverified. The term Longcat gained traction on 4chan, where the image was widely shared. The catchphrase "Longcat is long" became iconic. Derivative works like Catnarok expanded the meme’s lore.

How to use the “Longcat” meme

  • Share the image when describing something that seems endless or excessive.
  • Use the phrase "Longcat is long" to joke about a prolonged situation.
  • Include the visual in a collage to emphasize a funny distortion.

Also searched as

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  • Nobīru-tan
  • Longcat is loooooong
  • longcat meme
  • longcat meaning
  • what does longcat mean
  • longcat origin
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  • white cat meme 2005

The “Longcat” card in MyMemeCards

Longcat card
NumberNo. 22848
RarityMythic
CollectionMemes World series 77
Fame88/100 · #3 of 141
Recycle value80 MemeCoins (240 in Shiny)
Rarities of the Memes World series 77: 141 cards
  • Common4733%
  • Rare3726%
  • Epic3928%
  • Legendary149.9%
  • Mythic42.8%

How to get the “Longcat” card

Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Longcat comes out of the Memes World series 77 as a mythic 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 80 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 “Longcat”

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Frequently asked questions

Who is Longcat?

Longcat is a white Japanese cat named Shiroi or Nobiko. The photo shows him stretched vertically for comedic effect. His owner's identity is not publicly known.

What does Longcat mean?

It refers to a meme based on a photo of an unusually long cat. The humor comes from the visual exaggeration. The associated text usually repeats the word "long" multiple times.

Where did Longcat originate?

The image likely started on the Japanese site Futaba Channel (2chan) around 2004-2005. It spread to 4chan under the name Longcat. The exact source of the photo is lost to history.

How do I get the Longcat meme card?

Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Longcat” is a mythic 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 Longcat card?

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

Sources: Longcat, Extended Cat Image Meme | Meme Wiki · Longcat · Longcat meaning · checked on October 29, 2026.

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