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“Untan” meme: meaning, origin and common card

"Untan" is an onomatopoeia from the anime K-On!

MyMemeCards editorial teamPublished 7 min read
Untan meme
The “Untan” meme, 2009

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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Untan” is a common card of the Memes World series 73, number 21802 of the collection, and the 187th 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 “Untan” meme mean?

This term expresses cute charm (moe) and joyful lightness. It captures the moment the main character dances innocently while making this rhythmic noise. Users employ it to evoke a kawaii atmosphere, humor, or nostalgia linked to this iconic animation scene.

Where does the “Untan” meme come from?

The phenomenon began on April 3, 2009, during the broadcast of the first episode of K-On!'s first season in Japan. It features Yui Hirasawa, the heroine, playing castanets while dancing adorably. "Untan" is an onomatopoeia replicating this clicking sound. Voice actress Aki Toyosaki reportedly revealed in a TV interview that this line was improvised, though details of this exchange remain unknown. Soon after, the sequence went viral on Nico Nico Douga. Hundreds of MAD videos and fan arts exploited this easily syncable audio motif, transforming this simple noise into a major cultural emblem of the series.

  1. April 3, 2009Broadcast of the first episode of K-On! featuring the castanet scene.

How to use the “Untan” meme

  • Use this reference to illustrate a situation where someone displays endearing naivety.
  • Employ it in a comment to highlight the irresistibly cute nature of a video or character.
  • Use it as a hashtag or tag in artistic creations inspired by Japanese kawaii aesthetics.

Also searched as

  • うんたん
  • Untan K-On
  • castanets K-On
  • untan meaning
  • untan k-on origin
  • untan meme explanation
  • untan nico nico douga

The “Untan” card in MyMemeCards

Untan card
NumberNo. 21802
RarityCommon
CollectionMemes World series 73
Fame63/100 · #187 of 300
Recycle value5 MemeCoins (15 in Shiny)
Rarities of the Memes World series 73: 300 cards
  • Common20167%
  • Rare9933%

How to get the “Untan” card

Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Untan comes out of the Memes World series 73 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 “Untan”

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Frequently asked questions

What does Untan mean?

It is a Japanese onomatopoeia mimicking castanet sounds, made famous by the anime series K-On!

Who said Untan?

It is the character Yui Hirasawa who says this sound while playing castanets in the first season.

Where does the Untan meme come from?

It originates from a specific scene in the first episode aired in 2009, which went viral on Nico Nico Douga.

How do I get the Untan meme card?

Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Untan” is a common card of the Memes World series 73. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.

How rare is the Untan card?

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

Sources: Untan · K-On! · けいおん部!へようこそにゃん?けいおん!の名言 - あなたを変える名言の森 · checked on October 15, 2026.

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