Maru (cat) facts for kids
Maru on the cover of his book from 2009
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| Other name(s) | Round |
|---|---|
| Species | Felis catus |
| Breed | Scottish straight |
| Sex | Male |
| Born | 24 May 2007 Japan |
| Died | 6 September 2025 (aged 18) |
| Years active | 2008–2025 |
| Known for | Internet celebrity cat |
Maru was a very special cat from Japan. He became a huge star on YouTube, known all over the world. People loved watching his funny videos. Maru's videos have been watched over 577 million times! He even held a Guinness World Records title for being the most-viewed animal on YouTube. Many people called him "the most famous cat on the internet."
Contents
Maru's Amazing Story
Maru's Early Life and YouTube Start
Maru was born on May 24, 2007. He was a Scottish straight cat. When he was about four months old, a kind Japanese woman adopted him. She was known online by the name "Mugomugo." She named him Maru, which means "round" in Japanese.
In 2008, Mugomugo started sharing videos of Maru on her YouTube channel. This was the beginning of his internet fame.
Maru's Cardboard Box Adventures
One of Maru's first big hit videos was posted in October 2008. It showed him trying to squeeze into a cardboard box. This video quickly became super popular! It has been watched over 19 million times.
Maru loved cardboard boxes more than anything! Many of his most famous videos showed him jumping into, squeezing into, or playing with all sorts of boxes. He also enjoyed playing with other toys and exploring.
Maru's Family: Hana and Miri
In June 2013, Maru got a new friend. A kitten named Hana joined the family. Maru and Hana became great pals and often appeared in videos together. They loved to play and cuddle.
Later, in November 2020, another kitten named Miri joined their home. Miri was rescued from a storm drain by a neighbor. Maru, Hana, and Miri formed a happy cat family.
Maru's Global Fame and Achievements
Maru's fame grew quickly beyond Japan. He was mentioned in big magazines like Entertainment Weekly. The New York Times also wrote about him in an article about pets in the media. His videos even appeared in commercials for different products in Japan.
By December 2011, Mugomugo's channel was one of the most subscribed channels in Japan. In March 2017, Maru achieved something amazing. He earned a Guinness World Records title! He was officially recognized as the most-viewed animal on YouTube. His videos have been watched over 577 million times in total.
Maru's Books and Media Appearances
Maru's huge popularity led to books being published about him! In September 2009, a book and DVD called I am Maru (Maru Desu) was released in Japan. It showed many of his cute moments.
A second book, titled More Maru, was released on August 31, 2011. This book also featured more of Maru's adventures. Both books were very popular among his fans.
Remembering Maru
Maru passed away on September 6, 2025. He had been unwell for several weeks before his passing. Maru brought joy and laughter to millions of people around the world with his playful spirit and love for boxes. He will always be remembered as a true internet celebrity.
See also
In Spanish: Maru para niños
- List of individual cats
- Grumpy Cat
- Lil Bub
- Nora (cat)
- Keyboard Cat
