Nyan Cat Survives 1 Year as an Internet Sensation

April 5th, 2012

FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda

Nyan Cat, the Internet’s favorite 8-bit animated feline, turns one year old today after surviving a whirlwind 12 months as a Pop-Tart-shaped viral sensation.

Illustrator Chris Torres introduced Nyan Cat to the masses on April 5, 2011, when he uploaded a video of it to YouTube. The clip has amassed 69 million views and spawned a slew of remixes, products and video games. Torres initially unleashed Nyan Cat to a smaller audience via his website LOL-Comics on April 2 of last year.

Torres and fans are celebrating in New York City with a birthday party hosted by 21st Street Games, which recently released Nyan Cat Adventure for iOS. The party will be livestreamed starting at 4:30 p.m. ET.

The popular Non-Stop Nyan Cat website showcases Nyan Cat wearing a party hat (see above). The homepage lets fans wish the Internet sensation a happy birthday.

We threw some questions at Torres to find out more about the long-lasting meme he created.

QA With Nyan Cat Creator Chris Torres

Mashable: Has the success of your creation exceeded your wildest dreams?

Torres: Nyan Cat has transformed into this viral entity that has surpassed not only everything I originally expected for my art but for memes in general. It’s gained its own amazing subculture with incredibly creative fans, and it’s already reaching 70 million views on YouTube. I originally only wanted to make Nyan Cat for a Twitter avatar for myself, but I’m so excited and happy that people all over the world are enjoying it, too.

Mashable: If Nyan Cat could make friends, what memes would it befriend?

Torres: Hands down, Keyboard Cat would be Nyan Cat’s best friend. They both have similar startups and Keyboard Cat plays one mean keyboard.

I could also see Nyan Cat being friends with the original Hamster Dance meme, since they share very similar traits — animated GIFs paired with insanely addictive music.

Mashable: What is Nyan Cat saying? And will its vocabulary ever expand?

Torres: Nyan Cat’s language has still not been able to be translated yet, so it is difficult to say. However, it has picked up a few American words such as ‘love’ and ‘happy,’ which leads me to believe everything Nyan Cat says is done so I spread joy to the universe.

Mashable: So many products have been created around Nyan Cat. Are you making money?

Torres: It’s really hard to say how Nyan Cat is doing financially, but I’m very grateful for all of the support it’s getting. When I originally created the art, it was for an American Red Cross charity, and I feel that it’s now my calling to continue helping people around the world with the worldwide attention it’s gained. Last year, Nyan Cat was able to help organizations such as The American Red Cross, Child’s Play and Doctors Without Borders. I will definitely continue helping those in need for as long as Nyan Cat sails the skies.

Mashable: What have been your favorite Nyan Cat moments so far?

Torres: Oh man, there are seriously too many to choose from. I think the clear winner though is teaming up with 21st Street Games. These wonderful people created the other successful game, Techno Kitten Adventure, and are now working with me on a new game called Nyan Cat Adventure, which was recently released for iOS and Xbox Live Indie Arcade. This week, they flew me out to their headquarters and we’ve been partying all day to celebrate Nyan Cat’s first birthday. I am extremely grateful for how awesome they’ve been to me.

BONUS: 3D Printer Brings Internet Memes Into the Real World

Did you know you can infuse your offline world with 3D versions of Nyan Cat and other memes? Yup, all thanks to the folks at Shapeways and its 3D printing technology.