Nyanyanyanyanyanyanya

2010viral videoclassic

Nyanyanyanyanyanyanya is a highly repetitive Vocaloid song created by Japanese producer daniwellP in 2010, featuring Hatsune Miku singing "nya" (the Japanese word for meow) on loop. The track later served as the audio foundation for the viral Nyan Cat meme when combined with PRguitarman's Pop Tart Cat animation in April 2011.

Overview

Nyanyanyanyanyanyanya is a looping Vocaloid song built entirely around the Japanese onomatopoeia "nya," which means "meow." The track features the vocal synthesizer Hatsune Miku repeating the syllable over an upbeat electronic melody, creating a hypnotic and deliberately addictive listening experience1. The song's title is simply the word "nya" repeated multiple times, reflecting its minimalist concept.

The format inspired countless derivative videos on Nico Nico Douga featuring various anime characters swaying or bobbing to the beat2. These remixes often incorporated characters from franchises like Touhou Project and Idol Master, spawning MAD videos and MikuMikuDance choreography that became their own sub-genre within Japanese internet culture2. The word "nya" carries a specific connotation of cuteness in Japanese, making it popular among Nico Nico Douga users and a natural fit for the playful, repetitive format2.

How It Spread

The song spread rapidly within the Nico Nico Douga ecosystem after its 2010 debut. On October 18, 2010, NND user uniql posted a remix titled "NEKOMATAGI REMIX" featuring a female anime character, and the following day, daniwellP responded with their own reaction video2. The format became a template for user-generated content, with live karaoke versions called "Utatte Mita" (I tried singing it) and instrumental covers known as "Hiite Mita" (I tried playing it) appearing across the platform2.

Nyanyanyanyanyanyanya achieved international fame on April 5, 2011, when YouTuber saraj00n uploaded a video titled "Nyan Cat"5. The video combined the Momone Momo version of the song with an animated GIF of a cat with a Pop Tart body flying through space, created by comic artist PRguitarman on April 2, 20115. The Nyan Cat video gained over one million views in its first two weeks and ranked number five on the list of most viewed YouTube videos of 20116.

The viral success brought widespread attention to both the original song and the Japanese Vocaloid community that created it. An EXIT TUNES compilation album titled "Nyan Cat" was released featuring both Miku and Momo's versions of the track4. Momone Momo, previously obscure outside the UTAU fandom, became widely known in the West specifically because of her association with the Nyan Cat phenomenon4.

How to Use This Meme

The Nyanyanyanyanyanyanya format typically involves creating a looping video of an anime character or mascot swaying or bobbing to the song's beat. Creators often add visual elements like the word "nya" popping up in the background or objects floating across the screen in rhythm with the music. The format works best when the animation loops seamlessly and matches the repetitive nature of the audio.

Frequently Asked Questions