Shailushai is a Smurf-like cat whose rise to online fame captured millions of people worldwide in 2023. This piece explores who created the image and why it resonated so broadly that year.
Who are the Smurfs
The Smurfs are small blue humanoid characters that originated in a comic world created by French artist Pierre Culliford, who went by the name Peyo. The first Smurf story appeared in 1958, and since then the characters have grown into a larger universe of graphic novels, animated series, feature films, and a wide array of video games. The Smurfs remain a lasting presence in popular culture, with new titles and adaptations continuing to appear and captivate audiences around the world.
Have you seen cartoons about the Smurfs?
Who invented the Smurf Cat?
The Smurf Cat image was created by American artist Nate Hallinan, known for his work on Marvel-based films. In September 2014, he introduced a blue-skinned, hairy creature and explained its backstory. His concept portrays a blend of two living systems: a mushroom-like camouflage that provides protection, paired with the mobility and foraging instincts of a Smurf. The resulting creature is elusive, shy, and quick to vanish at signs of danger, yet it emerges to hunt small prey and spread new spores that could seed future mushrooms. Hallinan christened the work Smurf Sighting.
Page from artist Nate Hallinan’s account on Artstation.com
Articles about memes
How Shailushai became popular
Memes often hitch a ride on funny images long after their initial posting. That happened with the Smurf Cat. It didn’t go viral until August 2023, when a video featuring the character circulated on TikTok. A Russian-speaking creator named ghojam1 posted the clip, drawing widespread attention. Many viewers initially believed the video showed the output of a neural network, though such AI systems were not as advanced in 2014 as they are today.
The clip racked up more than a million views, and ghojam1 followed with another video featuring the Smurf Cat set to the song We Live, We Love, We Lie by Alan Walker, where the creature received the name Shailushai. The name does not appear in any dictionary; it is thought to derive from a term meaning diaper or scoundrel in a playful, nonstandard way.
The Smurf Cat gained traction not only in Russia but also abroad. The English-speaking audience largely preserved the name Shailushai or simply Smurf Cat, without translating it.
Memes with Shailushai
Blue, calm, and a touch of aloofness—those are common vibes associated with Shailushai in memes.
There are even more playful and creative takes, with people drawing other animals in the Smurf Cat style.
Short fan animations featuring the Smurf Cat appeared online as fans kept sharing new scenes.
Musician Ernest Merkel even dedicated a song to Shailushai, adding another layer to the meme’s cultural footprint.
What Shailushai memes do you remember? Share your favorite images in the comments, and keep it light and friendly.
Have you seen memes about Shalushai before?