Maru, ©mugumogu
Maru when he was a kitten ©mugumogu
Remember the Japanese cat who has won millions of people’s hearts on YouTube with his silly antics and obsession for boxes? Maru, a perk-eared Scottish Fold, has become an internet meme and even appeared on Ellen DeGeneres’ show and various other TV shows in the US and many other countries. We have spoken to Maru and his hooman and got the inside scoop on Maru’s life.
When Maru first entered his home, he was only four months old, but he weighed over 5 lbs (2.4kg) already. Maru has always been a pudgy cat (now 5.5kg or 12.1lbs). The name “Maru” means “round” in Japanese, but according to Maru’s hooman, Mugumogu did not name him because of his round shape. The name was decided before Maru arrived. It is a short name and easy for the cat to understand.
Maru’s obsession with boxes started when he was a little kitten. He played with boxes and used them as beds. Maru is mischievous and loves to command attention. He will act silly on purpose in order to get people to notice him. Maru loves to play with water. Whenever Mugumogu is washing up in the bathroom, Maru will join in and swat the water with his little paws.
In November 2007, Maru decided to start his own blog to share his stories with the world. It was July, 2008 when Maru uploaded his first YouTube video. His videos became so popular that there was a whirlwind of Maru love sweeping through the Internet. More than 48,000 people have subscribed to Maru’s YouTube channel and more than 46 million views have been generated by cat lovers and Maru’s fans from all over the world. (Currently Maru does not have a Facebook page, you can follow Maru’s twitter @Maru_0524 and visit Maru at his blog or YouTube Channel)
Maru loves the sink ©mugumogu
Below interview is translated by Yuki Shirase. See interview in both Japanese and English here. Thanks Maru for the link back 
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Amy: How did you meet your family?
Maru: I was 4 months old when I moved here in September 2007. I don’t remember how I got here, but I was told that my hooman fell in love with me when saw me at first sight.
Amy: What kind of food do you like?
Maru: I usually eat both dry food and wet food. My favorite food is chicken and tuna.
Amy: What do you do everyday?
Maru: Sleep, eat, and play. My hooman always says that I live a life that everybody envies.
Amy: What’s your favorite toy?
Maru: I love to play with a feather wand or whatever my hooman attaches to the wand. I also play Hide and Seek with my hooman and then chase my hooman around.
Maru hiding in a bag ©mugumogu
Amy: Do you know you are famous on YouTube? What do you think about your fame on YouTube?
Maru: I don’t really know how famous I am, but my hooman sometimes tells me that “Everybody likes you, Maru.” I just don’t get it. I am always so busy sleeping, eating and playing everyday. My hooman says it is ok that I don’t understand as long as I am happy.
Amy: Do you like to play with other cats?
Maru: I have never played with other cats.
Amy: Why do you like boxes so much?
Maru: I don’t know why, but I can’t seem to stop going into a box when I see one. It just gets me so excited!
Amy: What else do you like besides boxes?
Maru: I love hanging out on top of a cat tree, by the window and in the bathroom.
Maru trying to nap in a bucket ©mugumogu
Amy: Do you prefer big boxes or small boxes?
Maru: When I nap I like a small box because it is snug and fits me just right. However, when I play, I prefer a huge one .
Amy: Do you often play in the backyard? How do you like it?
Maru: It’s getting warmer lately, so I get to play in the backyard more often . My hooman puts me on a harness when I go out, so I get really excited whenever I see the harness. I like sun bathing, sniffing the air and looking for bugs when I am outside, but I get scared when I see birds flying over me.
Amy: What would you like to say to your fans from all over the world?
Maru: Hello, I am Maru. Thank you for loving me.
Maru is turning 3 years old on May 24th this year. Maru even has his own book published. His book is available in many countries.
Maru loves toys ©mugumogu
Maru hiding in a laundry hamper ©mugumogu
There is no box that is too small for Maru ©mugumogu
Maru is excited that he can fit his body in this tiny cupboard ©mugumogu
Maru napping on the couch ©mugumogu
Maru has a very round face doesn't he? ©mugumogu
Maru's obsession with boxes ©mugumogu
Where is Maru's head? ©mugumogu
"My head is here. I hid it." ©mugumogu
"Check out my belly!" ©mugumogu
"I can fit my body into any boxes!" ©mugumogu
Maru exercising his claws ©mugumogu
"This box looks real good. I like." ©mugumogu
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I love you too MARU!!!
Oh my goodness!! Maru!!
We just love that silly Maru!
It must be fun to talk to Maru's "hooman!" He is so cute! We loves that sink picture!
Awwwwwwwwww!!!!!!! Maru you are so cute I wish I could snuggle you!!!!!!!
who can resist you?
No surprise that everyone wants to have you!You're cute and pudgy,Maru!
Maru is adorable!
Sniffie and the Florida Furkids
You cannot help but just fall in love with that face!! Love you Maru and if ever am in your area, I'll catnap you for sure!!!!
I wanna kiss maru's tummy, I do that to my cat whenever she sleeps on her back XD
Maru you are a good kitty with a happy heart. I love you!
My cat refers to me as his "hooman," too!
maru makes me smile every time i see him. love love love to maru.
Awwwwwwwww!!! What a great interview and brilliant pics of the lovely Maru!!
Me and Charlie love Maru and his sweet silliness!
Thank you for this – it's really brightened our Tuesday!
Take care
gahh these are the cutest maru pictures yet!!
What an adorable story and interview. I love MARU too………..he is so beautiful.
One of my very first internet stops of the day is to check in on Maru! I've been following him almost from the beginning. He fills me with warm fuzzies.
We love Maru. A goodlooking and very funny cat and the photo's on his blog are always very beautiful.
Indeed you are loved worldwide, Maru
I LOVE Maru…He is a gorgeous, silly kitty…He is too adorable!
Yes, it's definitely true that everybody loves Maru! He makes me happy. Thank you so much, Mugumogu, that you share his pictures and videos with us!
Yes, it's definitely true that everybody loves Maru! He makes me happy. Thank you so much, Mugumogu, that you share his videos and pictures with us!
Wowww! "Maru" so cute and lovely…..I wish I had one likeMaru….
Maru is my hero!!XD
I love Maru! I check his blog everyday for new pictures and videos. I have 2 cats at home but they’re not so funny and playful.
I have one cat that soaks under my bed and just does nothing. her name is Zoey. and then i have two cats that decide to do mid-air flips. they also can walk on two paws.
Love and hugs coming to you from Alabama (USA)!!
Oh that was a great interview, we love Maru and watch his videos all the time!!
maruuuuuuu!!!
It's everybody's favorite kitty! I want one just like him.
I really want to thank Maru's 'hooman' for her love and infinite time and attention for Maru , for her creativity in finding new things to please and stimulate him with , also for her photographic skills , but most of all I want to thank her deeply for the immense pleasure she gives me every day following her blog ! Thank you so very much Mugumogu !
My vet told me to never feed cats tuna. You may want to check that out. I believe can be harmful to them.
A lot of cat food you find at the store is made of tuna. Tuna is perfectly ok for cats to eat. Maybe some cats can't eat it because they have a sensitive stomach, but for most cats, tuna is a very healthy choice of food.
The problem isn’t the tuna so much as all the chemicals in the tuna.
Maru is adorable, as always. I want him so bad!
Maru you are a wonderful inspiration to cats and hoomans everywhere. We should all be so inclined to be curious and play every day. You are indeed a beautiful and well loved cat. On behalf of me and my household, thank you for brightening our days. Love, from Michigan.
I love your videos, Maru! You sure made my day with this interview and all the funny pictures. Thank you for being such a joy! <3
Nyaaaaa I love you MARU!!
You make me so happy <3
Очень хочу котенка от этого кота!! Уж очень у него нрав интересный!!
i loveMaru !he is adorable and so photogenic with the big fat cheeks!
This cat is so cute! >^..^<
Maru's hooman is a "he"?
I love this cats, I have watched the youtube videos many times and never got tired of them, I smile and laugh every time =) What a funny cat!
i love maru!! cho kawaii~
Maru looks so much like the LOLCats cat! I love his round face. Are the Japanese the most avid cat fans in the world, or do they just take great pictures of them? I thank them, nonetheless.