What is the Blue Smurf Cat Meme on TikTok? Viral trend explained

Smurf cats are rapidly gaining popularity on TikTok, the platform known for giving rise to viral trends that capture the internet’s attention for a brief period before fading into obscurity. However, the latest trend isn’t entirely novel; it has been in existence for nearly a decade but recently experienced a surge in popularity. This trend revolves around a blue cat-like character named Shailushai, often accompanied by Alan Walker’s “The Spectre” and a Russian hashtag, #шайлушай.

Blue Smurf Cat Meme TikTok
(Image via X/@traderpow, @CrippledPasta, @FurryObst)

What is the Blue Smurf Cat Meme on TikTok?

The concept of the blue smurf cat was first conceived in 2014 by artist Nate Hallinan, who wondered about the appearance of these blue creatures if they were real. Now, the blue smurf cat has taken the internet by storm. While it initially gained traction on TikTok, it has since spread to other platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and X. A quick scroll through these platforms’ feeds and comment sections reveals the endearing blue cat-like creature, distinguished by its captivating black beady eyes. This trend has even found its way into popular games like Roblox and Minecraft. However, some users have expressed their frustration, as their feeds have become inundated with these creatures, and others have called on TikTok to put an end to the trend.

As mentioned previously, the blue character, known as Shailushai or шайлушай, is almost always accompanied by Alan Walker’s “The Spectre.” The song effectively conveys the emotions associated with Shailushai, encapsulated by the lyrics, “We live. We love. We lie.” The surge in the trend’s popularity is noteworthy, with hashtags like #smurfcat and #шайлушай amassing impressive view counts of over 691.9 million and 443.1 million, respectively.

YouTube video

This entity precisely resembles a diminutive blue smurf with cat-like facial features, wearing a mushroom as a hat. The imagery often depicts the creature gracefully descending from a tree while carrying a deceased snail, proudly displayed as the trophy of a successful hunt. As mentioned earlier, this character originated in 2014 when artist Nate Hallinan contemplated the hypothetical existence of these miniature blue beings. Nate Hallinan’s official website provides an intricate and detailed explanation of the fictional creature’s biology. According to the website, these creatures result from a symbiotic relationship between two organisms. It is explained that they place their “embryos in the button of a developing mushroom.” While it may appear that the creature is dressed in a hat and pants, this is not the case. The website further clarifies that “The fungus provides camouflage and protective epidermal layers for the creature, while the creature provides nutrients and mobility for the spreading of spores.”

YouTube video

The website further elaborates that these entities function as hunter-gatherers, and the portrayal of the small blue character in the image signifies a triumphant return from a successful foray. The website underscores the difficulty in spotting these smurf-like beings due to their craftiness and cautious behavior. Regrettably, the website mentions that there is a scarcity of these creatures today, primarily because they are pursued for their alleged medicinal properties. Nonetheless, it is crucial to emphasize that this creature is purely a product of fiction and does not have any real-world existence.