Kabosu, Iconic Face of Dogecoin and Internet Meme Culture, Dies Peacefully
Kabosu, the beloved Shiba Inu who became the face of the iconic “Doge” meme and the Dogecoin cryptocurrency, passed away peacefully on May 24 at the age of 17.
Her owner, Atsuko Sato, shared the news in a heartfelt blog post, expressing her gratitude for the immense love and support Kabosu received throughout her life. Sato announced a farewell party for “Kabo-chan” on May 26 at Flower Kaori in Kotsu no Mori, Narita City.
The news of Kabosu’s passing has deeply touched the crypto community and fans worldwide, who have shared tributes and fond memories of the internet sensation. Kabosu’s legacy as a symbol of community spirit and a driving force behind Dogecoin’s popularity will continue to inspire future generations of meme culture.
Kabosu’s rise to fame began in 2010 when Sato posted photos of her newly adopted dog on her personal blog. One particular image of Kabosu, showcasing a quizzical and endearing expression, quickly captured the internet’s attention and spawned the viral “Doge” meme. This meme, characterized by its distinctive Comic Sans font and quirky phrases in broken English, became a cornerstone of online humor and culture.
The meme’s popularity soared to new heights in 2013 with the creation of Dogecoin, which adopted Kabosu’s image as its official logo. Despite its initial conception as a lighthearted joke, Dogecoin evolved into a prominent cryptocurrency and a catalyst for various charitable endeavors, such as funding clean water initiatives and supporting the Jamaican bobsled team.
In December 2022, Sato announced that Kabosu was facing a ‘dangerous’ health condition, leading to an outpouring of support from the crypto community. Dogecoin co-creator Billy Markus, known online as Shibetoshi Nakamoto, rallied his followers to offer help, and one X user even generously offered to cover all necessary expenses to ensure she received the best possible care.
Influence has transcended the realm of internet culture and permeated even political campaigns. The United States President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign, for example, announced the hiring of a “master of memes” to manage relationships with digital media companies, podcasts, and various meme pages across social media platforms.
His passing marks the end of an era in internet culture, but his spirit lives on in the countless memes he inspired and the enduring legacy of Dogecoin.
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