ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Jimothy the Round Raccoon Becomes Viral Internet Icon

other · 2026-07-26

Jimothy, a raccoon with a rare condition called short spine syndrome, has become a viral internet sensation. The round-bodied creature, suspected to be male, was named by Seattle resident Kiana Hall, who posted a video of him on Instagram and spontaneously dubbed him 'Jimothy.' The raccoon's deformity gives him a cartoonish, Pokémon-like appearance that has captivated social media users. Jimothy's fame has grown to the point where brands like Budweiser and NASA have acknowledged him, and he has appeared in Minecraft, World of Warcraft, and as an official Dungeons & Dragons NPC with special abilities. Google has also added a hidden Easter egg for him. Jimothy follows other viral animals like Moo Deng the pygmy hippo and Punch the monkey, but his unconventional cuteness marks a shift in online trends. His body, though not optimized for survival, perfectly invokes human empathy. The Jimothy fandom continues to spread, with fans hoping he remains undisturbed by his celebrity status.

Key facts

  • Jimothy is a raccoon with short spine syndrome, a rare deformity causing a round body and short limbs.
  • He was named by Seattle resident Kiana Hall, who posted a video on Instagram.
  • Jimothy has been compared to a cryptid like a friendlier chupacabra.
  • He has been acknowledged by Budweiser and NASA on social media.
  • Jimothy appears in Minecraft, World of Warcraft, and as a Dungeons & Dragons NPC.
  • Google has a hidden Easter egg for Jimothy searches.
  • He follows viral animals Moo Deng and Punch the monkey.
  • Jimothy's body echoes kawaii aesthetics with its compressed, round shape.

Entities

Artists

  • Kiana Hall

Institutions

  • Budweiser
  • NASA
  • Minecraft
  • World of Warcraft
  • Dungeons & Dragons
  • Google
  • Instagram
  • X (Twitter)

Locations

  • Seattle
  • United States

Sources