Maru the cat is an internet sensation who started off on YouTube in 2007. He is a rather large pure bread Scottish Fold with a knack for entertainment. He lives in Japan with his owner who remains anonymous, never appearing or even speaking on any of the videos that have been released.
The fame of Maru the cat has continued to grow as his playing in boxes and bags captured the attention of the masses. He is no longer even limited to the internet. He has been recognized both in print and on television as one of the most famous characters in internet culture. He has also expanded his empire of popularity beyond just the internet. He has a book published in both English and Japanese as well as a DVD. There is also another DVD released only in Japanese.
The real point to the Maru the cat story is that anyone can become famous on the internet. All you have to do is catch the attention of the masses. Once that happens, word spreads fast. In the case of Maru, the angle was cute but other ideas such as humor or information can work just as well. The internet is a powerful thing.