Our new weekly video series Meet the Record Breakers – Japan Tour shines a spotlight on some of the most incredible world record holders from the nation.
This week we go behind-the-scenes into the life of one of the most famous pets on the planet.
Maru – better known by his video moniker “Mugumogu” – has achieved a Guinness World Records title for having the Most views for an animal on YouTube.
As of 22 September 2016, the nine-year-old Scottish fold cat had been watched a staggering total of 325,704,506 times.
Since posting his first video in 2008, the mischievous feline has won the public over thanks to his love of cardboard boxes and his living room swing.
Maru (which means "Round" in Japanese) now has over half a million subscribers, but “despite his fame, remains as aloof and as chilled out as ever,” says his owner.
The media monitor Social Blade lists Mugumogu as the 14th most viewed animal channel on YouTube, and the most watched for an individual animal.
Maru’s owner was originally shocked by all the attention they started receiving, but puts Maru’s success down to his cuteness and says that they love the positive comments on YouTube.
While Maru has the most views, the record for the Most subscribers for an animal on YouTube is held by Mishka the Talking Dog, with 811,928 subscribers as of 20 July 2016.
Mishka, which means "Teddy Bear" in Russian, is a Siberian husky born on 16 June 2002. She is famed for her ability to "talk" and say phrases such as "I love you" and "I'm hungry". She lives with her owner Matt Gardea in New Jersey, USA.
For more adorable Maru action, visit his YouTube channel.
