The year 2021 marked a significant shift in how we consumed "cat videos." During the tail end of global lockdowns, viewers sought out "comfy" or "healing" content (often referred to in Japan as "iyashi"). Makoto Oya’s videos provided a sensory escape. His 2021 uploads often featured ASMR elements—the soft sound of kibble hitting a ceramic bowl, the rhythmic purring of a cat in high-definition audio, and the gentle rustle of tatami mats. Legacy and Influence
Here is an essay exploring that phenomenon. Makoto Oya Cat Videos 2021