It seems like every month the internet finds a new strange little guy to hyperfixate on, and this month's beloved critter is perhaps my favourite yet. Meet Jimothy, the wild raccoon that's taking over the streets of Seattle thanks to his unusual yet adorable appearance.
Since gaining traction online, Jimothy has developed a massive fanbase all around the world, each with a unique way of showing their love. From character design fan art to full-scale puppets, it's safe to say that this funky-looking raccoon has inspired a whole community of creatives, proving that the internet can still be wholesome (sometimes).
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Jimothy first hobbled onto the scene after Seattle resident Kiana Hall shared a video of him on Instagram, where thousands of fans began sharing their love for the dinky raccoon. You might notice Jimothy looks a little different to regular raccoons, which experts suggest could be caused by a spine deformity called short spine syndrome. Despite this, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has discouraged folks from interacting with Jimothy, claiming that he's 100% healthy otherwise – so how could they show their love?
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Soon, the internet was flooded with Jimothy fan art, from adorable illustrations to tattoos and models. The art ranges from wholesome little balls of fluff to strange cryptid-esque artwork. Who knew a little raccoon that eats out of the garbage would be the perfect character study?
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Others took a more unconventional approach to paying homage to Jimothy, such as Seattle Glassblowing Studio, which created an intricate handblown replica of the lil' fella.
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As a banjo fan, I might be biased, but my favourite Jimothy-inspired creation has to be from artist Phoebe Sanders. To spice up her performances, she creates "Pebbies" – handcrafted puppets which dance along to her playing – so of course she had to make a life-size Jimothy too.
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For more community creativity, check out this fan-made movie poster trend that broke cinema's creative rut or take a look at the 10 ways to make your fan art feel fresh and original.
