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| Meet Jimothy / Photo Credit: Kiana Hall |
Meet Jimothy: Seattle’s Unusually Shaped Raccoon Becomes an Internet Sensation
By Digital Staff Reporter
iSkyNews.com (ISN) – Published August 28th, 2026
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SEATTLE, Wash. — Seattle has plenty of famous residents, but one of its newest celebrities walks on four legs, digs through garbage and probably has absolutely no idea that millions of people know his name.
Meet Jimothy.
The unusually shaped raccoon has become an internet sensation after he was spotted roaming around Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood earlier this summer.
It all started when Seattle resident Kiana Hall spotted the raccoon near the Ballard Goodwill. Jimothy immediately stood out because, well, he doesn’t exactly look like your average raccoon.
Hall pulled out her phone and recorded him as he emerged from underneath a vehicle, crossed a grassy area and headed up some stairs.
She later posted the short video online and gave him a name that has since become almost impossible to forget: Jimothy.
Why Jimothy?
According to Hall, he simply looked like a Jimothy.
Apparently, the internet agreed.
The video took off, millions of people watched it and suddenly a random raccoon wandering around Seattle had a fan base.
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| Jimothy, an unusually shaped raccoon spotted in Seattle, has become an internet celebrity, inspiring memes, artwork and even a companion pet in World of Warcraft. |
So, Why Does Jimothy Look Like That?
Jimothy has a noticeably different body shape than most raccoons. His body is short and rounded, his neck barely appears visible and his legs look unusually long compared with the rest of him.
Veterinary experts who have reviewed videos of Jimothy believe he could have been born with a spinal abnormality similar to short spine syndrome, although there’s no confirmed diagnosis.
Whatever is going on with his unusual appearance, it doesn’t seem to be slowing him down very much.
Jimothy has been seen walking around neighborhoods, climbing and doing the usual things raccoons do.
Experts have described him as active and surprisingly agile.
And because he is still a wild animal, wildlife experts are asking Jimothy’s growing number of fans to admire him from a distance. That means no chasing him down for selfies, trying to pick him up or leaving food out for him.
Jimothy may be famous, but he’s still a raccoon.
Seattle Goes All-In on Jimothy
Once the internet discovered Jimothy, things escalated quickly.
There have been Jimothy memes.
Then came Jimothy artwork.
Then merchandise.
Then tattoos.
Someone painted a mural of him.
Someone else made a video game about him.
At this point, Jimothy has a more impressive media portfolio than some actual celebrities.
His popularity has also been used for something good. Local businesses and supporters have used Jimothy-themed merchandise and events to help raise money for the Ballard Food Bank.
But Seattle wasn’t finished.
Jimothy Goes to the Ballpark
The Seattle Mariners eventually got involved and introduced a Jimothy character into the team’s famous Salmon Run at T-Mobile Park.
Yes, a raccoon joined a salmon race.
And yes, Jimothy won.
His celebrity status continued growing from there, with fans bringing Jimothy signs to sporting events and artists creating their own interpretations of Seattle’s newest furry icon.
Jimothy artwork was even selected for display at Seattle City Hall.
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson also recognized Jimothy as a “Washingtonian of the Day.”
Not bad for a raccoon who was basically just trying to go about his day when somebody pulled out a cellphone.
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| J’imothy, the World of Warcraft companion inspired by Seattle’s viral raccoon Jimothy, follows a player character in Azeroth. Photo: Ciara Perez / iSkyNews.com |
And Now Jimothy Is in World of Warcraft
This might be one of the strangest chapters in the Jimothy story yet.
His fame has officially escaped the real world.
World of Warcraft has added its own version of Jimothy to the game.
The virtual version is appropriately named J’imothy, and players can acquire the little raccoon as a companion pet.
Players can find J’imothy in Silvermoon City, where he has managed to get himself trapped behind an arcane barrier.
Because apparently even in a fantasy world filled with dragons, demons and ancient magic, Jimothy still finds a way to get himself into trouble.
Players who help free him can receive a Stubby Whistle, allowing J’imothy to become their companion and follow them around Azeroth.
And that brings this story surprisingly close to home for us.
Our very own iSkyNews.com Senior Media Correspondent Ciara Perez, a self-described World of Warcraft addict, officially acquired her J’imothy pet Friday.
Yes, we can now confirm that iSkyNews has a Jimothy.
He currently has no reporting responsibilities.
From a Seattle Raccoon to an Internet Icon
The funniest part of Jimothy’s story might be that none of this was planned.
He was simply a strange-looking raccoon wandering around Seattle.
Then somebody recorded him.
The internet fell in love with him, and within weeks there were murals, memes, merchandise, baseball appearances, artwork and eventually a digital version of him running around one of the biggest video games in the world.
Through all of it, the real Jimothy appears to still be out there doing what he was doing before anyone knew his name: living his life as a wild raccoon.
If you happen to spot him, wildlife experts say the best thing to do is give him some space and enjoy the encounter from a distance.
After all, Jimothy doesn't know he's famous.
He's probably just wondering where everybody keeps their garbage.
From Seattle to Azeroth, Jimothy's wonderfully weird journey continues. 🦝
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