Neko, the software cat that chases your cursor, has a surprisingly deep history. The original was written in the 1980s for Japan's NEC PC-9801. Its iconic pixel art, designed by Kenji Gotoh, was declared public domain and became the foundation for countless ports.

The cat's journey spans decades and platforms. IBM officially bundled a version for OS/2 in 1991 after licensing the art from Gotoh. Later ports include `xneko` for X Window System, `oneko` for Linux, and a 2004 JavaScript version, ensuring its survival on the modern web.

Today, Neko lives on through community archives and GitHub repositories. It represents a unique piece of computing folklore—a playful digital pet that outlived its original hardware. The project's longevity highlights the enduring charm of simple, whimsical software.