Out of the 13 cats he targeted, nine died from shock and severe injuries.
These videos function as a form of digital "Ma"—the Japanese concept of negative space. In the silences between the purrs and the subtle rustle of paws on carpet, Oya creates a void that the viewer is compelled to fill with their own quietude. In a modern world defined by the anxiety of constant notification and the tyranny of productivity, the cat in Oya’s videos offers a masterclass in the art of simply being . The cat does not worry about the future; it does not regret the past. It is entirely, fiercely present in the patch of sunlight on a Tuesday afternoon. Makoto Oya Cat Videos
Oya documented these torture sessions using a digital camera and uploaded the graphic footage anonymously to an underground video-sharing platform. The videos circulated within niche internet communities before being noticed by animal welfare advocates. A member of the public flag-reported the graphic content to local authorities, allowing Tokyo police to trace the digital footprint back to Oya's residence. Out of the 13 cats he targeted, nine