Momo: Difference between revisions

'''''Momo''''' was a [[:Category:Characters|character]] commonly associated with a [[creepypasta]].

''Momo'' was not a fictional creation but an actual sculpture originally called Mother Bird. The sculpture was portrayed as a humanoid bird hybrid, featuring human-like breasts, a beak-shaped mouth, and haunting bulging eyes. The initial appearance of this sculpture on Instagram can be traced back to user ''nanaakooo'',<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/BJiFgx1BbS9/?taken-by=nanaakooo</ref> who shared images when it was exhibited at the Vanilla Gallery in [[wikipedia:Tokyo, Japan|Tokyo, Japan]].<ref>https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/what-is-momo-challenge-800470/</ref>

The artist initially associated with the creation of Momo, Midori Hayashi, denied any involvement or claim to the sculpture. After an extensive research, the true author of the sculpture was attributed to Keisuke Aiso, who worked for the special effects company Link Factory.  

Due to the controversy surrounding the character itself (for more, see below), the creator Keisuke Aiso throw away the statue and said that "''It doesn’t exist anymore, it was never meant to last. It was rotten and I threw it away. “The children can be reassured Momo is dead - she doesn’t exist and the curse is gone.''"<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20190304084618/https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8551299/momo-dead-suicide-challenge-game-statue-killed/</ref>

''Momo'' has evolved into an urban legend within the Spanish community, notably associated with multiple phone numbers on ''[[wikipedia:WhatsApp|WhatsApp]]''. The [[YouTube]] commentator ReignBot extensively explored this urban legend, delving into the investigation of phone numbers linked to the Momo phenomenon. Over time, the narrative went even ''far'' as it became connected to the tragic suicide of a 12-year-old girl in [[wikipedia:Buenos Aires, Argentina|Buenos Aires]], Argentina, purportedly influenced by the so-called "Momo Game."<ref>http://www.batimes.com.ar/news/argentina/police-suspect-12-year-old-girls-suicide-linked-to-whatsapp-terror-game-momo.phtml</ref> This internet phenomenon has sparked discussions among commentators, alleging that it encourages self-harm among children. The Momo Challenge has been compared to the infamous [[wikipedia:Blue Whale Challenge|Blue Whale Challenge]], involving a format where someone posing as ''Momo'' instructs victims to carry out a series of tasks, with refusal met by malicious intent (see more in ''Appearance'' section).<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20180821012325/http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2018/08/02/sinister-momo-suicide-challenge-sparks-fear-as-it-spreads-on-whatsapp.html</ref> However, it is crucial to note that there is no concrete evidence linking the Momo Challenge directly to real cases of suicide. Instances of self-harm are often attributed to underlying mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

Several incidents, including the suicide of a 10th-grade girl expressing discouragement with grades, a Madras engineering student,<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20180905103725/https://www.thestatesman.com/cities/engineering-student-commits-suicide-was-playing-momo-challenge-1502680333.html</ref> and a drug overdose case of an 11-year-old boy from the ''[[wikipedia:Philippines|Philippines]]'',<ref>https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/27/19/online-challenge-tinitingnan-sa-kaso-ng-batang-namatay-sa-overdose</ref> have been loosely associated with the Momo Challenge. Authorities, however, have not confirmed the challenge's direct role in these cases. Doubt surrounds the belief that real harm has occurred, with suggestions that internet trolls exploit these challenges to torment vulnerable individuals rather than being authentic social media challenges.<ref>https://www.snopes.com/news/2019/02/26/momo-challenge-suicide-game/</ref>

===Appearance===

While establishing itself as an internet phenomenon, ''Momo'' has made [[screamer]]-like appearances in various random [[videos]], most notably within children's cartoon [[wikipedia:Peppa Pig|''Peppa Pig'']] content.<ref>https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/momo-challenge-youtube-fortnite-peppa-pig-video-parents-a8799776.html</ref> However, during the ''Peppa Pig'' episodes, an unexpected cut occurs, revealing an image or message from "Momo." Examples of these messages include singing with a young girl while threatening harm, screaming, or instructing the viewer to play hide and seek without informing their parents, under the threat of harm if they do. In one instance, a [[wikipedia:Garry's Mod|''Garry's Mod'']] video featuring YouTuber Filthy Frank, also known as Joji, includes a green screen segment where he provides instructions on self-harm with a knife.<ref><nowiki>https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8484645/youtube-kids-suicide-self-harm-cartoons-parents-warning/</nowiki></ref>  

==See also==