We've all seen the signs, right? The future - aka 2026 - is about to be absolutely slammed with furries! I mean, it’s a total media FURLANCHE. The culture, the art, the vibe... it's all going global! Can you even imagine how bonkers it is that the whole furry fandom is about to experience a full-on FUR-NAISSANCE next year?! It sounds like pure, gigantic insanity, and I am HERE FOR IT!
But wait, hold up! Some of the newest peeps are probably asking: "What ARE the furries, even?!"
A furry is basically a member of the Furry Fandom. Think of it like this: they really connect with a specific animal - a non-human species - but they give it all the human treatment! They talk like us, walk like us, wear clothes like us - the whole human behavior. These animal alter-egos are called fursonas, and they’re basically the coolest secret identity ever. People have been into these anthropomorphic (that's a fancy word for "human-like animal") characters since, like... the '80s. If you’ve ever binge-watched Zootopia, or screamed about how cute Bluey is, then you already get it.
Speaking of getting it, my initial dive into the Furryverse? It was all thanks to a bag of Cheetos! Seriously! Back in my Indonesian childhood, the local Cheetos had Chester Cheetah looking all dressed up and furry-fied on the bag, instead of the naked American one!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO__TO71bhA
Like, seeing animals in clothes - from that bag to classics like Zootopia - was always this super authentic and cool move to me!
I remember totally lurking on DeviantArt back in the day, just smashing that favorite button on all the awesome furry art I could find. (Though, sidebar: the vore/edgy stuff? Hard pass. Not my flavor! XD) That’s why I ended up making a Fur Affinity account in 2022. Gotta follow the good stuff, am I right?
Back from February 2022 and made my first fursona: Cornbread the yellow cool cat! YIKES, that name is so extra, but shout out to DeadlyComics who originally drew it... I even claimed him as my own AU character after reacting to the "Relax" music video by ODAE, which is... adorable version of Chester Cheetah.
https://www.deviantart.com/drewthec.....numb-908661689
I later tried out a whole crew: Licorice (Russian wolf), Cheddaroni (average brown mouse), and Snowcone (polar bear).
https://www.deviantart.com/drewthec.....mals-934767209
But let's be real, I scrapped those guys eventually to finally land on my initial fursona: a sleek red fox.
For a while, I was all about Objectsonas, only throwing in my actual pet rat, Ronnie, as a character - who, funnily enough, looked like a wacky, intriguing mini-furry, kinda like a warm-up for Cheddaroni.
https://www.deviantart.com/dtcl2007.....ESE-1186525247
And now, I’ve finally come back to the furry community for good! So, I figured it was time to finally post about my true fursona as a rat!
https://www.deviantart.com/dtcl2007.....ona-1242853440
Why am I coming back to the furry community after three years? Well...
...we’ve seen furries popping up EVERYWHERE! They're in first-class movies, they're the stars of killer games, they're the draft for upcoming children's books and graphic novels, they're getting new seasons of series, and let's not forget the MEGA-EXPANSION of the Critter Entries from Poppy Playtime (I’m already planning my Critters United fanfic with the Smiling/Nightmare Critters). IT'S ALL FURRY MEDIA. FURRIES FOR DAYS!
The wave is already starting and we had The Bad Guys 2 (our favorite crazy furry gangsters) drop this August, then comes the next global furry event: Zootopia 2 in November 2025. But that’s just the start.
2026 is the real target with brand new franchises (GOAT, Hoppers), first-look flicks (Charlie the Wonderdog, The Last Whale Singer, Decorado), classic comebacks (Coyote vs. Acme, The Cat in the Hat), rising-star cartoon seasons (Bluey, Kiff, Sir Mouse, Charlotte's Web, Stomp! Stomp! Rhinos!), new books, anticipated games (Wildekin, Wild Assault, Cryptid Crush, BROK: The Brawl Bar), and of course, the big-time sports mascots (2026 World Cup's Maple, Zayu, and Clutch and the 2026 Winter Olympics' Tina and Milo)! It's all landing in late 2025 and, most importantly, 2026. YES, IT’S 2026.
This is gonna be the Uprising of the Furry Community, an absolutely UNFURGETTABLE year! So, my buddy Garrett the Wolf and I decided this calls for a plan. We are on a mission to push the fandom from a niche hobby into a full-on global spotlight! We’re teaming up with awesome organizations like Anthropomorphic Events of Ontario, Fur Affinity, Furry Network, and Furry Refugee (sorry, not the UN... yet!) to make a huge furry culture project for 2026.
And guess what?! Our resolution was APPROVED and supported by them! We can now happily declare the very (un)official INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF FURRIES for 2026. We’re just calling it, plain and simple...
This super duper hyper year isn't just a party; it's basically our chance to put a spotlight on every single furry - from the artists to the crazy fursuiters. The main mission is simple: squash the negativity and make sure everyone knows that being a furry is a good nature and a real, all-year-long movement! We're inviting literally everyone - fans, families, industries - to stop seeing this as just cartoons and start seeing it as a mega-cultural bridge between art, tech, and community.
But, okay, there are some troubles in this story: the old misconceptions and the lingering stigma. People think we're weird... we're scattered all over the place across platforms and conventions, and big industries just see us as a dollar sign, not a culture. That's why we have to stand out from the niche experience...
The only way to use solution: we're talking huge campaigns showing the good stuff such as charity fundraising, mental health support, creativity and inclusivity. We need a central campaign calendar for global events, along with partnerships that actually respect fan art and creativity, like grants and open collaborations.
Yes... everyone is invited.
All through 2026, we’re having a massive coordination party! Fursuit makers, writers, film studios, publishers, game developers (looking at you, Wildekin), streaming services, and toy companies are all expected to hop in and make projects that unite fans and creators worldwide.
Why are they doing this? Because data shows furry content is totally commercially viable, it helps people explore identity, acceptance, and creativity, and massive cons like Anthrocon, MFF, and Eurofurence just keep getting year over year. We are a GROWTH industry.
Lemme get this straight, this word isn't about looking back - it’s about a REBIRTH of creativity and connection! It’s the next level.
Before we hit 2026... the excitement builds with trailers, announcements, and all that fandom buzz.
When 2026 rolls around... it’s a full-on blaze - movies, shows, conventions, games, and fan creations all come together for a yearlong celebration.
The official theme for the whole re-fur-lution of International Year of Furries (Furry 2026) is:
And what about that awesome paw print symbol you’ve seen? Is it supposed to be simple? Exactly! It’s simple, but totally furry, bold, optimistic, and welcoming! The paw print is the most iconic, universal symbol we have. We call it the PAWBURST, literally.
The paw is the core, but the sunburst shooting out from the paw pads is the energy and light of the fandom spreading out and expanding. It’s what you call an effective logo, especially since the text "FURRY 2026" is just the "sidekick." Its circular design means it can be slapped on all the merch and look amazing.
So, here's Garrett from GTW2007 discussed all of them regarding Furry 2026 at the press conference on October 4th at Toronto:
“You know, I’ve been thinking about this for a long time - and I truly believe 2026 is shaping up to be something historic. For decades, anthropomorphic art and storytelling have existed in small corners of the internet, in conventions, in sketches shared quietly between friends. But next year... next year, it’s finally time for that world to step out of the niche and into the global spotlight. 2026 is going to be the greatest year yet for anthropomorphic art and culture. We’re talking about a worldwide celebration of imagination - where the boundaries between fantasy and identity blur, and the creativity of thousands finally gets seen, heard, and celebrated for what it really is: art with heart, humor, and humanity.”
“So today, I’m inviting everyone - fans, families, artists, creators, studios, game developers, animators, musicians, and yes, even the curious ones - to come join us. To see anthropomorphism not just as entertainment or costume play, but as a cultural bridge. It’s where art meets technology, where nostalgia meets innovation, and where people meet each other - without judgment, without barriers. Furries have always been about connection: between species, between stories, between people who want to express something more than just “human.” And that’s what this movement is about.”
“Our inspiration for Furry 2026, comes from a shared dream - to give this community the recognition, respect, and reach it’s long deserved. The goal isn’t just to celebrate; it’s to inspire new creators, empower inclusivity, and open opportunities for collaboration across art, fashion, film, music, tech, and education. This year is our chance to showcase how anthropomorphism can bring out empathy, creativity, and innovation in every corner of culture. The mission is simple: to make 2026 a year where the furry community doesn’t just exist - it thrives, grows, and inspires others to imagine boldly again.”
“Now, let’s talk about the theme: “Join the Fur-naissance.” It’s more than a slogan - it’s a statement of purpose. “The Fur-naissance” is about rebirth, renewal, and rediscovery. It’s about embracing that spark of creativity that lives in every one of us, no matter how young or old, casual or passionate. Visually, we’ve brought this to life with our symbol, the Pawburst - a radiant paw-shaped emblem bursting outward in color and motion, representing energy, unity, and the diversity of expression across our community. It’s youthful, powerful, and alive - the same qualities we see in the artists and fans who make this culture what it is.”
“Honestly, I’m filled with excitement just standing here. The response so far has been overwhelming, and I can already feel the momentum building. From the first art exhibitions to new film projects, from campus festivals to charity drives, everything is lining up beautifully. And I can’t wait - really, I can’t wait - to invite everyone to the official opening of Furry 2026, which will begin with our launch show on December 28th, 2025. It’s going to be something special, something that reminds us all that creativity is better when shared, and that the world is ready - finally ready - to celebrate the art of being more than human.”
We have so much more coming! Tons of updates, huge news, and surprises dropping around 2026. Keep your eyes peeled for more FURRY 2026 news as we celebrate the year that unites us all! Stay tuned!
But wait, hold up! Some of the newest peeps are probably asking: "What ARE the furries, even?!"
A furry is basically a member of the Furry Fandom. Think of it like this: they really connect with a specific animal - a non-human species - but they give it all the human treatment! They talk like us, walk like us, wear clothes like us - the whole human behavior. These animal alter-egos are called fursonas, and they’re basically the coolest secret identity ever. People have been into these anthropomorphic (that's a fancy word for "human-like animal") characters since, like... the '80s. If you’ve ever binge-watched Zootopia, or screamed about how cute Bluey is, then you already get it.
Speaking of getting it, my initial dive into the Furryverse? It was all thanks to a bag of Cheetos! Seriously! Back in my Indonesian childhood, the local Cheetos had Chester Cheetah looking all dressed up and furry-fied on the bag, instead of the naked American one!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO__TO71bhA
Like, seeing animals in clothes - from that bag to classics like Zootopia - was always this super authentic and cool move to me!
I remember totally lurking on DeviantArt back in the day, just smashing that favorite button on all the awesome furry art I could find. (Though, sidebar: the vore/edgy stuff? Hard pass. Not my flavor! XD) That’s why I ended up making a Fur Affinity account in 2022. Gotta follow the good stuff, am I right?
Back from February 2022 and made my first fursona: Cornbread the yellow cool cat! YIKES, that name is so extra, but shout out to DeadlyComics who originally drew it... I even claimed him as my own AU character after reacting to the "Relax" music video by ODAE, which is... adorable version of Chester Cheetah.
https://www.deviantart.com/drewthec.....numb-908661689
I later tried out a whole crew: Licorice (Russian wolf), Cheddaroni (average brown mouse), and Snowcone (polar bear).
https://www.deviantart.com/drewthec.....mals-934767209
But let's be real, I scrapped those guys eventually to finally land on my initial fursona: a sleek red fox.
For a while, I was all about Objectsonas, only throwing in my actual pet rat, Ronnie, as a character - who, funnily enough, looked like a wacky, intriguing mini-furry, kinda like a warm-up for Cheddaroni.
https://www.deviantart.com/dtcl2007.....ESE-1186525247
And now, I’ve finally come back to the furry community for good! So, I figured it was time to finally post about my true fursona as a rat!
https://www.deviantart.com/dtcl2007.....ona-1242853440
Why am I coming back to the furry community after three years? Well...
...we’ve seen furries popping up EVERYWHERE! They're in first-class movies, they're the stars of killer games, they're the draft for upcoming children's books and graphic novels, they're getting new seasons of series, and let's not forget the MEGA-EXPANSION of the Critter Entries from Poppy Playtime (I’m already planning my Critters United fanfic with the Smiling/Nightmare Critters). IT'S ALL FURRY MEDIA. FURRIES FOR DAYS!
The wave is already starting and we had The Bad Guys 2 (our favorite crazy furry gangsters) drop this August, then comes the next global furry event: Zootopia 2 in November 2025. But that’s just the start.
2026 is the real target with brand new franchises (GOAT, Hoppers), first-look flicks (Charlie the Wonderdog, The Last Whale Singer, Decorado), classic comebacks (Coyote vs. Acme, The Cat in the Hat), rising-star cartoon seasons (Bluey, Kiff, Sir Mouse, Charlotte's Web, Stomp! Stomp! Rhinos!), new books, anticipated games (Wildekin, Wild Assault, Cryptid Crush, BROK: The Brawl Bar), and of course, the big-time sports mascots (2026 World Cup's Maple, Zayu, and Clutch and the 2026 Winter Olympics' Tina and Milo)! It's all landing in late 2025 and, most importantly, 2026. YES, IT’S 2026.
This is gonna be the Uprising of the Furry Community, an absolutely UNFURGETTABLE year! So, my buddy Garrett the Wolf and I decided this calls for a plan. We are on a mission to push the fandom from a niche hobby into a full-on global spotlight! We’re teaming up with awesome organizations like Anthropomorphic Events of Ontario, Fur Affinity, Furry Network, and Furry Refugee (sorry, not the UN... yet!) to make a huge furry culture project for 2026.
And guess what?! Our resolution was APPROVED and supported by them! We can now happily declare the very (un)official INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF FURRIES for 2026. We’re just calling it, plain and simple...
FURRY 2026
This super duper hyper year isn't just a party; it's basically our chance to put a spotlight on every single furry - from the artists to the crazy fursuiters. The main mission is simple: squash the negativity and make sure everyone knows that being a furry is a good nature and a real, all-year-long movement! We're inviting literally everyone - fans, families, industries - to stop seeing this as just cartoons and start seeing it as a mega-cultural bridge between art, tech, and community.
But, okay, there are some troubles in this story: the old misconceptions and the lingering stigma. People think we're weird... we're scattered all over the place across platforms and conventions, and big industries just see us as a dollar sign, not a culture. That's why we have to stand out from the niche experience...
The only way to use solution: we're talking huge campaigns showing the good stuff such as charity fundraising, mental health support, creativity and inclusivity. We need a central campaign calendar for global events, along with partnerships that actually respect fan art and creativity, like grants and open collaborations.
THAT'S WHEN MAGIC HAPPENS.
Yes... everyone is invited.
All through 2026, we’re having a massive coordination party! Fursuit makers, writers, film studios, publishers, game developers (looking at you, Wildekin), streaming services, and toy companies are all expected to hop in and make projects that unite fans and creators worldwide.
Why are they doing this? Because data shows furry content is totally commercially viable, it helps people explore identity, acceptance, and creativity, and massive cons like Anthrocon, MFF, and Eurofurence just keep getting year over year. We are a GROWTH industry.
What is this 'fur-naissance' thing?
Lemme get this straight, this word isn't about looking back - it’s about a REBIRTH of creativity and connection! It’s the next level.
Before we hit 2026... the excitement builds with trailers, announcements, and all that fandom buzz.
When 2026 rolls around... it’s a full-on blaze - movies, shows, conventions, games, and fan creations all come together for a yearlong celebration.
The official theme for the whole re-fur-lution of International Year of Furries (Furry 2026) is:
"JOIN THE FUR-NAISSANCE"
And what about that awesome paw print symbol you’ve seen? Is it supposed to be simple? Exactly! It’s simple, but totally furry, bold, optimistic, and welcoming! The paw print is the most iconic, universal symbol we have. We call it the PAWBURST, literally.
The paw is the core, but the sunburst shooting out from the paw pads is the energy and light of the fandom spreading out and expanding. It’s what you call an effective logo, especially since the text "FURRY 2026" is just the "sidekick." Its circular design means it can be slapped on all the merch and look amazing.
So, here's Garrett from GTW2007 discussed all of them regarding Furry 2026 at the press conference on October 4th at Toronto:
“You know, I’ve been thinking about this for a long time - and I truly believe 2026 is shaping up to be something historic. For decades, anthropomorphic art and storytelling have existed in small corners of the internet, in conventions, in sketches shared quietly between friends. But next year... next year, it’s finally time for that world to step out of the niche and into the global spotlight. 2026 is going to be the greatest year yet for anthropomorphic art and culture. We’re talking about a worldwide celebration of imagination - where the boundaries between fantasy and identity blur, and the creativity of thousands finally gets seen, heard, and celebrated for what it really is: art with heart, humor, and humanity.”
“So today, I’m inviting everyone - fans, families, artists, creators, studios, game developers, animators, musicians, and yes, even the curious ones - to come join us. To see anthropomorphism not just as entertainment or costume play, but as a cultural bridge. It’s where art meets technology, where nostalgia meets innovation, and where people meet each other - without judgment, without barriers. Furries have always been about connection: between species, between stories, between people who want to express something more than just “human.” And that’s what this movement is about.”
“Our inspiration for Furry 2026, comes from a shared dream - to give this community the recognition, respect, and reach it’s long deserved. The goal isn’t just to celebrate; it’s to inspire new creators, empower inclusivity, and open opportunities for collaboration across art, fashion, film, music, tech, and education. This year is our chance to showcase how anthropomorphism can bring out empathy, creativity, and innovation in every corner of culture. The mission is simple: to make 2026 a year where the furry community doesn’t just exist - it thrives, grows, and inspires others to imagine boldly again.”
“Now, let’s talk about the theme: “Join the Fur-naissance.” It’s more than a slogan - it’s a statement of purpose. “The Fur-naissance” is about rebirth, renewal, and rediscovery. It’s about embracing that spark of creativity that lives in every one of us, no matter how young or old, casual or passionate. Visually, we’ve brought this to life with our symbol, the Pawburst - a radiant paw-shaped emblem bursting outward in color and motion, representing energy, unity, and the diversity of expression across our community. It’s youthful, powerful, and alive - the same qualities we see in the artists and fans who make this culture what it is.”
“Honestly, I’m filled with excitement just standing here. The response so far has been overwhelming, and I can already feel the momentum building. From the first art exhibitions to new film projects, from campus festivals to charity drives, everything is lining up beautifully. And I can’t wait - really, I can’t wait - to invite everyone to the official opening of Furry 2026, which will begin with our launch show on December 28th, 2025. It’s going to be something special, something that reminds us all that creativity is better when shared, and that the world is ready - finally ready - to celebrate the art of being more than human.”
We have so much more coming! Tons of updates, huge news, and surprises dropping around 2026. Keep your eyes peeled for more FURRY 2026 news as we celebrate the year that unites us all! Stay tuned!
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