People are obsessing over a photo app and it's easy to see why

Super kawaii.
 By 
Johnny Lieu
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Before the filters of Instagram and Snapchat, there were purikura sticker photo booths. It was the main way young people of the '00s could share silly, heavily edited pictures of each other complete with text and funny backdrops.

While we may have moved on from IRL super cute sticker photos, the look has come back in the form of a Chinese beautifying iOS and Android app called Meitu.

And the internet is OBSESSED.

The app has been around since 2008, but recently gained popularity on Twitter. According to the company, Meitu has "an incredible suite of professional filters, frames, effects and other tools to turn ... smartphone photos into works of art."

See for yourself.

The app adds anime-like, larger-than-life eyes, rosy lips, blushing cheeks and dreamy hair. It works on animals too.

Be warned: It is a pretty addictive app. Use it wisely.

Mashable Image
Johnny Lieu

Mashable Australia's Web Culture Reporter.Reach out to me on Twitter at @Johnny_Lieu or via email at jlieu [at] mashable.com

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
One easy $40 app for all your PDF tasks
Apple tech on desk



Gossip app Tea is back — but not on the App Store
screenshot of tea browser login page, with several women crossing their arms


Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone


What's new to streaming this week? (April 3, 2026)
A composite of images from film and TV streaming this week.

You can track Artemis II in real time as Orion flies to the moon
Victor Glover and Reid Wiseman piloting the Orion spacecraft
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!