The cat girl—a beloved figure in anime, especially in playful harem series. Apart from the tsundere, no character type is as iconic in the world of anime. Cat girls are a familiar sight, often appearing in light-hearted and funny shows. This is likely because they’re designed to be adorable, with their cat ears adding to their cute and youthful appearance. However, it’s refreshing to see a cat girl who breaks this mold, being portrayed as smart and capable, like Felix/Ferris from Re: Zero.
Cat Girl Origin and History
Anime and manga from the early days drew heavy inspiration from American cartoons, dating back to the 1930s-50s. Early American cartoons like Disney’s animal characters—such as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit—influenced the creation of similar characters in Japan. Felix the Cat, Popeye, and Betty Boop also served as early inspirations for anime creators.
The Japanese have long had a special affection for cats, so combining this love with the idea of creating unique cartoon characters similar to popular American ones led to the early emergence of cat-like characters in anime history.
“The portrayal of cat-girls dates back to at least 1924, when Japanese author Kenji Miyazawa, a notable figure in early Shōwa period literature, introduced a character with cat ears in The 4th of Narcissus Month. The first anime featuring cat girls, The King’s Tail (Osama no Shippo), was created in 1949 by Mitsuyo Seo.”
Since then, cat girls (referred to as “nekomimi” or ‘cat ears’ in Japanese) and occasionally cat boys, have become popular characters in many anime series. Some shows, like Tokyo Mew Mew and Loveless, exclusively feature characters with animal ears. Even Hello Kitty, known as Kitty White, can be seen as a nekomimi character rather than just a cat.
Why Are Cat Girls Loveable?
Some suggest that the cat girl in Japanese culture is akin to the Playboy bunny in Western culture. Both use animals linked to feminine charm to enhance the allure of a character or person in costume.
However, cat girls are typically portrayed as carefree, innocent, and naive. Their look is usually more cute than sexy. They embody the Japanese concept of moé: a specific set of cute traits in both appearance and personality, common in young, female anime characters. Adding cat-like features—such as bells, collars, playfulness, ears, and tails—boosts a character’s moé appeal. This aesthetic is more innocent and less overtly sexual than the Playboy Bunny.
Cat girls can fit into a variety of character types, such as a dere-dere cat (sweet and affectionate) or a tsundere cat (initially cold but warms up over time). They’re often cast as “magical girlfriends” or “manic pixie dream girls”—characters who are fun, lively, and girlish. Their cat ears and tails often reveal their emotions, adding to the expressiveness that anime is known for.
Famous Cat Girl Anime Characters
Cat-eared characters appear in so many anime series that it’s easier to count the ones without them!
Anime featuring numerous cat-eared characters include Cat Planet Cuties, DiGi Charat, Tokyo Mew Mew, and Loveless.
Anime characters with cat ears can be categorized based on their ability to shape-shift. Some are cats that turn into humans, while others are humans that turn into cats. For example, Kyo in Fruits Basket is cursed to transform into a cat when hugged by someone of the opposite sex. In another instance, everyone in Hetalia temporarily turns into cats during a particular arc.
Many anime girls wear pointy bows that resemble cat ears, signaling that the character may have aloof or finicky traits like a cat. Asuka in Evangelion always wears red hair clips that resemble either cat ears or devil horns, and Rin Toshaka, a famous tsundere in Fate/stay night, wears pointy, cat-ear-like ribbons.
Anime Cat Girl Variations and Sub-Types
- The Catgirl + Trap: In anime, a “trap” refers to a convincing male character who dresses as a female. Some of these characters are catgirls, perhaps to emphasize their femininity, making it more surprising or humorous when their true gender is revealed.
- The Catgirl + Maid: This type combines the moé qualities of both catgirls and maids. Just as French maid outfits are fetishized in anime, so are cat ears, making this combination quite popular.
- Other Animal Ears: Bunnies and foxes are also common. For example, Holo from Spice and Wolf is a wolf goddess with ears and a tail that resemble those of a fox. Fox people, though less common than cat people, often appear in anime due to Japan’s cultural affinity with foxes. In Shinto, Japan’s native religion, fox spirits are highly respected. Fox characters in anime often represent traditional, elegant beauty, contrasting with the playful and cutesy nature of cat characters.
Differences Between Cat Girls and Furries
What Are Furries?
A “furry” character is any animal or animal-like creature that has some human features. These can include walking on two legs, having human-like intelligence, or even talking like a person. Furry characters aren’t just found in anime—they appear in children’s shows and even in adult animations, like Bojack Horseman.
What Are Cat Girls?
Unlike furries, cat girls (or boys) are mostly human, with only a few animal traits, usually just the ears and tail of a cat. A cat girl might be fully human but wear cat ears as part of a costume, or she might be a magical girl who transforms into a cat girl.
Origins and Cultural Differences
Another key difference between furries and cat girls is where they come from. Furries originally came from American cartoons, while cat girls began in Japanese anime. Thanks to the internet and cultural exchange between the East and West, both have spread globally. However, their origins still reflect some cultural differences between Japan and America.
For example, in Western media, cat-like features are sometimes used to make women appear more sexualized, like in the character of Catwoman or the Playboy bunny outfit. On the other hand, in Asian media, cat-like traits are often used to make characters appear cute and innocent, reflecting a different cultural attitude towards femininity.
Linking Feminine Traits with Cats
The idea of cat girls is not just about how we see animals, but also about what traits are considered attractive in women and girls. Throughout history, cats have often been linked with feminine qualities. This link can show women as powerful and mature, like Catwoman, but it can also make them seem childlike. There’s even a trend where a feminine-looking male character wears cat ears to appear even more feminine.
But why do we connect cats with femininity and attractiveness? Here are some traits that both cats and women are often associated with:
- Big eyes
- High-pitched voices
- Small size
- Cuddly nature
- Graceful movements
- Switching between being distant and affectionate (like a tsundere character)
- Mysteriousness
- Connection to shadows or night
- Connection to magic (from Ancient Egyptian religion to witches and their black cats)
Conclusion
Storytelling often uses metaphors and comparisons, which is why cat girls are a common trope in anime and manga. They mix the feminine traits we admire with the mysterious and playful qualities of cats. While many cat girls are designed to be the “dream girl” for viewers, it’s exciting to think that future stories might explore this character type in new and different ways, breaking away from the usual stereotypes.
