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Writer's pictureGabriel Castillo

Celebrating the Year of the Tiger with awesome neko characters

Written by: Gabriel Castillo

Published on: Feb 1, 2022 at 18:20 PHT (GMT+8)


Happy Year of the Tiger! For many anime fans, cat-like characters hold a special place in their hearts. And, since it’s the year of the big cat, why not take a look at some notable catty characters throughout the years? Let’s celebrate the Lunar New year and check out a few favorable feline-like characters (in no particular order)!

Cat Got Your Tongue?

Eris (Cat Planet Cuties)
Love the Bell | PHOTO CREDIT: © Okina Kamino/AIC+/CatPlanetCuties Production Committee

Eris, from the alien planet Catia, is a 100% cutie with her orange hair and matching fluffy cat ears. She comes in peace and hopes to learn more about Earth from Kio Kakazu (with whom she kinda wants to mate). Other than Eris, Cat Planet Cuties introduces, unsurprisingly, an array of lovable catgirls; give it a go if you’re a fan of cat ladies!


Neferpitou (Hunter x Hunter)
Scary Eyes | PHOTO CREDIT: © Yoshihiro Togashi/ Madhouse/ Hunter x Hunter Production Committee

From a cutie-cat with a lovely personality, we look at one of the deadliest cat-like characters in anime — Neferpitou, firstborn of the Chimera Ant King’s Royal Guards in Hunter x Hunter. At first glance he looks like a chill, humanoid cat but those deep, bloodshot eyes tell a different story. And once Pitou gears up for action, you’ll see some ridiculous bloodlust and power. Pitou shows up in the Chimera Ants arc of Hunter x Hunter and adds an extra layer of awesomeness to the legendary arc.


Koneko Toujou (Highschool DxD)
Bright Eyes | PHOTO CREDIT: ©Ichiei Ishibumi/ TNK/ Highschool DxD Production Committee

Also known as Shirone Toujoi, this white-haired cutie is a Nekoshou, a rare species of Nekomata (a cat-like yokai featured in the series). She’s on the petite side sporting a lovely combo of gold eyes, white hair, and matching white ears (in her Nekomata form). She initially had a withdrawn, timid personality thanks to a troubled past but she never let her friends in the Occult Club down. In time, Koneko eventually opens up and even acts a bit more cat-like!

Yoruichi Shihouin (Bleach)
Human Form | PHOTO CREDIT: ©Tite Kubo/Pierrot/Bleach Production Committee

Bleach had quite a litany of characters and a number of iconic groups (like the Espada and Gotei 13). One of the more mysterious characters, Yoruichi, appears early on in the series and flaunts her gorgeous purple hair and golden eyes. Although she’s not cat-like at first glance, she literally turns into a black cat which is perfect for her secret-heavy, ninja-like role. She loves being a cat so much that sometimes she forgets the need to wear clothes.


Catherine (Gintama)
She be burglin'
Cat Burglar as it gets | PHOTO CREDIT: ©Hideaki Sorachi/Sunrise/Gintama Production Committee

Catherine, a former cat burglar and member of the group Cat’s Punch, sports a black bob with brown-ish cat ears. She’s not exactly what you’d expect when you hear “catgirl” but she fits perfectly in a series that doesn’t take itself so seriously. It’s always a riot when she shows up in and Gintoki makes all his snide, chummy comments!


Blair (Soul Eater)
Loving the purple hair
Nyah | PHOTO CREDIT: ©Atsushi Ōkubo/Bones/Soul Eater Production Committee

Although mistaken initially as a witch by Maka and Soul, Blair is actually just a cat with powerful magic. After a quick spat, Blair ends up being tight with Maka and Soul (even trying to lowkey flirt with him a bit). She’s got the purple-hair-yellow-eyes combo with a matching tail as a human and as a cat. Blair’s a fun-loving, caring cutie who loves to play and flirt a little!


Rem Galleu (How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord)
Rem meeting Diablo
Look at those Eyes | PHOTO CREDIT: ©Yukiya Murasaki /Kodansha / How Not to Summon a Demon Lord Production Committee

The isekai genre typically introduces a wide variety of different species and cat humanoids are almost always present! Rem Galleu, from the series with a relatively short name recent isekai series, is a short Pantherian girl with rare black hair and ears and is one of the main characters in the show. She’s a little insecure about her body since she’s a little petite for her race and for some reason this adds a layer of cuteness to her!


Thankfully, there are a ton more neko characters out there from a plethora of anime to enjoy throughout this new year. If you have a personal favorite, let us know in the comments! Take care readers, and have an awesome Feb ahead!

 

Source: Series wiki (one, two, three, four, five, six, seven)

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