In different genres of anime, human characters with animal features are prevalent. Catgirls are especially common tropes and are loved by many for their adorable ears and other feline features. However, cat boys are not that common in anime.
Like their female counterparts, cat children can have ears, whiskers, and tails, and their personalities often mirror those of cats. They can be mischievous, cunning, and introverted, or curious, playful, and loyal. Some even transform into actual cats, either by choice or by curse. These characters, regardless of their backgrounds or personalities, all share one thing: they’re lovable cat boys.
10 Rokumon is a miniature and loyal cat boy (Rin-ne)
Rokumon is a cat that formed a contract with Rinne, a human Shinigami who guides deceased spirits to reincarnate. On Rin-ne, otherwise known as The circle of reincarnationBlack Cats form contracts with Shinigami to support them as partners.
Rokumon can transform into three forms: cat, humanoid, and a huge demon form. In his humanoid form, which is his default appearance, he is still the size of a cat but has a human face. He has black fur and green cat eyes on all forms of him. Rokumon is fiercely loyal to Rinne and is a lovable addition to the supernatural comedy series.
9 Cheshire is a Cat Boy version of a literary character (Pandora’s Hearts)
Pandora hearts is very inspired by Alice’s Adventures in WonderlandAnd as its name suggests, Cheshire is based on the Cheshire Cat, a creature known for its wide, mischievous grin. Unlike his inspiration, Cheshire takes on a humanoid form but retains many feline features, such as her ears, tail, clawed hands, and fangs.
He wears a bell collar that he wore in his past life when he took the form of a real cat. Cheshire is extremely loyal to and protective of Alice, sometimes to the extreme, and can be aggressive and selfish, all of which are traits many associate with cats.
8 Ryota Neko is the leader of a Yokai cat clan (Nurarihyon no Mago)
On Nurarihyon no Mage, Ryota Neko is a yokai who serves as the head of the Bakeneko Clan and leader of 1st Street. Like many cats in real life, Ryota Neko can be a bit cowardly, but he is very loyal to his loved ones. He also has a fondness for gambling.
Her cat-like qualities include her ears, a brown spot around her eye, and a cat-like mouth full of sharp teeth. She usually wears a headband with a paw pattern. The adorable design of him makes him stand out as a beloved character in Nurarihyon no Mago.
7 Boris Airay is a mischievous Cheshire cat (Alice in the country of hearts)
Based on an Otome game, Alice in the country of hearts (also know as Heart no Kuni no Alice: Wonderful Wonder World) is also inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Boris Airay is the Cheshire Cat from Wonderland, and like his literary counterpart, he is mischievous and sometimes unpredictable in his actions.
Boris has pink cat ears, gold eyes, a tail, and wears a necklace with an attached chain. He has a very catlike personality, is calm and laid back, and doesn’t like having to work for anything.
6 Schrödinger is a villain from Cat Boy (Hellsing Ultimate)
Schrödinger is a member of the Millennium Forces in Hellsing Ultimate. Created by Doc to be a spy and personal pet, Schrödinger is named after Schrödinger’s cat, a real-life experiment exploring how a hypothetical cat could be alive and dead at the same time. Similary, Hellsing Ultimate’s Schrödinger exists as long as he is aware that he exists, giving him teleportation and regenerative abilities.
Schrödinger often delivers more lighthearted moments compared to the overall darkness of the show, but he’s still a sadistic antagonist. With cat ears and a playful attitude, his demeanor is feline, yet cruel and evil.
5 Cecil is a cat boy who can also sing (Uta no Prince-sama)
Uta no Prince-sama is a romantic comedy anime that takes place in a music academy. Cecil Aijima is a member of the idol group Starish. He is the prince of the Agnapolis country, but he was cursed to turn into a black cat. It is in his cat form that he first meets Nanami, the female lead. She becomes attached to him and calls him Kuppuru.
As a human, Cecil does not retain any feline traits, though he does have green eyes in both forms. As a cat, he is curious and very loyal to Nanami, whom he loves from the moment he met her.
4 Leo is a mighty lion boy (Fairy Tail)
Leo is a Celestial Spirit and the leader of the 12 Golden Keys of the Zodiac in Fairy tale, . As a Lion, he is strong and can unleash powerful light attacks. He mainly resides in the Heavenly Spirit World, but enters the human world when he calls him the Heavenly Mage who holds the key to him.
Also known as Loke, Leo has cat ears and red hair that resembles a lion’s mane. He is very flirtatious with beautiful women and has a strong sense of chivalry. He is very loyal to his friends and is fearless in the face of danger, much like the big cat he is based on.
3 Ikuto is two cat boys in one (Shugo Chara!)
Sugo Chara!Ikuto Tsukiyomi’s is one of the most popular cat boys in anime. Yoru is the name of his “Shugo Chara” or guardian character, a fairy-like guardian who is the embodiment of Ikuto’s wishes. With cat ears, paws, and a tail, Yoru is a miniature version of Ikuto.
Ikuto, who sometimes appears with cat ears and a tail, has a very cat-like personality. He can be aloof and mysterious, but also observant, kind, and protective of his loved ones. He has cat-like reflexes and abilities, such as his Phantom Claw attack, where he generates long claws from his hands to fight.
two Killua is a particularly naughty cat boy (Hunter x Hunter)
One character that fans might not realize is a cat boy is Killua Zoldyck from Hunter X Hunter. Killua sometimes has feline features, such as ears, whiskers, paws, fangs, slanted eyes, and a curved mouth, but these are not permanent and are mainly for comedic effect.
His feline traits, which tend to show up when he’s especially cunning or when dealing with sweets, serve to emphasize his mischievousness. He can also turn his nails into sharp claws, which he uses in combat. As a cat, he can be rude at times, but is very loyal to his friends, especially Gon.
1 Kyo turns into a cat due to a family curse (Fruits Basket)
On Fruit basquet, members of the Soma family are cursed to transform into the animals of the Zodiac if they are hugged by a person of the opposite sex. Kyo is cursed with the spirit of the cat, the unlucky animal left out of the zodiac, according to legend.
When the female characters hug him, Kyo transforms into an orange cat. He also attracts cats wherever he wants him to go. Like a cat, he greatly dislikes rain and water in general, and loves to drink milk. He is hot-blooded and always looking to fight Yuki, who is the Rat in the Zodiac and her sworn enemy. However, he means well and cares deeply for Tohru.
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