How many anime series have you watched that had cute cats in at least one of the episodes? Dozens? Hundreds? You must have at least seen Totoro or Pokemon, so that’s one, but there are so many more iconic anime kitties out there!
Here are the top 10 most memorable anime cats, some of which became real anime legends.
1. Bananya — Bananya
The main star of Bananya is a banana cat. That’s right, half-cat half-banana. Although other characters also have the “Banana” in their names, they are usually named based on their design or role, such as Papa Banana or Black Banana. However, the main Bananya is perhaps the most memorable, with its simple, easy-to-understand design and history. The anime may not be that great, but the remarkable banana cat merchandise sells like hot cupcakes!
2. Blair — Soul Eater
Blair looks like a classic oversexualized anime witch but is actually a werecat. Her appearance confused Soul and Maka when they needed a witch’s soul for their exam. Blair’s sorcery involves spooky pumpkins, which she uses as weapons and transportation. Did we mention she’s hot?
3. Kuroneko — Trigun
Kuroneko, which literally means “black cat,” is not like the rest of the cats on this list. He’s not an important part of the plot, but despite being nothing more than a running gag, this kitty has become one of the most memorable characters in the series. Every single episode of Trigun has a Kuroneko hidden somewhere. It can appear either once or several times per episode. So it’s a fun little game you can play while rewatching this epic series.
4. Meowth — Pokemon
Many Pokémon are inspired by real animals, including bugs, fish, and, of course, cats. You could even have a squad of cat-like Pokemon if you wanted to, but you must always include Meowth. His fame rivals only that of a Pikachu, Eevee, and Charizard, and it’s all thanks to Team Rocket’s Meowth. He is one of the rare cases of Pokémon who can talk to humans.
5. Ji-Ji — Kiki’s Delivery Service
Ji-Ji is Kiki’s companion and friend, accompanying her on her journey to becoming a true witch. Hayao Miyazaki explained Kiki’s ability to talk to the cat by saying that the cat symbolizes the young witch’s innocence and childhood. And the moment Kiki loses this ability would mean she’s finally become an adult. But who would want that?
6. Kuro — Blue Exorcist
Once a guardian deity, Kuro befriends Shiro Fujimoto and becomes his familiar. After Shiro’s death, which Kuro takes very close to heart, the cat becomes Rin’s familiar. In his demon form, Kuro becomes a giant cat with two tails and huge horns. In his “cute kitty” mode, Kuro loves sipping on catnip wine and napping.
7. Artemis and Luna — Sailor Moon
Although Artemis and Luna are not regular cats, all anime lovers will surely remember them in this guise. What is cool about these characters is that they serve not only as comedic relief but also as wise advisors for Usagi and other characters. Luna and Artemis also have a daughter named Diana, and she’s just as adorable.
8. Catbus — My Neighbor Totoro
Like all the characters from My Neighbor Totoro, Catbus looks very strange, making him an instant star of the movie. This forest spirit is a hybrid of a 12-legged cat and a bus, hence the name “catbus.” By the way, the Catbus served as the prototype for the creation of Appa in Avatar: The Last Airbender.
9. Happy — Fairy Tail
Happy is one of the most cheerful characters in the series. Along with the main characters, he is a full member of the Fairy Tail guild and Natsu’s best friend. Happy loves to tease Lucy when he’s not eating a tasty fish.
10. Chi — Chi’s Sweet Home
And finally, we have the cat from “Chi’s Sweet Home” — an adorable manga and anime perfect for any cat lover. This is a story about an abandoned homeless kitten who the Yamada family adopted. The short 3-minute episodes show the adventures and everyday moments of Chi’s life as she explores the world with her new family. Absolutely adorable and worth watching.