Kemonomimi (獣耳) literally means “animal ears,” and refers to anime and manga characters who have animal features or characteristics on their bodies.
So, what distinguishes kemonomimi from other characters, such as monster females or furries?
Although kemonomimi are related to animals, animal traits are usually relatively modest, often limited to the ears and tail. To remain humanoid, the remaining kemonomimi figures must take human shape.
Furthermore, these animal characteristics may not always have to be original elements of their bodies. Even if they merely utilize an accessory like cat ears or something similar, as long as the accessory accurately represents the character’s qualities, they can be classified as kemonomimi characters.
So, a kemonomimi is a human character with animal features that doesn’t have all of their human parts taken away or changed.
Kemonomimi, Moe Elements Addition
Cuteness is associated with animals such as cats and dogs. The combination of the human body with the cuteness of animals is the key to kemonomimi. When these animals’ major qualities are incorporated into an anime character, it increases the cuteness of the figure, making it more moe.
In general, there is no limit to the varieties of animals that can be applied to kemonomimi. Certain varieties of kemonomimi, on the other hand, are well-known enough to warrant their own classification. Here are some examples of well-known kemonomimi:
Nekomimi
One of the most common varieties of kemonomimi is nekomimi, which translates as “cat ears.” In fact, it’s possible that the kemonomimi fad began here. The popularity of nekomimi is also founded on the Japanese people’s love of cats.
Nekomimi is a cat-based kemonomimi, as the name implies. Cat ears, cat tails, or other cat traits such as cat claws or cat whiskers are frequently employed. Here are some examples of anime characters with nekomimi:
Momomiya Ichigo (Tokyo Mew Mew)
The main character of the Tokyo Mew Mew series is Ichigo Momomiya.
Ichigo’s hair is done in twintails with a red ribbon. Ichigo’s hair changes pink as she transforms into Mew Mew, and she gains two cat ears and a black cat tail.
Hanekawa Tsubasa (Monogatari)
Tsubasa Hanekawa is one of the Monogatari series’ heroines.
Hanekawa had black hair at first, but when Sawarineko took over her body, she transformed into Black Hanekawa, giving her a cat-like appearance.
Catherine (Gintama)
Amanto is an alien term in the Gintama series. Catherine is a Amanto race that has characteristics like a cat. Catherine herself has two brown cat ears.
Kitsunemimi
This type of kemonomimi called Kitsunemimi, or “fox ears,” is a phrase used to describe anime characters who have fox-like features on their bodies.
Kitsunemimi are typically linked with kitsune, which are fox yokai in Japanese mythology who incarnate as people.
This link could also be one of the factors that contributed to the kitsunemimi’s popularity. Here are some examples of anime characters who have kitsunemimi:
Senko-san (Sewayyaki Kitsune no Senko-san)
Senko-san is an 800-year-old kitsune. She dressed as a little girl with fox ears and hair.
She was dispatched from the spirit world to liberate Nakano, a salaryman, from his overworked and stressful existence.
Yuel (Granblue Fantasy)
Yuel is a Granblue Fantasy series character. She is a member of the Erune race, which has fuzzy animal traits. Yuel is synonymous with fox creatures.
Hatsuse Izuna (No Game No Life)
Hatsuse Izuna is a No Game No Life series Werebeast girl.
The Werebeast is a race with human and animal features, and Hatsune possesses fox ears and a tail.
Hatsune was a previous Werebeast ambassador who was defeated by Sora and Shiro.
Usagimimi
Usagimi, known as “rabbit ears,” are kemonomimi inspired by the animal rabbit. Here are some examples of anime characters with usagimimi:
Black Rabbit (Mondaiji)
Black Rabbit is a Mondaiji series resident of Little Garden. Her race, the “Moon Rabbit,” is distinguished by her long blue hair, ruby eyes, and two bunny ears. Her hair will turn a brilliant pink color while she is in fight mode.
Nana Abe (Cinderella Girls Idolm@ster)
Another kemonomimi girl is Nana Abe, one of the Idolmaster Cinderella Girls series idols.
Nana uses the character Rabbit to represent herself as an idol. In every concert, she dresses like a bunny girl, complete with two bunny ears.
Loei Nashetania (Rokka No Yuusha)
Nashetania is one of the Rokka No Yuusha series’ six heroes.
She was the country of Piena’s first princess. Her hair is long and flaxen, and she constantly wears two bunny ears as an adornment.
Inumimi
Known as “dog ears,” this type of kemonomimi with canine-like traits. Inumimi, like in the real world, frequently become nekomimi rivals.
Inuyasha (Inuyasha)
Inuyasha is the series’ main character. Because he is a fatmixed spirit, half human and half yokai, he has white hair and two dog ears.
Biscotti Millhiore Firianno (Dog Days)
Millhiore Firianno Biscotti is a 13-year-old princess and representative of the Biscotti Republic in the Dog Days series. Millhiore has long pink hair as well as the ears and tail of a dog.
Pochi (Death March)
Satou buys Pochi, a slave from the Death March series. Pochi resembles a regular human child, with bobbed brown hair and dog ears and a tail.
Aside from the fundamental forms of kemonomimi mentioned above, there are numerous different types of kemonomimi.
