The History of Neko Characters in Anime: From Folklore to Fan Favorites

Anime is a medium rich with fantastical characters, and among the most iconic are the “Neko” characters — those mysterious, mischievous, and often adorable beings with cat ears, tails, or feline traits. From their roots in Japanese folklore to their status as internet and anime culture darlings, neko characters have evolved into an essential part of anime storytelling.

What Are Neko Characters?

"Neko" means "cat" in Japanese, but in anime, it refers to characters who are either cat-human hybrids (often called nekomimi, or “cat ears”) or exhibit strong feline features and behaviors. These characters might purr, stretch lazily in the sun, or swipe at their enemies with claw-like precision.

The Folklore Roots: Bakeneko & Nekomata

Before neko characters graced TV screens and manga pages, they lived in Japanese legends. The bakeneko and nekomata were supernatural cat creatures — shape-shifting, mysterious, and sometimes malevolent. These yokai (spirits or demons) could walk on two legs and perform human-like actions, often appearing in Edo-period stories and woodblock prints.

Their mysterious charm made them ripe for reinterpretation in modern media, where they became less eerie and more endearing.

The First Neko in Anime?

One of the earliest known neko characters in anime is Luna from Sailor Moon (1992). Although not nekomimi, Luna is a talking black cat with a deeply emotional role, blending classic magical pet archetypes with human-like intelligence and emotional depth.

However, the modern-style nekomimi trope — humanoid girls with cat ears and sometimes tails — became prominent in the 1990s and early 2000s with series like:

- Tokyo Mew Mew (2002): A magical girl series where characters combine human DNA with endangered animals — the main character, Ichigo, is infused with Iriomote cat DNA.

- Loveless (2005): In a darker twist, some characters are shown with cat ears and tails, symbolizing innocence.

- Hyper Police (1997): Featuring a half-human, half-cat bounty hunter named Sasahara Natsuki — this series leaned heavily into cyberpunk and comedy.

The Rise of Moe & Neko-Moe

In the 2000s, as the “moe” (cute and lovable character) trend exploded in anime, so did the popularity of nekomimi characters. These characters embodied the ideal mix of adorable and mysterious — perfect for fan service and emotional hooks.

Series like:

- Spice and Wolf. (2008) — although featuring a wolf girl (Holo), it influenced the broader animal-eared girl trend.

- The Cat Returns (2002) by Studio Ghibli — brought a whimsical charm to feline characters with a fantasy twist.

- Nyan Koi! (2009) — centered entirely around a curse that allows the protagonist to talk to cats.

These shows made cat-eared characters more mainstream and diverse in tone.

Neko Characters in Modern Anime

Today, neko characters are everywhere — from Blake Belladonna in RWBY (Western anime-inspired) to Karyl in Princess Connect! Re:Dive, and Rem Galleu in How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord. They appear in action, romance, slice-of-life, and even isekai (alternate world) genres.

With the rise of VTubers, many streamers and digital idols now don neko designs, blending anime aesthetics with real-time digital performance — further blurring the line between fiction and fandom.

Why We Love Neko Characters

Neko characters tap into something universal — the blend of independence, affection, mystery, and playfulness that we associate with cats. In anime, they become avatars of those traits, whether they're shy and quiet or bold and mischievous. They also allow creators to explore human identity, transformation, and fantasy in a charming, accessible way.

Final Thoughts

From ancient ghost stories to digital waifus, neko characters have clawed their way into the heart of anime culture. Whether you’re a hardcore anime historian or just a casual fan of cute ears and tails, the legacy of neko characters is undeniable — and it's here to stay.

What’s your favorite neko character? Let us know in the comments!