The 20 Most Iconic Cat Characters in Anime

Anime expert Megan Blue shares the most popular anime cats

Co-authored by Megan Blue and Raven Minyard, BA

Last Updated: August 18, 2026 Fact Checked

There’s nothing more adorable than a cat…except an anime cat! Japan holds a deep affection for cats, and it shows with how many cat characters are found in anime. But which ones are the absolute best? We spoke with an anime expert and scoured the internet to compile a list of the most iconic anime cats of all time. Did your favorite make the list? Read on to find out!

The Best Anime Cats

Anime expert Megan Blue says Meowth from Pokémon, Jiji, Catbus, and Muta from Studio Ghibli, and Luna and Artemis from Sailor Moon are some of the most beloved anime cats. Other popular cats from anime include Chi from Chi’s Sweet Home, Haru from My Roommate is a Cat, and Doraemon from Doraemon.

1

Luna (Sailor Moon)

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According to Blue, Luna from Sailor Moon is “adorable and beloved by fans.”^{[1]
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Megan Blue
Anime Expert

Expert Interview} Luna, a black cat with a yellow moon on her forehead, is Sailor Moon’s trusty companion. She’s incredibly loyal and helps Sailor Moon in various fights. Luna can be a bit strict at times, but her sarcastic side also comes out when she teases Usagi.^{[2]
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- Love Sailor Moon? Take our “Which Sailor Moon Character Are You Most Like?” quiz to find out which Sailor best matches your personality!
Meet the wikiHow Expert

Megan Blue is an anime expert based in Ohio. She has over 25 years of experience watching anime and shares content online as @TheFangirlWatches.

2

Meowth (Pokémon)

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Blue says that any cat-like Pokémon are popular, but Meowth is probably the most recognizable.^{[3]
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Megan Blue
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Expert Interview} Meowth is the third member of Team Rocket, alongside Jessie and James. Despite being betrayed in the past, and being a villain, Meowth is incredibly loyal to his friends. He’s also very intelligent and comes up with cunning plans to steal Pokémon…even if those plans aren’t usually successful.^{[4]
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- Blue also lists Sprigatito, Litten, and Mew as other popular cat-like Pokémon.^{[5]
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3

The Baron (Whisper of the Heart and The Cat Returns)

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The Baron first graced our screens as a statue in Whisper of the Heart, and he made such an impression that he became a major character in the spin-off The Cat Returns. When human girl Haru is trapped in the Cat Realm, the suave Baron helps her escape. There’s nothing more charming than a cat in a top hat!^{[6]
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4

Jiji (Kiki’s Delivery Service)

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Blue explains that many Studio Ghibli felines are popular, such as Jiji from Kiki’s Delivery Service.^{[7]
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Megan Blue
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Expert Interview} Every witch needs a black cat, and Jiji happens to be the sarcastic, sassy sidekick to Kiki. He’s always delivering sassy lines, but at the end of the day, he supports Kiki through everything.^{[8]
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- Take our “Which Iconic Studio Ghibli Character Are You?” quiz to find out which character you’re most like!

5

Doraemon (Doraemon)

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Doraemon is the titular character from the classic anime of the same name. He’s not a real cat; he’s actually a robotic cat who travels back in time from the 22nd century to help a boy named Nobita. Doraemon is super intelligent and great at solving problems, but he’s also obsessed with Dorayaki, a type of Japanese confection, which leads to some humorous moments.^{[9]
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6

Haru (My Roommate Is a Cat)

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My Roommate Is a Cat follows a lonely young man named Subaru, who takes in a stray cat named Haru after his parents died in an accident. And Haru is exactly what he needed. She makes sure he takes care of himself, even if she causes chaos in the process. Their wholesome relationship is what makes the show so heartwarming.^{[10]
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7

Korin (Dragon Ball Z)

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Korin may look like an adorable, chubby, white cat, but he’s much more than that. He’s actually a skilled martial artist who’s over 800 years old. He’s helped train fighters like Goku, and he’s always giving wise advice to his students.^{[11]
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8

Happy (Fairy Tail)

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Okay, Happy technically isn’t a cat (he’s an Exceed), but he definitely looks and acts like one. He hates dogs, loves fish, and is a playful, sassy character who loves to play pranks on his companions. But beneath his carefree exterior, he actually cares about his friends a lot, and he always supports them in their various battles.^{[12]
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- Do you relate to Happy? Take our “Which Fairy Tail Character Are You?” quiz to find out which character you’re most like.

9

Chi (Chi’s Sweet Home!)

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Blue describes Chi as an “iconic cutie” who appears in a ton of memes.^{[13]
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Megan Blue
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Expert Interview} When Chi, an adorable kitten, gets lost, she’s taken in by a young boy. What makes Chi so great is the fact that she’s the absolute cutest. She’s young and naive, just like a real kitten, and part of the joy of the show is watching her interact with small objects.^{[14]
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10

Catbus (My Neighbor Totoro)

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Catbus is another popular Studio Ghibli cat, says Blue.^{[15]
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Megan Blue
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Expert Interview} Like his name suggests, Catbus is a giant cat that also happens to be a bus. He’s a minor character in My Neighbor Totoro, and he doesn’t actually have any lines, but his unique design makes him one of the most memorable cats in anime. His large grin makes him look mischievous, but he’s a good boy.^{[16]
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11

Yukichi (The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today)

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In The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today, workaholic Saku thinks she’s adopting a regular black kitten…until that kitten doesn’t stop growing and starts doing chores around the house. Yukichi agrees to help Saku around the house because she prevented him from starving, but now, he really loves cooking. And it’s pretty amusing to watch a giant cat walk around in an apron.^{[17]
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12

Nyanko-Sensei (Natsume’s Book of Friends)

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Also known as Madara, Nyanko-Sensei is one of the main characters in Natsume’s Book of Friends. He’s actually a powerful white wolf yokai who takes the form of a calico cat. He initially only teams up with Takashi Natsume to obtain the Book of Friends, but over time, Nyanko-Sensei becomes protective of him. One of the best things about this cat is that he claims he isn’t a cat—even though he certainly loves playing with cat toys.^{[18]
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13

The Cat King (The Cat Returns)

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In the English dub of The Cat Returns, the Cat King is voiced by the iconic Tim Curry, so there’s no way we couldn’t include him! The Cat King is the main antagonist. As the ruler of the Cat Realm, he’s determined to force Haru to marry his son and become a cat herself. He’s pretty pompous and self-absorbed, but that only makes him more entertaining to watch.^{[19]
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14

Nekomamushi (One Piece)

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Nekomamushi is definitely one of the most unique cats on our list. He’s an incredibly large yellow feline that more closely resembles a lion than a housecat. He wears clothes and walks on two legs, and he’s the former guardian of the Whale Forest on Zou. Once a member of the White Beard Pirates, he’s now an ally to the Straw Hats. He’s aggressive and stubborn, but he also portrays many cat-like behaviors.^{[20]
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15

Artemis (Sailor Moon)

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While not as well-known as Luna, Blue notes that Artemis is another popular cat character from Sailor Moon.^{[21]
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Megan Blue
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Expert Interview} Just as Luna is Sailor Moon’s companion, Artemis is Sailor Venus’s companion. He’s a white cat with a moon on his forehead, making him appear the exact opposite of Luna. Opposites attract though, as he and Luna are romantic partners who even have a daughter named Diana.^{[22]
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16

Sakamoto (Nichijou)

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Sakamoto is a black cat taken in by Nano and Hakase. They then give him a red scarf that allows him to speak to humans…but they regret it when they realize his personality isn’t as cute as they originally thought. Sakamoto speaks like a condescending middle-aged man, but he still acts like a silly cat, even though he tries to hide it.^{[23]
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17

Kirara (Inuyasha)

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Kirara is Sango’s nekomata, a cat demon with two tails. She mostly acts like a typical cat, but she’s incredibly loyal to Sango, as well as Inuyasha’s group. While she’s normally the size of a kitten, she also has a larger form that resembles a sabertooth tiger. She can also fly and generate flames, which makes her pretty cool in our book.^{[24]
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18

Muta (Whisper of the Heart and The Cat Returns)

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According to Blue, Muta is another beloved Studio Ghibli cat.^{[25]
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Megan Blue
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Expert Interview} Like the Baron, Muta is also based on a cat (Moon) in Whisper of the Heart, but he becomes his own character in The Cat Returns. Muta is a rather large cat with an even bigger appetite, and he can be pretty sarcastic and grumpy. However, he eventually warms up to Haru and helps her escape the Cat Realm.^{[26]
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19

Molly (The Ancient Magus Bride)

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Molly is the last King of Cats in the village of Ulthar. As a leader, she is strong and authoritative, and she remains calm in the face of danger. While regal, she’s also known to be affectionate with her human companion, Ally. She offers to lead misguided souls back to the cycle of reincarnation.^{[27]
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20

Kuro (Blue Exorcist)

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Kuro is Rin Okumura’s familiar. Kuro originally belonged to Rin’s adoptive father, Shiro Fujimoto, but when he dies, Kuro and Rin form a strong bond. What makes Kuro so interesting is that he’s not just a cat—he’s a sidhe. The sidhe are demons that possess cats, and, over time, can give them demon-like appearances. Kuro has two tails and little horns on his head.^{[28]
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