Please bear with me, reader, as we delve headfirst into this mystery, half-expecting a mysterious grin from a Cheshire Cat. The distinct aesthetics of anime characters are a result of the influence of Osamu Tezuka, who is frequently referred to as the “God of Manga.” As a devoted fan of Disney, Tezuka incorporated, modified, and possibly even anime-fied the Western-style cartoonish aesthetics into his works. This gave rise to the unique style of anime, which is defined by large, expressive eyes (which were initially influenced by Disney), exaggerated facial expressions, and a wide range of hair colors, from the ordinary to the fantastical.
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Let’s now unravel the second section of our tangled mystery. Is there any validity to the bold assertion that anime characters are subconsciously inspired by cats? Despite its absurdity, the distinction between reality and fiction becomes more hazy when we examine the anthropomorphic elements present in anime. Anthropomorphism, the practice of imputing human traits to animals, is as common in anime as hairballs are in the life of a long-haired cat. Consider beloved films such as “The Cat Returns” or “My Neighbor Totoro.” More overtly feline figures, such as Luna from “Sailor Moon,” essentially established the standard for anime characters that resemble cats.
At first glance, the solution appears as evident as a vibrant anime sky of azure: it all comes down to artistic style. However, if we are brave enough to go down the rabbit hole—or, more accurately, the cat’s den—we discover an unexpected turn in the story: what if anime characters are actually closely modeled after our feline companions?
With the popularity of Japanese anime growing, viewers have frequently been left scratching their heads over an intriguing puzzle (ideally without using cat claws). Strangely, anime characters don’t appear to have the facial features commonly associated with East Asians, despite coming from Japan. Really, are we going to overlook the fact that Naruto could pass for a surfer from California?
In anime and manga, realism is essential, and if you disagree with this idea in the slightest, you’re wrong. Anime is unrealistic in every way—from the powers to the world-building to the character designs—and it’s not even supposed that humans are the source of inspiration for the well-known and adored characters. That’s where cats come into the picture.
On TikTok and Instagram, the idea that these characters were modeled after cats went viral, and it’s not totally unfounded. In an effort to make the characters seem cute, they frequently have features from their faces, such as their noses and large eyes, that are similar to those of cats. A number of artists have also revealed how they transform a cat drawing into an anime character.
Ultimately, there is some truth to the theory that anime characters resemble cats, but it is not entirely accurate. Though there are enough indications to imply that it might just be a coincidence, it is definitely a plausible theory. Ultimately, the style of the artwork is determined by the illustrator and animator, rather than a strict guideline stating that characters must resemble cats.
The theory, in general, is fun but not incredibly accurate. The artwork of several manga and anime differs greatly from one another. Take Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, for instance. It’s difficult to believe that Jotaro took many cues from cats for his design. On the other hand, there are characters like Taiga from Toradora or Killua from Hunter x Hunter, whose whole gimmick in the series is centered around their cat-like features.
These characters are, however, eerily similar to cats. Large eyes, narrow noses, and tiny mouths—as cute and pretty as a pixel can get, that is—that are on the verge of being adorable You’ll notice that every character has a cat-like appearance now that you have the image of one in your head, and you’ll get as excited about it as I did. But do not worry; I am here to unravel the maze of questions swirling around in your brain.
FAQ
Are anime characters derived from cats?
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