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"Kemonomimi" (JP) is a term for a human character who has animal ears. They will usually also have an animal tail as well, but this is not required. Aside from these two traits they otherwise look like a normal human. It is a form of moe anthropomorphism, which takes animals and turns them into cute human characters.
Etymology
Meaning of the Term
Kemonomimi (獣耳) comes from the word "kemono" (獣), meaning "animal" or "beast", and "mimi" (耳), meaning "ears".[1]
Alternate Name
It is also sometimes abbreviated to "kemomimi" (ケモミミ).[2][3]
Characteristics
Appearance
Kemonomimi are human characters who have animal ears. This is almost always paired with an animal tail as well, though this is not required. They are usually designed with animal ears attached to the top or sides of the head of a human-shaped character. Adding animal ears to a character gives them a cute or pet-like image.[1]
Personality
Kemonomimi take after the animals they are based on. They are typically very loyal and stand by someone after they form a connection. They are often very kind and affectionate, sharing traits of a deredere.
It's also not uncommon for kemonomimi to make sounds or otherwise imitate the animal they are based on, such as a cat-based kemonomimi saying "nyan" (meow) and batting their hands like paws.
Characters with nyandere or wandere personalities might wear fake animal ears or style their hair to mimic the look of kemonomimi and make themselves look cute, but they themselves are not considered to be one since they are not actually part animal.
Sub-Types
Kemonomimi sub-types are a combination of the animal they are based on + "mimi" (ears).
Kemonomimi can have traits of any animal, but the most common types are listed below.
Nekomimi
"Nekomimi" (JP) are characters that have cat ears.[4]
They are usually presented as being kind and innocent, often being described as moe. They are very affectionate and love to cuddle with those they are close with. Those who also show their affection in a cat-like manner are referred to as nyandere.
Inumimi | 犬耳
Inumimi, or dog girls/boys, are characters that have dog ears.[1] Characters that have wolf ears are referred to as ookamimimi, or wolf girls/boys.[2]
Depending on the type of a dog they are based on an inumimi may have droopy ears in comparison to the typical sharp ears of most kemonomimi.
Inumimi that are based on smaller dogs will usually be presented as kind and playful, while ones that are based on larger dogs may have a rougher edge to them and be more serious. Ookamimimi will often be more ferocious or aggressive at times.
Kitsunemimi | 狐耳
Kitsunemimi, or fox girls/boys, are characters that have fox ears. They will often have nine-tails, being inspired by the legends of the nine-tailed fox, but only having one tail is not uncommon.[3]
They are usually presented as being wise and cunning.
Usagimimi | 兎耳
Usagimimi, or rabbit girls/boys, are characters that have rabbit ears.[4]
This term can also be called Usamimi (うさみみ). [5]
They are usually presented as being very energetic or hyper, sharing similar traits to genkikko. They are typically very cute and kind, even being described as moe.
Miscellaneous
Other common types include:
- Butamimi (豚耳): Pig ears[6]
- Hitsujimimi (羊耳): Sheep ears[7]
- Kumamimi (熊耳): Bear ears[8]
- Nezumimi (ねずみみ): Mouse ears[9]
- Raionmimi (ライオン耳): Lion ears[10]
- Tanukimimi (狸耳): Tanuki ears[11]
- Toramimi (虎耳): Tiger ears[12]
- Ushimimi (牛耳): Cow ears[13]
Differences From Other Archetypes
Juujin and Kemono

A graphic showing off the visual differences with Luna from Sailor Moon, Shirou Ogami from BNA: Brand New Animal and Cyan from Show by Rock!!.
The kemonomimi archetype is often confused for juujin and kemono.
Characters that are humanoid but with a complete hybrid animal appearance are referred to as juujin instead. The difference here is that juujin will not have a human face, no visible human parts, such as skin, and are completely covered in fur, scales, feathers, etc., while kemonomimi are almost entirely human in appearance, aside from these few parts. Kemonomimi can be thought of as humans with partial animal features, while juujin are a full hybrid between a human and an animal.
Characters that are entirely animal in appearance are referred to as simply kemono, or beast instead. The difference here is that they have no distinctive human features other than having the ability to talk or walk upright. Kemonomimi can be thought of as a human character with subtle animal features, while kemono are the complete inverse and are animals with subtle human features.[14]
Monster Musume
Kemonomimi are similar to monster musume, but the difference is monster musume are based on fictional or mythological creatures while kemonomimi are based on real animals. It's also not uncommon for monster musume to be entirely covered in monster parts, while kemonomimi only have a bare minimum of animal parts.
Similar Japanese Archetypes
- Gijinka: A term for a turning a non-human object into a cute human character.
- Juujin: A term for a hybrid humanoid animal character.
- Kemono: A term for an animal character that has human traits.
- Monster Musume: A term for a beautiful female character that shares traits with a monster.
- Nyandere: A term for a nekomimi character who expresses their love for their love interest by getting intimate with them in the same way a cat does.
- Wandere: A term for a character who expresses their affection for their love interest by acting like a dog towards them.
List of Characters
Gallery
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 What is Kemonomimi. Pixiv Encyclopedia. “Kemonomimi have long been recognized as one of the representative moe elements. The design mainly takes the form of a humanoid character with animal ears attached to the top or side of its head. The animal ears can give the character a cute or pet-like image.”
- ↑ What is Kemomimi. Pixiv Encyclopedia. “The term "kemomimi" is an abbreviation for "kemonomimi".”
- ↑ Kemono Musume Shoutai ni Yaruki Nashi Shirei-kan ga Chakunin Shimashita.. Kadokawa (2015/07/30). “The fort is deep in the mountains. The subordinates are kemomimi girls - to protect the best left destination, the lazy man takes charge! A fantasy military story of a kemono girl begins!”
- ↑ What is Nekomimi. Pixiv Encyclopedia. “A character who is human-like but with cat ears. Nekomimi have established themselves as a moe element in otaku culture. In some cases, a tail is added to the cat's ears to increase the degree of catiness. Depending on the drawer's preference, cat ears can be placed on the top of the head, on the side, or even on the human ear. In many cases, the image of the cat itself suggests a free-spirited character.”
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