Nekomimi

Lately there are a lot of teen and 20-something girls sprouting cat tails and ears around here. Nekomimi must be in the water. Nekomimi ( literally cat ears) is a style of cosplay or anime/manga character that is human in all ways except having cat ears, a tail, and cat like behavior. They are often playful, mischievous, do cat gestures, and meow (or nya since that is the Japanese onomatopoeia).

What used to be something you see at a convention has spilled into the everyday.It isn’t unusual to see a girl (most often college age) walking around with cat ears and a tail. They also tend to dress goth-lolita or in maid outfits. It is kinda odd seeing them at Walmart or at the mall. Some of the more extreme nekomimi even meow when they talk to people. Considering this is a rural area, seeing nekomimi regularly is rather surprising.

In Japan, nekomimi have gone a step further than just a plush cat-ear hair band. Neurowear is a fashion company that has developed cat ears that respond to the emotions of the wearer, just like in anime. When the wearer is concentrating, the ears perk up. When relaxed, the ears lie down. They will even bob when the wearer is very interested in something.

Here is the company’s concept trailer:

I don’t see any harm in a girl dressing up as a neko. It is rather odd to go about the normal day that way, but it can be rather cute. Nekomimi are a part of the kawaii focus Japan has. Although it isn’t entirely a Japanese export. Since 1940 we’ve had our nekomimi in comics: Catwoman and the Cheetah for example. We also have the musical Cats. So catgirls are not really that new. They are just more popular and a lot more kawaii than the catgirls from American comics.What is new is how catgirls are on the prowl everyday instead of just conventions.