Interest
Celebrate Cat Day With Anime, Manga & ANN Staff Kitties!
posted on by Lynzee Loveridge
It's February 22, Japan's dedicated day just for felines. The date's designation goes back at least to 1987 with the establishment of Japan's Cat Day Executive Committee and fans of furry friends have enjoyed reading the date as "nyan nyan nyan" ever since. We here at Anime News Network are no strangers to the friendship of cats, so in honor of Cat Day we decided to introduce our hardworking "staff" of support cats, recommend some cat-spirited anime to tune into, a collection of cat-centric manga to read, and show how anime staff in Japan spent the day.
ANN Adjunct Feline News Division
Name: Kyo
Parent: CEO & Publisher Chris Macdonald
Age: 15
Favorite things: Finding a nice warm spot to sit in the sun and contemplate the end of the human race.
Name: Boston
Parents: Editorial Executive Editor Zac Bertschy & Editorial Assistant Editor Jacob Chapman
Age: 7
Fun facts: Was found by a shelter beneath a freeway underpass, apparently abandoned by people who did not understand his beauty and power. He meows a lot, has big feelings, and is a good boy.
Name: Philadelphia (Philly)
Parents: Editorial Executive Editor Zac Bertschy & Editorial Assistant Editor Jacob Chapman
Age: 2
Fun Facts: She was found on the street with a burned face and permanently damaged vocal chords, but has since recovered. She still can't really meow, but she can definitely make her little voice heard. She is a spoiled, sweet cat who is greatly loved by her owners.
Name: Isidore Drinks Darjeeling (Izzy)
Parent: Interest Managing Editor Lynzee Loveridge
Age: 8-ish
Favorite Things: Sleeping on her parents' chest, standing in front of the computer monitor, zooming through the house at 8pm, stealing chicken in the middle of the night, and hiding in piles of fabric. She will daintily drink your tea with her paw if you put milk in it. She has brought multiple snakes into the house and won. A sassy lady.
Names: Zephyr (black and white), Loki (white Japanese Bobtail), Lily (tabby and white), and Boo (black fluffball)
Parent: Newsroom Associate Editor Jennifer Sherman
Ages: 8, 9, 14, and 9
Fun Facts: Zephyr and Loki came to the States straight from the streets of rural Japan. When not napping, they enjoy snacks and meowing. Zephyr has been known to steal bread off counters. Loki has one blue eye and one yellow eye. Lily and Boo also enjoy naps on Caturday or any day. Typical nosy neighbors, they often stare obsessively out windows to make sure their feline brethren don't invade their territory. Both unleash death rays from their eyes when humans wait too long to provide meals.
Looking for a surefire playlist to watch with your cat today? Here's our list of anime recommendations to stream, all centering on or around mischievous cats.
The Purr-fect Anime Recommendations for Cat Day
A stray cat finds an unlikely home with an isolated novelist name Subaru who doesn't care much for people or anyone, really. The unexpected companionship helps teach Subaru the value of friends and family and reconnect to others. Also, each episode contains two parts with the second taking place purely from the cat's point of view.
A tear-jerker to be sure, this four episode series expands Makoto Shinkai's previous black and white animated short. The anime follows a college age woman and her black cat as they face everyday emotional trials.
This story-within-a-story by studio Ghibli brings to life Whisper of the Heart character Shizuku Tsukishima's novel. A 17-year-old girl named Haru finds herself whisked away on an adventure by the Prince of Cats after she saves him from a traffic accident. However, that decision causes Haru to become trapped in the world of cats and only the cat-man Baron Humbert von Gikkingen and Muta can save her.
The daily adventures of a kitten named Chi and its equally adorable animal friends play out in this heartfelt, low-stakes series.
Revisit the anime of your childhood! It's super-powered felines fighting in Little Tokyo, that is when they aren't cooking up delicious pizza. Things can't stay peaceful for long with plots by the nefarious "Big Cheese" around every corner.
Sometimes a cat only becomes more endearing the more ridiculous it looks. Poyopoyo is a light-hearted comedy starring a spherical orange tabby and its cuddly adventures.
Not strictly about cats, but the show wouldn't be the same without the Nyanko-san, a powerful yokai that looks like a beckoning cat. He's always right along side Natsume on his quest to obtain the names of various other yokai (so long as he gets to inherit the book in the end).
Curl Up With Your Cat & A Good Manga
Plum, as her family calls her, is a tiger-striped cat that lives with Miss Nakari, a single mother to her teenaged son, Taku. Plum can understand what people say to her, and she can even tell what's in their minds. She also has many friends among the neighborhood cats. All is well in her everyday life, until the day a mischievous kitten named Snowball joins Plum's happy household. Will the naughty little newcomer turn Plum's world completely topsy turvy? Or will Snowball make her life even sweeter?
Cat Paradise
Nine lives might not be enough to survive this catfight! At Matabi Academy, students are allowed to bring their pet cats to the dorms. For Yumi Hayakawa, whose favorite hobby is making clothes for her kitty Kansuke, Matabi seems like a sure bet. After all, nothing can possibly go wrong with her best friend at her side! But on the first day of school, the two find themselves face-to-face with a murderous demonic minion on campus! Will Yumi and Kansuke be able to defend themselves and their school against an ancient cat demon's thirst for vengeance?
Nekogahara: Stray Cat Samurai
In medieval Japan, it's a hard life for a stray cat. Every day is filled with struggles and prejudice, from oppression by fellow cats working for cruel masters to extortion by catnip druglords. But being a stray also means incredible pride and independence. The wandering samurai Norachiyo has no master, though he still wears the telltale bell of a cat who has a “person.” This rogue warrior travels across Japan, protecting the weak and cutting down those who have forgotten the virtues of being a stray—all with unrivaled swordsmanship. Although Norachiyo leaves little trace but his fearsome reputation, this enigmatic warrior has made plenty of enemies who are more than willing to get their claws on his head. Will Norachiyo's past catch up with him, or can he spend his nine lives in freedom?
Junji Ito's Cat Diary: Yon & Mu
Hell-o-kitty! Master of Japanese horror manga Junji Ito presents a series of hissterical tales chronicling his real-life trials and tribulations of becoming a cat owner. Junji Ito, as J-kun, has recently built a new house and has invited his financée, A-ko, to live with him. Little did he know … his blushing bride-to-be has some unexpected company in tow—Yon, a ghastly-looking family cat, and Mu, an adorable Norwegian forest cat. Despite being a dog person, J-kun finds himself purrsuaded by their odd cuteness and thus begins his comedic struggle to gain the affection of his new feline friends.
Milkyway Hitchhiking
There are as many people on Earth as there are stars in the sky. Milkyway--a peculiar cat with a pattern of the Milky Way splashed across her back--travels across time and space; sometimes to observe, other times to interact with an unfolding story. From Sirial, the creator of One Fine Day, comes the full-color tale of Milkyway hitchhiking across the bright stars of people's lives, loves, tears, and laughter.
Nyankees
Ryuusei's a drifter, living life as it comes and taking things as he finds them. He's just wandered into a new city and is trying to get a feel for the situation, which is complicated when he runs afoul of Taiga and his band. When Ryuusei unexpectedly defeats Taiga, he's offered leadership, but before he can decide, things heat up with a neighboring gang. And did I mention that all of these characters are cats?
Industry Celebrates Its Beloved Cats
Here's a collection of social media posts from anime staff, companies, and talent celebrating Cat Day.
Mr. Osomatsu mobile game
本日2月22日は#猫の日(=・ω・=)#おそ松さん #たび松 #にゃんにゃんにゃんの日 pic.twitter.com/DLlPVmWIWt
— おそ松さんのニートスゴロクぶらり旅 公式 (@tabimatsu_game) February 22, 2019
Bungo Stray Dogs
【222猫の日!】本日はにゃんにゃんにゃん!猫の日です!
— アニメ「文豪ストレイドッグス」公式 (@bungosd_anime) February 21, 2019
文豪ストレイドッグスで猫と云えば……!敦くん!一日限定のアイコンとヘッダーでよろしくお願いしますにゃん。ガオ!ガオガオ!#bungosd pic.twitter.com/ElyGFICxMr
【222猫の日!】今日はねこのひなので猫まみれににゃってるにゃ!国木田さんはいつも予定を立てててえらいにゃー pic.twitter.com/8z6qSsQd57
— アニメ「文豪ストレイドッグス」公式 (@bungosd_anime) February 22, 2019
【222猫の日!】鏡花ちゃん、湯豆府はふーふーして食べるにゃよ!ヤケドにはきをつけるにゃ。 pic.twitter.com/DJ0L6w091g
— アニメ「文豪ストレイドッグス」公式 (@bungosd_anime) February 22, 2019
【222猫の日!】賢治くん、陽だまりでお昼寝してても、お八つだよー!の声が聞こえてよかったにゃ!今日のお八つは煮干しかにゃ? pic.twitter.com/prA3r96bC6
— アニメ「文豪ストレイドッグス」公式 (@bungosd_anime) February 22, 2019
【222猫の日!】太宰さん、今日はこたつで丸くにゃるのがお仕事との事で、探偵社はお休みの日です。おはにゃがカピカピにならないようにお水はちゃんと飲んでくださいね! #bungosd pic.twitter.com/0r6ECNB6b7
— アニメ「文豪ストレイドッグス」公式 (@bungosd_anime) February 22, 2019
Hozuki's Coolheadedness app
今日は #猫の日
— アプリ『鬼灯の冷徹~地獄のパズルも君次第』事前登録受付中! (@hozuki_app) February 22, 2019
ということで朝から各所大変賑わっておりますが、 #鬼灯パズル からはこの方(この猫)の描きおろし絵を公開‼️
小判ニャンも楽しみにしてくれている『#鬼灯の冷徹~地獄のパズルも君次第』は事前登録受付中🌟詳しくはコチラから→ https://t.co/rT5erIZyGo#ネコの日 #ねこの日 pic.twitter.com/vpKKwPS8CJ
Yotsuba@!
おはようございます。
— よつばとツイッター (@428and_tweet) February 21, 2019
今日はにゃんの日? pic.twitter.com/7HUuSr6LdJ
My Roommate is a Cat
/#猫の日
— TVアニメ「同居人はひざ、時々、頭のうえ。」放送中! (@hizaue_pr) February 22, 2019
キャストの猫ちゃんをご紹介
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公募によりエンドカードで紹介する猫写真を選んでいただいた際に、キャスト陣より「ぜひ我が家の猫も紹介してほしい!!」との声があがったことから実現したこの企画!!
小野さん、山崎さん、安済さん、中島さんの愛猫をご紹介していきますよ!#ひざうえ pic.twitter.com/xUgnZ520la
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— TVアニメ「同居人はひざ、時々、頭のうえ。」放送中! (@hizaue_pr) February 22, 2019
キャストの猫ちゃんをご紹介!!
小野賢章さん!!
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小野さんの愛猫「まつり」ちゃん!ベンガルの可愛い猫ちゃんです!
小野さんが猫をテーマに様々なことに挑戦する動画番組第1~4回も配信中です!
ぜひご覧ください!⇒https://t.co/FzVUfvxROQ#ひざうえ #猫の日 pic.twitter.com/p4HIeJLWmL
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— TVアニメ「同居人はひざ、時々、頭のうえ。」放送中! (@hizaue_pr) February 22, 2019
キャストの猫ちゃんをご紹介!!
山崎はるかさん!!
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山崎さんの愛猫「ノエル」ちゃんと「ミシェル」くん!
山崎さんのTwitter(@yamazaki_haruka)にも猫への愛が満載ですよ#ひざうえ #猫の日 #山崎さん家のノエル #山崎さん家のミシェル pic.twitter.com/uJNeXAletI
Dimension High School
今日は #猫の日 ということで!
— 『Dimensionハイスクール』公式 (@dimension_hs) February 22, 2019
撮影期間中、よく遊びに来てくれた猫さんをご紹介❣ #Dスク メンバーはもちろんスタッフにも大人気だったこのお方
撮影現場のアイドルでした#にゃんにゃんにゃんの日 #Dスク裏話 pic.twitter.com/QsvB32Xsqi
Umi Sakurai (Oji-sama to Neko)
本日2月22日は #猫の日 です!
— 桜井海 (@sakurai_umi_) February 22, 2019
「おじさまと猫」1巻の発売日でした( ;∀;)しみじみ
お手に取ってくださった皆様、ありがとうございます!#猫の日#ネコの日#にゃんにゃんにゃんの日#猫の写真へたくそ選手権
トラ猫さんの絵文字を描きました(*´∀'*)
このタグに付きますので、よろしくです! pic.twitter.com/dslvlohNqZ
Pokemon
本日2月22日は #猫の日#ネコの日 #にゃんにゃんにゃんの日https://t.co/DrxjL6bdWV pic.twitter.com/hcBtJGGtcw
— 【公式】ポケモン情報局 (@poke_times) February 22, 2019
Cinnamon
にゃにゃにゃぁーーーー #猫の日 pic.twitter.com/JwNat6nyQB
— シナモン【公式】 (@cinnamon_sanrio) February 22, 2019
Rilakkuma
きょう2月22日は、にゃんにゃんにゃん
— リラックマごゆるりサイト【公式】 (@rilakkuma_gyr) February 21, 2019
猫の日
リラックマたちもネコになってみたのかニャ?#猫の日 #ネコの日 pic.twitter.com/zouIa8sgRC
Takara Tomy
本日2月22日は、
— タカラトミー (@takaratomytoys) February 21, 2019
ニャーニャーニャーで #猫の日
pic.twitter.com/sz4ZFja5vv
Atsushi Kousaka
#猫の日#ねころび#にゃんにゃんにゃんの日 #ねころび男子 pic.twitter.com/7YETyHn949
— 髙坂篤志 (高坂篤志) (@achusi49kg) February 22, 2019
Junichi Suwabe
このあと13時半から&CAST!!!にて昨晩の木曜ラブナイツ!の再配信でございます。お時間ありましたらゼヒ。 pic.twitter.com/4JO6FJRhuK
— 諏訪部順一 Junichi Suwabe (@MY_MURMUR) February 22, 2019
Jouji Nakata
モルガナにはすまないが、やはり[ゴウト cv.中田譲治]で!#アトラスねこの日 pic.twitter.com/Tpr4jq3p3i
— 中田譲治 (@joujinakata123) February 22, 2019
Wataru Hatano
にゃんにゃんにゃんの日ということで。
— 羽多野渉 公式 (@hatano_official) February 22, 2019
ウチの小さきもの (小さくはない)のお気に入りスポット!
触り心地がいいのかな?
守ってくれてありがとうアドニスくん。
それでは、ライブリハ行ってきます‼︎ pic.twitter.com/qZmemLmsDJ
Daiki Hamano
#ねころび#猫の日#にゃんにゃんにゃんの日 pic.twitter.com/HVkBMirY4n
— 濱野大輝 (@daikiteasy) February 21, 2019
Natsuki Hanae
若かりしふたり…#猫の日 pic.twitter.com/FLWLTZoUPF
— 花江 夏樹 (@hanae0626) February 22, 2019
衝撃の可愛さ#ニャンニャンニャンの日 #おはスタ pic.twitter.com/M0BZuVA1Nn
— 花江 夏樹 (@hanae0626) February 21, 2019
Yusuke Shirai
本日も『ねころび男子』ご視聴ありがとうございました
— 白井悠介 (@shirai_universe) February 21, 2019
前半かなりバタバタしてしまったにも関わらず後半スッと終わってしまってすみませんでした(>_<)
ボケの連鎖って怖いね(笑)
次回のゲストはなんと3回目の登場!!
たかじんこと高塚智人くん\(^o^)/
#ねころび #ねころび男子 #猫の日 pic.twitter.com/EypWRGRKFY
#猫の日 #にゃんにゃんにゃんの日 #ねころび #ねころび男子 pic.twitter.com/rG1TcT5enX
— 白井悠介 (@shirai_universe) February 21, 2019
Shūta Morishima
今日は素敵な日ですね
— 森嶋秀太@2/20 Argonavis ゴールライン 発売! (@morishimazo) February 22, 2019
くるみです#猫の日 #にゃんにゃんにゃんの日 pic.twitter.com/F0YieizP9Z
Daiki Yamashita
猫の日 pic.twitter.com/cPta63W2FK
— 山下大輝 (@DaiKing_boy) February 22, 2019
Jun'ichi Fujisaku (scriptwriter)
猫の日らしいので。#ダイヤのA #猫の日 pic.twitter.com/Ox8E0mv63u
— 藤咲淳一@私 (@fujimarl) February 22, 2019
I hope you enjoyed this special cat post! Share your favorite kittens in the forums!
[Via Nijimen]
this article has been modified since it was originally posted; see change history