Anime characters can have a wide range of magical abilities, ranging from superpowers that give them massive advantages in combat to unconventional skills that may only be useful in a handful of scenarios. One such unorthodox ability is turning into a cat.
While most felines in anime are lovable housepets or friendly companions who keep the heroes company across their journey, there's a surprising number of humans who can turn into cats. Some of them can turn into one at the drop of a hat, while others have feline-like features that set them apart from the rest.
10 Rokumon Has Three Forms (Rin-Ne)
In Rin-ne, Rokumon is a cat boy who entered a contract with a Shinigami named Rinne who helps dead people reincarnate. Since he's a black cat, he's loyal to his Shinigami and always supports him.
Rokumon has three forms, one of which is a cat. He also has a humanoid form, but he still remains the size of an average housecat no matter what. He also has a demon form, in which his head becomes huge and is followed by a path of ominous clouds.
9 Cheshire Is Inspired By The Cheshire Cat From Alice In Wonderland (Pandora Hearts)
Cheshire from Pandora Hearts was originally a black cat who was given to Alice as a gift. Clearly, he's inspired by the iconic character from Alice In Wonderland. These days, Cheshire takes on a humanoid form and rocks gothic fashion.
Still, he retained some of his feline attributes like his pointy ears, claws, and dangerously sharp fangs. Interestingly, Cheshire still wears the belled collar that he wore when he was a cat. Plus, he's still fiercely protective over Alice, despite having transformed into a human.
8 Ichigo Momoiya's DNA Is Merged With An Iriomote Cat (Tokyo Mew Mew)
Ichigo from Tokyo Mew Mew can turn into a black cat, though her DNA is fused with an Iriomote. After turning into a cat, the only way she can turn back is by kissing someone.
Most of the time, however, her transformation only gives her a cat's tail and ears, so she still retains a humanoid form. Ichigo's transformation sequence is one of the flashiest in the series since her feline attributes only appear after a dazzling display of rainbow light and sparkles.
7 Tamako Is A Cat Specter From The Underworld (Isuca)
Cat girls are definitely not a new concept in anime, but Tamako from Isuca is unique. She's a two-tailed cat Specter from the Underworld. She has many cat-like qualities, like her pointy ears and dual tails.
She also acts a lot like a cat. She's very protective of Shinichiro and has remained loyal to him since he saved her. Though she tries to blend in with "normal" girls, her feline personality often jeopardizes that, especially since she meows at the end of every sentence.
6 Atsushi Can Turn Into A Tiger (Bungo Stray Dogs)
Like all the characters in the series, Atsushi from Bungo Stray Dogs has a unique ability. He can turn into a tiger, but he was unaware of it for most of his life. This led to years of ostracization, loneliness, and getting kicked out of his abusive orphanage.
He calls his ability the "Beast Beneath the Moonlight," and it allows him to transform into a white tiger. He's gotten to the point where he can control the ability, and he can even choose which body parts to turn into a tiger, like when he turns his hands into claws.
5 Haru Becomes A Cat After Entering The Cat's World (The Cat Returns)
Haru from The Cat Returns went on a journey through the Cat Kingdom that was certainly bizarre, but it was still a wholesome story. After going through the portal to the Cat's World, she shrinks down to the size of a cat. Plus, she grows ears and a tail.
She initally embarks on this journey because she saved the Cat King's son, Lune, from getting run over by a truck. She didn't expect anything in return but was shocked when the King ordered her to marry Lune.
4 Blair Is A Magical Cat (Soul Eater)
Blair from Soul Eater is a magical cat who can transform into a little purple feline with glowing yellow eyes. It seems like nothing can separate her from her signature witch hat, which she even wears in her cat form.
In her human form, she looks like a normal girl, but she still has a purple tail and cat ears, rather than human ears. She keeps the ears hidden by her hat, but the tail is a bit harder to disguise. Interestingly, she enjoys taking baths, despite the fact that cats normally hate water.
3 Yoruichi Shihouin Prefers Being A Cat (Bleach)
While it's unclear why Yoruichi from Bleach can turn into a cat, it's pretty obvious that she prefers being one. She turns into an average-sized black cat. Yoruichi has stayed in cat form for so long that she forgot all about human norms, and even forgot the importance of wearing clothes since she never needed them as a feline.
If someone makes fun of her cat-like appearance, Yoruichi will take it personally and will do anything to protect it. When her tail was injured, she was rightfully furious.
2 Sleepy Ash Is A Slothful Cat (SerVamp)
Sleepy Ash from Servamp acts like a lazy cat, even in his human form, so it's ironic that he turns into a black cat when he's exposed to sunlight. He's the Servamp of Sloth, so he's always tired and would rather play video games than deal with fighting. Though, this could be because he's a pacifist who refuses to drink blood unless he absolutely needs to.
Since he turns into a black cat, he's also called "Kuro," meaning "black" in Japanese. In his cat form, he's a fluffy black cat with defined fur lines and his signature black under-eye circles.
1 Kyo Is The Zodiac Cat (Fruits Basket)
Kyo from Fruits Basket is the Zodiac Cat. When he's hugged by someone of the opposite sex, he'll turn into an orange tabby cat. Like the rest of the Sohmas, the only reason he does this is because of their family curse.
Unfortunately for Kyo, the adorable orange tabby isn't his true form. His actual form is kept at bay because of his red and white bracelet. When it's removed, he turns into a grotesque monster, and even he's ashamed of it. Luckily, he was one of the first ones to break free of the Sohma family curse, so this doesn't affect him now.