Pose & style reference · Outfits and accessories
Cat ears (nekomimi)
Also called: nekomimi, cat ear headband, 猫耳, kemonomimi
In short
Cat ears, or nekomimi in Japanese, are triangular cat-like ears worn on a headband or hood, or drawn as part of a character's body. They are the best-known kind of kemonomimi, characters with animal ears, and they usually suggest a playful, curious or independent personality.
Reference photos
Photos are shown from mfan8.com with credit to the photographers and models. Tap a photo to open the full set.
What cat ears mean in character design
Cat ears add a hint of animal behaviour without turning a character into an animal. They tend to go with cat-like traits: curiosity, mischief, aloofness that turns affectionate, or a love of naps. Ears that move with emotion also give artists an extra way to show feelings.
As an accessory, the cat ear headband is a staple of cosplay, events and casual fashion, and it pairs well with maid outfits, hoodies and the paw-hand pose.
Kinds of cat ears
| Type | How it looks | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Headband ears | Two fabric or plastic triangles on a band | Costume, everyday cute accessory |
| Hood ears | Ears sewn on a hoodie or onesie hood | Casual, cosy |
| Natural cat ears | Ears grow from the head, fur matches hair colour | Kemonomimi characters |
| Hair cat ears | Hair styled or buns shaped into points | Subtle, hairstyle-based |
| Ear expressions | Upright, swivelled back or flattened | Alert, irritated, sad or scared |
How to draw cat ears
- Place them on the top of the skull, roughly above the outer corners of the eyes, angled slightly outward. Too far forward looks like horns; too low looks like a second pair of human ears.
- Each ear is a curved triangle with a thick base; the inner side is a cupped hollow, so draw an inner line and a tuft of fur.
- Let hair overlap the base so the ears look rooted. For headbands, show the band crossing the head behind the bangs.
- Decide whether the character also has human ears. Many artists hide that area under hair to avoid the four-ears question.
- In a three-quarter view the far ear turns and narrows; do not draw both ears flat to the viewer.
Wearing and posing with cat ears
Match the ear colour to the wig or hair so the headband disappears, and position the band slightly behind the hairline. Wire-backed ears can be bent to suggest expressions.
Pair them with cat-like poses: paw hands near the face, a head tilt, crouching or stretching like a cat. Shoot from slightly above eye level for an innocent, curious look, and leave space above the head so the ears are not cropped.
FAQ
What does nekomimi mean?
Nekomimi is Japanese for cat ears, from neko (cat) and mimi (ears). It also refers to characters with cat ears.
What is kemonomimi?
Kemonomimi means animal ears and covers any character with animal ears, such as cats, foxes, dogs or rabbits, on an otherwise human body.
Where should cat ears go on a head?
On the top of the head, toward the sides, roughly above the outer corners of the eyes, angled slightly outward.