Cat owners might not know it, but there’s a wide range of anime to enjoy. The best cat anime are must-watches for any feline fan.
Fans of both cats and anime can find many shows with lovable feline characters. These shows will evoke various emotions and have memorable stories.
Whether the cats are anthropomorphic, normal, or something in between, they’ve always been part of anime. Cat lovers will find that these top anime shows for cat owners are filled with adorable moments and plenty of cute cats to love.
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The Cat Returns
A Unique Film by Hiroyuki Morita
Details | |
Year | 2002 |
Length | 75 minutes |
Where to Watch | Max |
“The Cat Returns” is a delightful Studio Ghibli film. It features Haru, a young woman who saves a cat’s life. She then discovers that the cat is actually a prince from the Cat Kingdom.
Haru is soon engaged to this prince against her will. She seeks help from The Baron, Toto, and a cat named Muta.
When Haru is taken to the Cat Kingdom, she starts to turn into a cat the longer she stays. There, she learns the importance of believing in herself. “The Cat Returns” is a perfect adventure for young cat lovers.
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The Masterful Cat is Depressed Again Today
Based on the manga by Hitsuji Yamada
Details | |
Year Released | 2023 |
Episodes | 13 |
Streaming On | Crunchyroll |
“The Masterful Cat is Depressed Again Today” follows the life of Saku, a workaholic, and her stray cat, Yukichi. Yukichi starts as a regular cat but grows to the size of a bear. He takes over the household chores and enjoys cooking.
Viewers see many fun and touching moments between Saku and Yukichi. Usually, cat owners feel like they serve their cats, but Saku and Yukichi turn this idea around. Every cat owner would love a cat as helpful as Yukichi.
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Kiki’s Delivery Service
Based on the book by Eiko Kadono
Details | |
Year | 1989 |
Length | 102 minutes |
Available On | Max |
“Kiki’s Delivery Service” is a cherished film from Studio Ghibli. It tells the story of Kiki, a young witch, and her cat Jiji.
They move to a beautiful seaside town and have many adventures. This coming-of-age film focuses on Kiki’s self-discovery and adapting to work life. Even though it deals with burnout, there are many cute scenes of Jiji to cheer viewers up.
As Kiki learns more about her new town, Jiji is always by her side with his sassy support. He may complain sometimes, but he is always there to help Kiki when she needs him.
This makes him a loyal friend. “Kiki’s Delivery Service” is a classic, and anyone who loves cats will relate to Kiki and Jiji.
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Chi’s Sweet Home
Inspired by the Manga by Konami Kanata
Details | |
Year Released | 2008 |
Episodes | 284 |
Available on: | Prime Video, Crunchyroll |
“Chi’s Sweet Home” tells the story of Chi, a curious young kitten. She gets lost from her mother and siblings and is adopted by the Yamada family. The series shows her learning about the world and bonding with her new family.
Each episode is short, just a few minutes long, and matches a chapter from the manga. There are more than 200 episodes that follow Chi’s playful adventures. This makes it easy to binge-watch.
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Fruits Basket
Inspired by the Manga by Natsuki Takaya.
Details | |
Year Released | 2019 |
Episodes | 63 |
Available on: | Funimation, Hulu |
In “Fruits Basket,” many animals are represented, but cats are a major focus. The story follows Tohru, a young woman who moves in with the Sohma family. The Sohmas are cursed to turn into animals from the Zodiac when they get emotional.
The series is inspired by the Zodiac tale, explaining why the cat is not included. Tohru has always felt sympathy for the cat and likes it a lot.
Only some Sohmas represent Zodiac animals, including the excluded cat. The story is about Tohru’s life, the Sohma family’s tragic past, and the friendships she builds with them, especially with Kyo, who is cursed to turn into a cat.
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Nights With A Cat
Based on the Manga by Kyuryu Z
Details | |
Year Released | 2022 |
Episodes | 16 |
Available on: | Not available for streaming currently |
“Nights With A Cat” is a delightful anime about Fuuta and the cat his younger sister brought home, Kyuruga. The series showcases Kyuruga’s quirky and lovable personality, typical of cats. Fans love this comedy slice-of-life for its unique art style and the charming interactions between Fuuta and Kyuruga.
The second season came out in March 2023, and fans are eagerly waiting for news about a possible third season. “Nights With A Cat” is a must-watch for cat owners and anime enthusiasts.
Cat lovers and anime fans can find many great stories featuring these beloved animals. The best cat anime have unique art, heartfelt stories, and memorable moments. These shows often feature cats with distinct and lovable personalities, making them a favorite among cat owners.
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Legend of Hei
A Film by Joy Pictures
Details | |
Year | 2019 |
Length | 101 minutes |
Available On | Hoopla, Tubi |
The Legend of Hei is a beautiful 2D animated movie that serves as a prequel to The Legend of Luo Xiaohei series. It features stunning visuals and a touching story. The film follows Xiao-Hei, a forest spirit, whose home is destroyed.
Forced to wander, he is rescued by another spirit. Xiao-Hei then gets involved in a conflict about the unbalanced coexistence of humans and spirits.
Xiao-Hei can turn into a small black cat but spends the second half of the movie in his human form, a small boy with black cat ears and a tail. Many other spirits also have animal forms, adding to the movie’s charming character designs.
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My Roommate is a Cat
Based on the manga by Yuki Midorikawa
Details | |
Year Released | 2019 |
Episodes | 12 |
Available on: | Funimation, Crunchyroll |
The anime “My Roommate is a Cat” tells the story of a shy writer named Subaru Mikazuki and a stray cat he names Haru. Viewers see life from both Subaru and Haru’s perspectives.
The series shows their growing bond and how they learn to understand each other. Haru inspires Subaru’s writing and helps him explore the world. Creatives who find inspiration from their pets will relate to Subaru and Haru’s relationship.
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Natsume’s Book of Friends
Based on the manga by Yuki Midorikawa
Details | |
Year Released | 2008 |
Episodes | 74 |
Available on: | Funimation, Crunchyroll |
“Natsume’s Book of Friends” is a calming slice-of-life anime. It follows Takashi Natsume, who inherits the Book of Friends from his grandmother. This book holds the names of many spirits. Takashi learns that the book can be misused and decides to free the spirits.
In the first episode, Takashi meets Madara, also known as Nyanko-sensei. Madara is a strong yokai who often looks like a cat. They make a deal: Madara will protect Takashi, and in return, he will get the book when Takashi dies. Over time, Madara grows fond of Takashi.
Although Madara claims not to be a cat, he often acts like one and looks like a “beckoning cat.”
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She and Her Cat – Everything Flows –
Based on the movie directed by Makoto Shinkai
Details | |
Year Released | 2016 |
Episodes | 4 |
Available on: | Crunchyroll |
“She and Her Cat -Everything Flows-” is a short series inspired by Makoto Shinkai’s original short film. It has four episodes and follows Miyu, a college student, and her black cat, Daru. The story is told from Daru’s view, showing his love and support for Miyu in her daily life.
The series ends with Daru’s death and his suggested rebirth as a new kitten who finds Miyu again. This show beautifully shows the strong bond between people and their cats.
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Doraemon
Based on a manga series by Fujiko F. Fujio
Title | Release Year | Number of Episodes | Where to Stream it |
Doraemon (1979) | 1979 | 1787 | Unavailable |
Doraemon (2005) | 2005 | Ongoing | Disney+ Hotstar |
“Doraemon” is about a robotic cat named Doraemon who comes from the 22nd century to help a young boy named Nobita Nobi. Nobita has a hard time with school, bullies, and daily life.
Doraemon uses gadgets from his 4D pocket to solve Nobita’s problems and make his life better. The series follows their adventures, showing the lessons they learn about friendship, creativity, and always trying your best.
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Sailor Moon
Based on the manga by Naoko Takeuchi
Details | |
Year Released | 1992 |
Episodes | 200 |
Available on: | Crunchyroll |
“Sailor Moon” follows the story of a young girl named Usagi Tsukino. She is 14 years old and a bit clumsy, but her life changes when she meets a talking cat named Luna. Luna reveals that Usagi is Sailor Moon, a magical warrior destined to protect the world from evil.
Usagi must find and protect the “Legendary Silver Crystal,” a powerful artifact, while also finding the Moon Princess. As Sailor Moon, she meets other Sailor Guardians: Sailor Mercury, Sailor Mars, Sailor Jupiter, and Sailor Venus.
Each Guardian has special powers and represents different planets. Together, they fight against dark forces and villains who want to take over the world.
Throughout the series, Usagi and her friends uncover their past lives and learn about their destinies. They face many challenges but always support each other.
Themes of friendship, love, and justice are central to the story. “Sailor Moon” shows the importance of courage and teamwork in overcoming evil.