Neko

Neko is the Japanese word for cat, written with the kanji 猫 and pronounced "ne-ko." In ordinary Japanese it denotes domestic cats and, more generally, felines. The term also appears in literature, media, and online culture, where it is used to convey feline characteristics or aesthetics.

Neko is a native noun (kun'yomi). It appears in various compound terms, such as nekōmimi (猫耳), referring to cat ears, a common motif in anime and fan art; and nekomata (猫又), a mythical two-tailed cat demon. In everyday language, neko can describe both pets and cats in general.

In popular culture, "neko" is widely used in relation to cat-like characters, including catgirls (nekomimi) and other anthropomorphic designs. It is also the title or subject of media such as Neko Atsume, a mobile game released in 2014 in which players attract and photograph a rotating cast of pet cats. The concept of the neko café (cat café)—where customers can interact with resident cats—has become prominent in Japan and other countries.

Beyond language and media, neko appears as a personal name or online alias in some contexts. The word's widespread use reflects Japan's cultural association of cats with playfulness, mystery, and affection.