A "Catgirl" is a fictional character that combines human and feline traits, often depicted with cat ears, tails, and sometimes other features like whiskers or feline-like eyes. This character type is popular in various forms of media, including anime, manga, and video games, where they often exhibit playful or mischievous behavior similar to that of a cat.
Catgirls are part of a broader genre known as kemonomimi, which translates to "animal ears" in Japanese. This genre features characters with animal characteristics while maintaining a mostly human appearance. Catgirls have gained a significant following in online communities and fan art, contributing to their popularity in contemporary pop culture.