Catgirls are fictional characters that combine human and feline traits, often depicted with cat ears, tails, and sometimes other features like whiskers or feline-like eyes. They are popular in various forms of media, including anime, manga, and video games, where they often exhibit playful or mischievous behavior reminiscent of cats. The concept of catgirls is 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 culture.