In Hiroki Azuma's theory of otaku database consumption, animal ears are one type of " moe element," which is combined with other elements in a character in order to create an affective response in fans. Kemonomimi characters typically appear human except for added animal-like qualities. Catgirls and catboys are the most prolific and common in this category, although bunnygirls, foxgirls, doggirls, and wolfgirls are also common. Kemonomimi is often used in moe anthropomorphism, to depict animal characters in human form. Kemonomimi ( 獣耳), literally meaning "animal ears", is the concept of depicting human and human-like characters with animal ears, and by extension, other features such as tails. Types Ī nekomimi, a type of kemonomimi with the ears of a cat Animals Saitō also connects this anthropomorphism with a "desire for transformation" associated with the shōjo (girl) form. The psychologist Tamaki Saitō regards moe anthropomorphism as an example of mitate-e art due to its simultaneous use of both high and low art to provide additional, sometimes humorous, meanings. The media studies scholar Yuji Sone has argued that since moe anthropomorphism is usually personified by beautiful young girls, it is an example of the outgrowth of otaku subcultural habitus into sexual fantasies. The trend spread out of dōjin circles as commercial anime and manga also prominently feature characters who are personifications of inanimate objects. Many anthropomorphizations were the results of discussions on Japanese Internet forums such as 2channel or Futaba Channel. An early form of moe anthropomorphism is the Gundam MS Girl created by Mika Akitaka in 1982. With the exception of kemonomimi (which are human-like characters that have animal features), many moe anthropomorphizations started as dōjin efforts. This form of anthropomorphism is very common in otaku subcultures. Part of the humor of this personification comes from the personality ascribed to the character (often satirical) and the sheer arbitrariness of characterizing a variety of machines, objects, and even physical places as cute. The characters here, usually in a kind of cosplay, are drawn to represent an inanimate object or popular consumer product. In addition to moe features, moe anthropomorphs are also characterized by their accessories, which serve to emphasize their original forms before anthropomorphosis. Moe anthropomorphism ( Japanese: 萌え擬人化, Hepburn: moe gijinka) is a form of anthropomorphism in anime and manga where moe qualities are given to non-human beings (such as animals, plants, supernatural entities and fantastical creatures), objects, concepts, or phenomena. Wikipe-tan, a combination of the Japanese word for Wikipedia and the friendly suffix for children, -tan, is a moe anthropomorph of Wikipedia.
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