10 best anime for cat lovers to watch

Some anime for cat lovers are a perfect match, like milk and cookies. Japan excels at delivering delightful cat-centric stories, from fantasy series starring talking cats to slice-of-life tales highlighting the heartwarming bonds between owners and pets.

With so many great cat anime series spanning genres and decades, where should cat-loving anime fans start their viewing first? Whether one is looking for laughs from silly kitties or emotional dramas showcasing the devotion between a cat companion and their human, there are wonderful anime for cat lovers to choose from.

From the science-fiction fun of the robot cat in Doraemon to the incredible life of a stray cat finding a new home in My Roommate is a Cat, these anime for cat lovers showcase some of the most outstanding feline stars and stories.

10 must-watch anime for cat lovers

1) The Cat Returns

The Cat Returns (Image via Studio Ghibli)

The Cat Returns is a whimsical fantasy film directed by Hiroyuki Morita in 2002. It is a standalone story that shares characters with the popular Studio Ghibli classic, Whisper of the Heart, and tells the story of Haru, a quiet schoolgirl who rescues a cat that has escaped onto a busy street.

She soon discovers that this cat is no ordinary feline but the prince of the Cat Kingdom. The Cat King and his subjects inundate her with gifts and marriage proposals for the prince. When she refuses, Haru finds herself taken to the world of cats.

There, she meets the suave Baron, a cat figurine who comes to life as a gentleman, and he helps her escape and return home. This charming anime for cat lovers captures the quirky nature of felines with its imaginative animation.

2) Nyan Koi!

Nyan Koi! is a comedy series with a twist—cats! One day, Junpei Kousaka accidentally breaks a cat deity statue and receives an odd curse: he can now understand cats, but if he fails to grant 100 specific cat wishes, he'll turn into one himself!

As Junpei gets to know local cats and helps them with various dilemmas, he's drawn into their secret lives and relationships that far exceed what any human could imagine.

Meanwhile, he must balance fulfilling the cats' wishes while avoiding the suspicion of humans around him, who wonder why he interacts so closely with felines. Representing a unique take on anime for cat lovers, Nyan Koi! puts a hilarious spin on the portrayal of lovable kitties in anime.

3) Bananya

Bananya follows the adventures of cute cat Bananya and his fellow Bananya friends. What makes the Bananyas so adorable is that they are kittens living inside yellow bananas, peeking out with their heads and limbs emerging from openings in the skins.

Each short episode shows the misadventures of the Bananyas as they seek fun. Whether it's trying to sneak snacks when their owners aren't looking or playing pretend by dressing up their banana skins with accessories, there's never a dull moment.

With its 2D animation style and sketches between segments, this anime for cat lovers melts hearts with über-cute kitties.

4) Chi's Sweet Home

Chi's Sweet Home follows the adventures of Chi, a curious white kitten with grey and black stripes and patches, who is separated from her mother and ends up being unofficially adopted by the loving Yamada family. Each short episode chronicles the Yamadas' adventures with Chi as she navigates the human world.

Chi gradually learns about how families live from the kind family that takes care of her. As she explores and tries to understand her new home, her curiosity often gets her into trouble. However, the Yamada boy Youhei is always there to check up on his new feline friend.

This series captures the charm and playfulness of kittens with both humor and heartwarming moments.

5) My Roommate is a Cat

My Roommate is a Cat tells the touching story of reclusive writer Subaru Mikazuki and how his life changes when he takes in a stray rescue cat named Haru. Initially, the antisocial Subaru brings Haru home on a whim.

However, as he slowly opens up while taking care of the energetic Haru, the little feline works her way into his heart and provides him companionship. The story alternates between the perspectives of Subaru and Haru, showing how they both try to make sense of one another's behavior and motives.

Through Haru's lens, viewers get hilarious insight into her trials with cat life situations in her new home. This standout anime for cat lovers shows how Subaru gradually learns to connect better with others thanks to his feline roommate.

6) Doraemon

This long-running anime centered around the adventures of the robotic cat Doraemon is considered an iconic classic series.

Creating a unique twist in anime for cat lovers, Doraemon is sent back from the 22nd century by Nobita's descendant, Sewashi, to help lonely schoolboy Nobita Nobi navigate childhood dilemmas and escape sticky situations with the help of Doraemon's futuristic gadgets.

Despite his love for naps and occasional fearfulness, Doraemon develops a strong bond with Nobita over the course of many stories. As a result, Nobita gains more courage and resourcefulness. Doraemon may not look like a typical cat, but his loyalty makes the anime heartwarming.

7) Natsume's Book of Friends

Natsume's Book of Friends (Image via Brain's Base)

Natsume's Book of Friends centers around 15-year-old Natsume, an orphan boy who can see spirits, including mysterious beings called yokai.

After inheriting a book that belonged to his long-deceased grandmother Reiko, Natsume discovers that Reiko could also interact with yokai and bind them as 'servants' under contracts recorded in the book. As Natsume meets yokai who knew Reiko, he vows to return their names and free them.

His companion Madara, a lucky cat (maneki neko) in sealed form and a powerful yokai in true form, guides and protects Natsume in his dealings with spirits. With its supernatural elements, this anime for cat lovers captivates viewers through Madara's character as both guide and comic relief.

8) Tama and Friends

Tama and Friends delivers endless feline charm through the daily adventures of its cast. Centered around a mischievous cat named Tama and other neighborhood cats, this sweet-natured series depicts the animals' daily exploits as they interact with their human and animal friends.

Whether trying new foods, exploring the heights of their apartment complex home, or making new discoveries about their neighborhood, Tama and the gang find small joys and amusement in everyday moments.

This classic anime for cat lovers captures the endearing qualities that fans adore about their pets with playful energy and an innocence that tugs at the heartstrings.

9) A Whisker Away

A Whisker Away (Image via Studio Colorido)

A Whisker Away centers around middle schooler Miyo, who has a crush on her classmate Hobi but struggles to convey her feelings to him.

After encountering a magic mask that allows her to transform into a cat, Miyo uses her new feline form to get close to Hobi. However, she soon discovers that the mask's magic will make her permanently stay a cat.

As Miyo uses the mask more frequently to be near Hobi while hiding her real identity, she risks losing her human self. Whimsical and emotional, this thoughtful anime for cat lovers highlights the affection people can form with cats as viewers follow Miyo's journey bonding with Hobi through her cat alter ego.

10) Kiki's Delivery Service

Kiki's Delivery Service (Image via Studio Ghibli)

No list is complete without the charming classic Kiki's Delivery Service from acclaimed director Hayao Miyazaki. The story follows Kiki, a spirited young witch embarking on a coming-of-age journey to train in another city for a year, accompanied only by her witty but loyal black cat, Jiji.

As Kiki struggles to adjust to her new independence and hone her broomstick flying skills to launch a parcel delivery service, Jiji remains her confidant, providing her courage in difficult times.

Jiji plays the classic role of the feline companion, offering both playful antics and heartfelt support for Kiki. With stunning animation and scenery that viewers can appreciate through Jiji's eyes, this beloved anime for cat lovers captures the close bonds between humans and their feline friends.

Conclusion

Anime for cat lovers offers a wealth of series showcasing fabulous felines in starring roles. Whether as companions, guides, or magical creatures coming to life, anime cats capture the charm, mystique, and quirks that fans adore about real-world kitties.

From light-hearted everyday pet adventures to epic supernatural tales, the highlighted anime for cat lovers are perfect viewing picks for both cat and anime aficionados.

With these fabulous series queued up, enjoy entering the worlds of cats brought to animated life through creative anime storytelling at its finest. Let the cat adventures begin!