Moe Antromorphism

**Moe anthropomorphism** (萌え擬人化 *moe gijinka*?) is a form of anthropomorphism where *moe*
 qualities are given to non-human beings, objects, concepts, or
phenomena. In addition to moe features, moe anthropomorphisms are also
characterized by their accessories, which serve to emphasize their
original forms before anthropomorphosis. The characters here, usually in
 a kind of cosplay, are drawn to represent an inanimate object or popular consumer product. 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.
This form of anthropomorphism is very common in otaku subcultures. With the exception of *kemonomimi* (which are human-like characters that have animal features), many moe anthropomorphizations started as *dōjin* efforts. At first many were the results of discussions on Japanese internet forums such as 2channel or Futaba Channel. The trend spread out of *dōjin* circles as commercial anime and manga also prominently feature characters who are personifications of inanimate objects

*Kemonomimi*, literally meaning "animal ears", is the concept of drawing animals as bishōjo or bishōnen, or having such characters wear animal accessories such as ears or tails. Catgirls
 and catboys are the most prolific in this category, although
bunnygirls, foxgirls, and dog girls are also common. Kemonomimi
characters typically appear human except for added animal-like
qualities. The concept has some connection to furry fandom.

### Computers

See also: OS-tan

Although *Chobits* (2001) and Toy's iMac Girl (1998) came first, the meme of turning computer-related phenomena into moe subjects did not start until Shiitake-chan (しいたけちゃん?), the anthropomorphization of Internet Explorer's *Stop* button. The idea of Shiitake-chan came in 2001 on 2channel, starting with a poster who claims he saw the *Stop* button as a shiitake.[2] When Microsoft released Windows 7 in Japan, they included a theme pack centered around a personification of the OS named "Nanami Madobe" with voice samples from Nana Mizuki. Microsoft used another personification involving two girls named "Yū Madobe" and "Ai Madobe" to promote Windows 8 in Japan.[3][4][5]
 As part of the market launch, a Facebook draw of 8 followers took place
 when follower count reaches 80001; and total Twitter follower count for
 Yū and Ai reach 8001, where winners receive Madobe Yū and Ai-themed
prizes.[6]
Since the creation of the OS-tans, other software and websites have
been anthropomorphized as well. For example, the free encyclopedia Wikipedia has its own "Wikipe-tan", while Mozilla applications have their own set of "Moezilla". Chinese netizens have created a "Green Dam Girl" to parody China's content-control software Green Dam Youth Escort.[7] In 2010, Taiwanese illustrator known as "shinia" on Pixiv created a personification of Microsoft Silverlight named Hikaru Aizawa, who is officially promoted by Microsoft Taiwan.[8][9] In 2013, Microsoft Singapore introduced Inori Aizawa, a mascot for Internet Explorer.

The manga and anime series *Aoi Sekai no Chūshin de* features characters who are personifications of computer games. Video games with characters based on them include *Sonic the Hedgehog*, *Super Mario* and *Tetris*. The anime series *Hi sCoool! SeHa Girl* features personifications of video game hardware by Sega.[10]

### Law and politics

Elements of the Japanese constitution have been anthropomorphised into moe girls, such as Article 9, which prevents Japan from waging war, "is portrayed as a peace-loving girl."[11]

In 2010, users from the Breaking News board on 2channel created Hinomoto Oniko as an anthropomorphism of the commonly used Chinese ethnic slur used against Japanese, Riben guizi
 (日本鬼子), literally meaning "Japanese devils". The character was made by
the 2channel community in response to the growing anti-Japanese
sentiment amongst Chinese netizens online, and has since become an Internet meme within Japanese imageboards and forums. In Japanese, the kun'yomi reading of the kanji which make up the racial slur can be interpreted as a female personal name, and so the character is depicted as a young female wearing a traditional Japanese kimono, along with devil horns and a katana.[12]

In 2015, Internet users created "ISIS-chan", a moe anthropomorphized character of the jihadist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Images of her have been used by Anonymous to dilute the Islamic State's online propaganda.[13]

### Others

Other things have also been given moe characteristics:

Charcoal
Based on *binchōtan* and other types of charcoal, the anime and manga *Binchō-tan* uses the *dajare* in the Japanese word for coal (炭 *tan*?) to create a series of cute girls.
Countries
As with national personifications, moe versions of various countries are present. For example, Japan is Nihon-chan,[14] Afghanistan is Afuganisu-tan — both have their own webcomics in Japan. Beyond these, however, are the countries of Hidekaz Himaruya's *Hetalia: Axis Powers*,[15][16] a manga depicting the countries involved in World War I and World War II using boys instead of girls, with only a few female characters mixed in.
Food
Habanero-tan, the unofficial mascot of Bōkun Habanero; and Bisuke-tan for biscuits that KFC sells in Japan. The light novel series *Akikan!* has soda cans that magically turn into girls. Jelly flavours have also been anthropomorphised.[17]
Home appliances
Erotic computer games *Like Life* and *Monogokoro, Monomusume* both feature home appliances as girls. These appliances include washing machines, alarm clocks, blackboard erasers, pillows, first aid boxes, cell phones, and even post boxes,
 among others. The very nature of such games, however, puts the main
characters in unusual situations when the sex scene happens — such as
essentially "having sex with the washing machine". Likewise, the manga *090 Eko to Issho* features girls who are cell phones.[*citation needed*]

Military hardware
Mecha Musume are anthropomorphic personifications of military hardware, such as guns, tanks, ships, aircraft or even missiles. Popular subjects of this kind of anthropomorphism include World War II military vehicles; collectible mecha musume figures of these vehicles have been released.[18] *Strike Witches*, *Upotte!!*, and *Kantai Collection* are popular works that are based on moe military hardware.
Vehicles
Notable trains who were drawn as girls include the Fastech 360, often drawn with cat ears because of the train's emergency air braking plates. Called "Fastech-tan", this particular "train girl" has its own collectible figure, sold with permission from the East Japan Railway Company.[19]
## See also

* Kemono
* List of catgirls