Bakeneko Yokai

**Bakeneko Yokai** are a variation of the Cat Yokai who are normal cats who transformed into a Yokai. Not to be confused with Nekomata Yokai.

## Physical Appearance

The Bakeneko are anthropomorphic. Like all Cat Yokai, they can have various different fur colors and patterns. Sometimes they would be accompanied by a will-o-wisp. Some Bakeneko can have a more human-like appearance with some parts of their bodies being covered with fur and having feline-like features such as the vertical slit pupil in their eyes.

## Description

The Bakeneko is a cat yōkai with supernatural abilities. All bakeneko (unless they are born from two bakeneko) start as a normal cat that becomes a bakeneko in a number of ways: they may reach a certain age, be kept for a certain number of years, grow to a certain size, or be allowed to keep a long tail. While their true form is an unusually large cat with forked or doubled tail and ability to walk upright, they are able to change their shape. They are also known for holding grudges and haunting the houses they dwell in. In the Hidden World, the Bakeneko are one of the most common Yokai to see as they can live anywhere and are able to adapt their environment rather quickly.

## Abilities

These are the abilities that the Bakeneko Yokai can have in their arsenal:

* Contaminant Immunity
* Decelerated Aging/Semi-Immortality
* Dream Walking
* Feline Physiology
	+ Camouflage
	+ Claw Retraction
	+ Climbing
	+ Enhanced Agility
	+ Enhanced Balance
	+ Enhanced Bite
	+ Enhanced Flexibility
	+ Enhanced Leap
	+ Enhanced Senses
		- Night Vision
	+ Enhanced Speed
	+ Enhanced Stealth
	+ Enhanced Strength
	+ Predator Instinct
* Flight
* Ghost-Light Manipulation
* Human Disguise/Shapeshifting
* Matter Ingestion
* Necromancy
	+ Reanimation
* Spiritual Awareness

### Variations

* Curse Inducement
* Life-Force Absorption
* Magic
* Multiple Lives
* Power Augmentation
* Prehensile Tail

## Pop Culture

The Bakeneko is very common in anime as many characters are one. Examples are Himari Noihara from Omamori Himari and Yoruichi Shihōin from Bleach who can transform into a bakeneko just to name a few.

## Variations

### Nekomata Yokai

The Nekomata is the more malevolent cousin of the Bakeneko. These Yokai have the power to bring misfortune and gloom to the Humans. There are accounts that the Nekomata had eaten humans as well.

### Cat Yokai

The Bakeneko was originally a normal housecat until certain conditions transform them into what they are now. Gaining mystical powers along with the transformation.

## Life in the Hidden World

Bakeneko Yokai are one of the most common. They can adapt and live in any region of the Hidden World. People have confused the Bakeneko with the Nekomata because of their similarities. But there are differences like the number of tails they have. The Bakeneko Yokai are benevolent beings who are always there to help those in need. Though some would become lazy and do cat things such as playing with yarn and licking themselves for cleaning.

## Symbolism

It’s hard to say what the symbolism of the bakeneko is, other than it symbolizing the chaotic behavior of cats. Unlike most other yokai, the bakeneko don’t represent anything particular such as crops, trees, the moon, or anything like that – they are just giant, weird, magical monsters that continue to behave like cats, if the cats were to develop supernatural abilities.