Summary
Cat owners and anime fans will find many shows featuring beloved feline characters and heartwarming stories. These anime series, such as Kiki’s Delivery Service and The Cat Returns, offer adorable moments and admiration for kittens. From heartwarming stories about friendship, like My Roommate is a Cat, to supernatural tales like Natsme’s Book of Friends, these anime are a must-see for cat lovers.
Cat owners may not know it, but there are plenty of animated movies out there for you to enjoy best cat cartoons is an essential watch for any cat enthusiast. For fans of both cats and anime, there are plenty of shows across many genres featuring adorable casts of feline characters. These shows will help viewers experience the full range of human emotions as well as touching stories that are sure to make a lasting impression.
Whether it’s anthropomorphic, just a regular cat, or somewhere in between, cats are always present in anime. Cat lovers will find that the best anime shows every cat owner needs to watch are filled with adorable moments and tons of adorable kittens.
10 Kiki’s delivery service
Based on the novel by Eiko Kadono
Year of release
1989
Running time
102 minutes
Where to stream it
Max
Kiki’s Delivery Service is a beloved Studio Ghibli film about young witch Kiki, her cat friend Jiji, and their adventures after moving to a beautiful seaside town. This emotional coming-of-age story focuses primarily on Kiki’s journey of self-discovery and touches on themes of adapting to the working world. Kiki’s Delivery Service may be largely about exhaustion, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of cute scenes of Jiji to lift viewers’ spirits.
As Kiki discovers more about her place in this new town, she often has the sassy support of Jiji and him. Despite his occasional complaints, he is always by her side and helps when she needs him, making him a steadfast friend. Kiki’s Delivery Service is a classic for good reason, and anyone who grew up especially close to a cat will relate to Kiki and Jiji.
9 The master cat is depressed again today
Based on Manga created by Hitsuji Yamada
Year of release
2023
Episodes
13
Where to stream it
Crunchyroll
Today, Depressed Super Cat focuses on the daily life of workaholic Saku and the stray cat she adopted, named Yukichi. Like all cats, Yukichi begins to grow up. However, to Saku’s surprise, he continued to grow until he was as big as a bear. Now, he focuses on housework and is very proud of his cooking ability. As viewers follow the lives of Saku and Yukichi, they witness some interesting and heartwarming moments between them as the series progresses. When you own a cat, it’s easy to feel like you’re the cat’s servant, but Saku and Yukichi turn that premise on its head. Every cat owner would be lucky to live with a helpful cat like Yukichi.
8 The cat returns
The original film was directed by Hiroyuki Morita
Year of release
2002
Running time
75 minutes
Where to stream it
Max
The Cat Returns is a charming film from Studio Ghibli starring a young girl named Haru as she goes through a series of exciting adventures after saving the life of a cat. After discovering that the cat she saved is actually the prince of the Cat Kingdom, Haru accidentally becomes engaged to said prince and returns to seek the aid of the Baron, Toto, and a cat named Muta .
When Haru is taken to the Cat Kingdom against her will, she realizes that the more time she spends there, the more she turns into a cat. There, Haru learns more about one of the most powerful tools she has: the power of self-belief. The Cat Returns is a fun movie that would make a great gift for any young cat owner in need of an adventure.
7 Tsume’s Book of Friends
Based on the Manga by Yuki Midorikawa
Year of release
2008
Episodes
74
Where to stream it
Crunchyroll, Funimation
Tsume’s Book of Friends is one of the most relaxing slice-of-life anime. The series focuses on protagonist Takashi Natsume after he inherits the mysterious Book of Friends. In Huu Thu there are names of hundreds of souls collected by my grandmother. When Takashi discovers this item is highly coveted and could be used for evil purposes, he is determined to reveal all the names.
In the first episode of the series, Takashi meets Madara (also known as Nyanko-sensei), a powerful youkai who frequently takes the form of a cat. Despite an agreement with Takashi that he would be Takashi’s bodyguard as long as when Takashi died he would be given a Book of Friends, Madara was very fond of Takashi. While it’s true that Madara humorously claims he’s not a cat, he still takes on a form known as a “waving cat” and often displays adorable cat-like behaviors.
Basket of 6 Fruits
Based on Manga created by Natsuki Takaya
Year of release
2019
Episodes
63
Where to stream it
Funny, Hulu
Although there are many different animals represented in Fruits Basket, the cat is definitely a large animal. The film follows a young woman named Tohru as she comes to live with the Sohma family, a group of people cursed to become animals of the Zodiac when their emotions run high. Fruit Basket is largely based on the story surrounding the formation of the zodiac and why there are no cats. Tohru always felt sorry for the cat in the story and loved it very much. Additionally, only certain members of the Sohma family represent the zodiac animals, including the abandoned cat.
The emotional story focuses on Tohru’s life, the tragedy behind the Sohma family as Tohru learns more, and the friendships she develops with said family members, including the host of cat, Kyo.
5 My roommate is a cat
Based on Manga created by Minatsuki & Asu Futatsuya
Year of release
2019
Episodes
twelfth
Where to stream it
Crunchyroll, Funimation
As indicated in the title, My Roommate is a Cat explores the story of shy novelist, Subaru Mikazuki, and the stray cat he adopts, named Haru. The audience experiences both perspectives on this sweet slice of life as both Haru and Subaru try to understand each other better and live life together. The touching story focuses on their growing relationship and how Haru continues to inspire Subaru’s creative endeavors and expand his experiences with the world. Any creator who takes inspiration from his or her furry friend will find Subaru and Haru’s relationship more than understandable.
The beloved home of 4 Chi
Based on the Manga created by Konami Kanata
Year of release
2008
Episodes
284
Where to stream it
Prime Video, Crunchyroll
Chi’s Sweet Home is about mischievous kitten Chi, who accidentally strays too far from his mother and siblings and is adopted by the Yamada family. Viewers watch her learn and discover more about the world while spending more time with her new family. This particular series seems pretty easy to get into, as each episode is only a few minutes long and is equivalent to a chapter of the corresponding manga. However, there are over two hundred episodes exploring the adventures of this playful kitten for potential audiences to enjoy.
3 She and Her Cat -Everything Goes Smoothly-
Based on the film directed by Makoto Shinkai
Year of release
2016
Episodes
4
Where to stream it
Crunchyroll
She and Her Cat -Everything Goes Smooth- is a short film based on one of Makoto Shinkai’s original short films. This heartwarming four-episode series follows the daily life of college student Miyu and her black cat Daru. Much of the film’s poetic story is told through the eyes of Daru, who shows love, admiration, and support for Miyu in every aspect of her life. Viewers should probably know that the series ends with Daru’s death and implied reincarnation as another kitten, who is later reunited with Miyu. Overall, the show is a beautiful look at the heartfelt relationships forged between humans and their beloved cats.
2 Legend Hello
Original movie created by Joy Pictures
Year of release
2019
Running time
101 minutes
Where to stream it
Hoopla, Tubi
The Legend of Hei is a stunning 2D animated prequel to the animated series The Legend of Luo Xiaohei. With stunning visuals and a touching story, The Legend of Hei tells viewers the story of the forest god Xiao-Hei, who is forced to wander due to the destruction of his native forest. After being saved by a fellow spirit, Xiao-Hei finds herself at the center of a conflict surrounding the unbalanced coexistence between humans and spirits in the film’s present-day world. As a spirit, Xiao-Hei takes the form of a small black cat, but spends the second half of the film in human form, that of a boy with black cat ears and tail. Some of the other spirits also have animal-like shapes, and the movie has a lot of charming character designs.
1 night with cat
Based on Manga created by Kyuryu Z
Year of release
2022
Episodes
16
Where to stream it
Currently not available to stream
Nights With A Cat is a charming animated film that explores the interactions between main character Fuuta and the cat his sister moves in with. This cat, named Kyuruga, is multi-faceted and full of eccentricities, like all cats, his quirky yet adorable personality is on full display throughout the series. Audiences will love this slice-of-life comedy for its distinct art style and adorable exchanges between Fuuta and Kyuruga. The second season of this anime series was recently released in March 2023 and fans are eagerly waiting for news of a credible third season. Fuuta and Kyuruga are such an adorable pair of characters that Nights With a Cat is a great anime that every cat owner needs to watch.
Cat lovers and anime fans alike have plenty of stories to discover about one of the world’s most beloved animals. The best cat anime showcase unique art styles, heartfelt stories, and memorable moments that are sure to put them at the top of every cat owner’s best anime list. Most important of all, best cat cartoons contains top cat characters with distinct and adorable personalities.