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So, how to differentiate Nekomimi from Inumimi? They looks quite similar.


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question
terminology
How to differentiate Nekomimi from Inumimi?


Both words can be summerized with _Kemonomimi_ (獣耳) what just means animal
ears.

> 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.

Quote from
[Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moe_anthropomorphism#Animals).

**Nekomimi** and **Inumimi** are some more accurate designation for such
designed characters. But there is one essential difference.

The word **Nekomimi** (猫耳) means " _cat-ears_ " in english. On the other hand
you have the word **Inumimi** (犬耳) what means " _dog-ears_ ". And this is
pretty much the difference... **Nekomimi** are styled like cats and
**Inumimi** are styled like dogs.

Traditionally they only wear a headband with the ears of the animal they dress
up without a tail or paws.

On this picture you are able to clearly see the difference between this two
species. Left a Neko and right a Inu styled girl.

![Ears](https://i.stack.imgur.com/AX5Ih.jpg)

Picture from the [nonoshirip blog](http://nonoshirip.blog73.fc2.com/blog-
entry-45.html).

It is not always that easy to find out what is shown at the moment because
there are also some **Inumimi** with pointed ears. But you are also able to
recognize them apart by the tail.

As before, **Nekomimi** have a tail like the tail of a cat. **Inumimi** more
like a dog. Here is a picture with the tail. Again left the Neko and right the
Inu styled girl.

![Tail](https://i.stack.imgur.com/omTar.png)

Left picture from [ZeroChan](http://www.zerochan.net/1773005) and right
picture from [ZeroChan](http://www.zerochan.net/1750563).

Sometimes it is very hard to recognize them apart only by the ears. If you
really want to know who is who you need more characteristics than only the
ears.

But watch out! There are _Kemonomimi_ that look similar to the cat or even
more the dog... A example are Kitsunemimi (狐耳) what means "fox-ears" or
Okamimimi (狼耳) what means "wolf-ears".

![Kitsu and Okami](https://i.stack.imgur.com/E91YA.jpg)

Left image from [ZeroChan](http://www.zerochan.net/1320423) and right image
from [ZeroChan](http://www.zerochan.net/239366).

You could guess who is who? Left is the fox styled girl and right is the wolf
girl. And this is a example where it is actully very hard to find out what
_Kemonomimi_ style the character is designed.


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