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Nyanko-sensei is supposedly a very [powerful
youkai](https://i.stack.imgur.com/tiSsP.jpg) named "Madara," but he takes the
form of a round, chubby cat.

What is the significance of this form? Did he purposely choose this
appearance? Why/Why not?

Why does Takashi call Madara by the name "Nyanko-sensei?"

![:3](https://i.stack.imgur.com/NTTTK.jpg)


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2013-04-20T05:19:29.850
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question
natsumes-book-of-friends
Why is Nyanko-sensei a round, chubby cat?


**What is the significance of this form?**

> It's not simply a round, chubby cat, it's a Maneki-neko (lit. beckoning
> cat). Maneki-neko is a common figurine in Japan. Shops have it displayed to
> beckons customers and wish bringing more fortune in.

**Did he purposely choose this appearance?**

> Yes and No. Nyankon-sensei was sealed in Maneki-neko for a long time before
> Takashi release it by accident, it ordinary takes on the shape and just be
> that way. Ordinary people can see it when it is in the Maneki-neko form but
> not in the original Madara form. Still, we don't know if Nyankon-sensei like
> its form so much or on other purposes.

**Why does Takashi call Madara by the name "Nyanko-sensei?"**

> Nyankon-sensei requests Takashi to call him sensei and as an exchange, it
> becomes his bodyguard.

Wikipedia actually has a well-written
[article](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natsume%27s_Book_of_Friends) about the
anime & manga including characters background, in case you want more details.


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2013-04-20T08:44:43.150
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2013-04-24T08:16:49.790
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answer


Madara-sama was sealed in a maneki neko (lucky cat). If you are familiar with
maneki neko, then you know many of them look exactly like Nyanko Sensei. This
is from the first episode.

It is not known whether this was done on purpose or not. Whoever imprisoned
him put him in the maneki neko, put him in the shrine and he stayed there
until Natsume tripped over the rope. Book 1, No. 1.

Madara wants to be called sensei. Natsume calls him nyanko already, which as
I'm sure you know is a diminutive term for a cat. Little Cat Teacher = nyanko
sensei.

The anime is pretty faithful to the manga in this episode.

~nyan


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2013-10-19T16:45:32.727
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answer