Nekomata

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A nekomata is a Japanese mythological creature, believed to metamorphose from domesticated cats. It was believed that after a cat reached ten years of age, its tail would slowly split into two tails, and along the way would develop magic powers, primarily those of necromancy and shamanism. By gesturing with its tails or with its forepaws (as it walked upright), nekomata were said to animate and control the dead.[1] Nekomata in the wild were also said to feed on the corpses as carrion, as well.

Though nekomata were normally assumed to behave with the same aloof manner as normal cats, they were known to hold grudges (especially older, mistreated cats, which tended to be more powerful than the average nekomata). To gain revenge, these nekomata usually controlled the tormentors' dead relatives, haunting them until the nekomata was appeased with food, apologies and attention.

Lastly, some Japanese folk tales said that nekomata could shapeshift and become human in appearance; however, unlike the more common nekomusume, nekomata women tended to look older, display bad habits in public and always had an air of dread around them, which if around people for an extended period could cause disease and pestilence. [2]

[edit] In Fiction

One prominent example of the nekomata in recent fiction is Kirara (the pronunciation may vary between "kirara" or "kilala", since the Japanese language doesn't distinguish between the sounds l and r), the pet of Sango in the manga and anime series InuYasha; however, it should be noted that Kirara does not exhibit the traditional traits of the nekomata except for her two tails.
Another example is the Pokémon, Espeon.
Also, the Digimon, Bastemon, seems to be based on a Nekomata
The character Catbus (Nekobasu) from My Neighbor Totoro is likely a nekomata that transformed himself into a bus using his shape-shifting skills. However, CatBus is incredibly kind to children.
A good example is Matamune from the manga Shaman King (doesn't appear in the anime).
Nekomata appears in the PS2 game Disgaea; a monster which looks mostly human with catlike features.
The PS2 RPG Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne features nekomata as enemies and acquirable characters.
The PS1 RPG Series Persona (video game), which is also a spin-off of the Shin Megami Tensei Series, the Nekomata appears as an enemy but also appears as a "Rumormonger" in the Kuzunoha Rumor Office.
The manga/anime series Naruto has introduced a character named Yugito, who contains the Two-Tailed Demon Cat, which is a nekomata.
In the manga/anime series Hyper Police Natsuki Sasahara is half human and half Nekomata.
The PC first-person shooter Battlefield 2142 includes a tank called the Type 32 Nekomata.
The Danmaku Scrolling shooter Perfect Cherry Blossom Stage 2 boss is Chen, a Nekomata.
A nekomata appears in an episode of the anime Kamichu!.
In Gokusen anime the rival gang is known as the Neko Mata Group and their leader closely resembles a nekomata.