Cat Smile



The playful counterpart to the Cheshire Cat Grin, often used by The Ditz, the cute Kawaiiko, or a more normal character being playful or mischievous rather than manipulative or creepy. The Manga style is just more often played as cute or as crackful. They're different in that the Cat Smile rarely shows teeth (except Cute Little Fangs, if the character has them), while the Cheshire Cat Grin shows too many. Also known as "Colon Three Smile". That is, :3. There is also the "Lion Smile", also known as >:3.

The Cat Smile often overlaps with other Japanese Media Tropes and facial expressions, like Puppy Dog Eyes for pleading or that extra dose of being Sickeningly Sweet. Oddly, this is not usually the default expression for Cat Girls. It's fairly common to see Eyes Always Shut with a Cat Smile for characters who are more "passively" happy or a tad ditzy/confident in their shenanigans. Half lidded eyes bring the Cat Smile its closest to the Chesire Cat Grin.

Be warned, overuse of this trope may cause viewers to simply think the character is plain ol' hare lipped.

A subtrope of Manga Effects.

Anime and Manga

 * A rare MALE example is Lupin The 3rd. When he's smiling without showing teeth, it's a playful, long lion smile. When he shows teeth, it's a Cheshire Cat Grin.
 * One of Haruko's expressions in FLCL.
 * This is the default expression of Konata, and her cousin Yui from Lucky Star. Combined with Konata's Eyes Always Shut, her expression is more like ¦3
 * Akira as well, until she cuts the Genki Girl facade.
 * And sometimes Yutaka has one too.
 * There is a darkfic where the expression is equated to a deformation akin to harelip. It was hard to take seriously.
 * And then it spread to Haruhi.
 * Hyakko has newspaper photographer, Koma.
 * Botan from Yu Yu Hakusho would often make this face... in pretty much every occasion too.
 * Ryoko several times in the Tenchi Muyo OVAs, most notably during the "crash landing" sequence at the beginning of the series.
 * Schrodinger would do several of these, given that he's a Cat Boy
 * Seras does this too in OVA 8.
 * Merle, a Catgirl from Vision of Escaflowne does one of these when she first sees Hitomi's pendant, and of course Merle attempts to steal it.
 * In the Trigun anime Vash does this when the fights are being played for laughs (reads, just the first few episodes).
 * Milly gets one near the start of the seventh episode while drunk and half-asleep, claiming to have an unusual physiology including "a separate stomach just for cake and ice cream!"
 * Genki Girl Kana in Minami-ke almost always has one of these.
 * During comedic moments Fai in Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle often is wearing this expression, and considering that he's been identified as "kitty" on several occasions (once using it as his alias in a race) it makes perfect sense.
 * Note that "neko" is also slang for the bottom in gay relationships. Nope, no subtext here. None at all...
 * Well, it is a CLAMP manga, after all...
 * Tina Foster from Ai Yori Aoshi (pictured above) does this from time to time whenever she's feeling a little...frisky around Kaoru.
 * Cardcaptor Sakura: Kero's default expression. Unless he's mad.
 * Churuya, the Super Deformed fan-character version of Tsuruya from Suzumiya Haruhi, has this as her only facial expression, nyoro~n.
 * Unsurprisingly, Train does this in his sillier moments in Black Cat.
 * Used almost constantly by Dark Skinned Blond Mahya Blythe in Mai-Otome. Strangely, it's who winds up in a Catgirl costume, and she never uses the Cat Smile.
 * This is the default expression of Magic Knight Rayearth's Mokona. If he/she/it isn't smiling like this, it's a sign something serious is about to occur (especially in the manga.)
 * This is how Ken Akamatsu draws Kuu Fei in Mahou Sensei Negima.
 * In her case, it's more signifying her naivete or complete lack of understanding.
 * Nagase Kaede as well, who also sports Eyes Always Shut as well
 * Lotte from Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha, typical for a genki catgirl.
 * Gunsmith Cats: Minnie-May Hopkins, whenever she's feeling sneaky and/or amorous.
 * In an episode of the Axis Powers Hetalia anime, England uses it in a slightly mean-spirited way towards America, laughing a little behind his hand.
 * This also seems to be Belgium's default expression. New Zealand wears one in most of his/her (admittedly few) appearances as well.
 * Kirino Chiba from Bamboo Blade does this occasionally, when she's at her most cheerful and energetic.
 * Mika Inamori from Manabi Straight has this as her only expression. Along with the way her ever-present ribbon looks, it may point to a certain design motif.
 * Default facial expression of Neco-Arc in Tsukihime. Arcueid pulls this off herself on occasion.
 * Surprisingly, Shiki manages this as well, in the manga. Although it's very subtle, to his credit.
 * Rosette from Chrono Crusade makes this expression occasionally.
 * And Shader, the Catgirl Demon has this expression almost constantly.
 * Strengthening her Catgirl image, Kana of Saki has a cat smile that rarely goes away.
 * Shinobu of Ninin ga Shinobuden spends about half an episode perpetually doing this while dressed as a Catgirl.
 * Fujimura Taiga (Tiger) does this a lot in Fate Stay Night.
 * Togusa from Ghost in The Shell 1.5: Human Error Processor. He expresses this to gloat his seniority and experience over his newbie partner Azuma, whose overconfidence ended up angering a woman they were transporting home.
 * The Fuchikoma occasionally sports one while being mischievous. An impressive achievement, considering it lacks a mouth.
 * Batou tends to have one whenever he's in a good mood, and even Aramaki, of all people, sports one now and then when he's really sticking it to a political opponent.
 * Koyuki from Keroro Gunsou wears this smile nearly as often as Konata does.
 * Tamama also does this too...that is, until something ticks him off.
 * Keiichi's sister Megumi in Ah My Goddess maintains this as a default expression, though it's a subtle curve rather than a complete alteration of human anatomy.
 * Otaku Erika Karisawa from Durarara often sports one of these.
 * Kururi Orihara has one when she's looking for Kasuka from the TV broadcast.
 * When the animation in Fullmetal Alchemist is Super Deformed, Alphonse's helmet can appear to have one of these.
 * This seems to be Furuya's default expression in Sankarea.
 * Kanda Yuusuke from Devil and Her Love Song :3
 * Edward has one in Cowboy Bebop when she looks up at Spike while telling him that Jet asked her to take care of his bonzai trees.
 * Ayumu Nishizawa sports one in episode 37 in the first season of Hayate the Combat Butler while gloating that she has a photo sticker with Hayate.
 * Hayate also gets one in episode 39.
 * Its practically the default smile for titular heroine, Index, from To Aru Majutsu no Index. And she smiles a lot.
 * Rokuna from Mon Colle Knights.
 * Ryoga from Ranma 1/2 does this a couple of times in the episode where he's possessed by Maomolin the ghost cat.
 * Koko from Jormungand has this as a frequent expression.
 * Kyubey from Puella Magi Madoka Magica wears this expression at all times, even when something unspeakably horrible is going on.
 * In the horror manga Emerging, Mori surprises Onotera with a Cat Smile while he's raging about Japan's lack of preparedness for a major disease outbreak... he's even further surprised when she starts gushing over the possibility that she could get a chance to study a disease as rare and deadly as Ebola.
 * "Chimp" Sarutobi from My Bride Is a Mermaid has a constant cat, or in this case, chimp smile due to his admittedly ape-like appearance and behavior.
 * Pokémon episode "Ditto's Mysterious Mansion". Misty does this briefly while making a snarky comment.
 * Yui Hirasawa in the K-On Omake.
 * Usagi Tsukino from Sailor Moon gives one to Luna in episode 31 when she playfully mocks the latter's words of wisdom from earlier at the start of the episode.
 * Alister Agrew in all incarnations of Last Exile, being much more playful and mischievous that it would be suggested by her outward appearance, constantly sports it when no one's looking.
 * THE iDOLM@STER - The Futami Twins do this sometimes.
 * THE iDOLM@STER - The Futami Twins do this sometimes.

Comic Books

 * Ocelotina in #4 of Empowered (see p155, you may miss it)

Film

 * It may not be too visible, but Maruti from The Return of Hanuman sports this smile briefly during his first meeting with Minku at a classroom.

Literature

 * Opal Koboi from Artemis Fowl is often described as grinning like a cat.
 * In Neverwhere, Neil Gaiman describes The Marquis de Carabas in very feline terms and at one point mentions him "grinning like a tiger that has spotted a lost child."

Role Playing Games

 * Tom from Ruby Quest does this occasionally, especially when he has a Covert Pervert moment.

Video Games

 * The Civilian's character portrait in Castle Crashers.
 * Etna from Disgaea is shown to have this face very often. It could also be said to be her default face.
 * There is a stuffed headcrab toy that has this expression.
 * Headcrabs don't even have faces!
 * Minato, of all people, gets one after Yukari tells him and Junpei not to look up her skirt during their monorail mission in the manga adaption of Persona 3.
 * NOVA, the comet from Kirby Super Star that grants wishes, has its mouth shaped like this.
 * This is also Chef Kawasaki's default expression. In Super Star Ultra (but not plain old Super Star), he has this smile in each one of his animations, even after you beat the mustard out of him.
 * In Katawa Shoujo, Shizune is seen using this expression several times.
 * One of Satori's expressions, from Touhou Project
 * Mad Scientist Catgirl Kokonoe from Blaz Blue, for obvious reasons.
 * Ditzy, distracted Catgirl Taokaka occasionally has this face.
 * Excellen. Browning. Especially in the Inspectors.
 * The Pokémon Maractus
 * Recette from Recettear displays a subtle one in the pause menu.
 * Monty Moles in Super Mario World, and some of the Podoboos in Yoshis Island. Raocow has taken to calling the latter "Catoboos" as a result.
 * Porings and their kin from Ragnarok Online.
 * Chocolat of Solatorobo does it most often, despite being a Caninu (dog person). Elh also does one once or twice, though any Felineko is likely capable of it.
 * Shizune from Katawa Shoujo does this when she's feeling competitive.

Web Original

 * Chaka of the Whateley Universe has what she likes to call her 'patent pending leopard grin'.
 * JESUS CHRIST, IT'S A LION, GET IN THE CAR!
 * 0>:3
 * WHAT?! JESUS CHRIST IS A LION?! WHAT DO WE DO NOW?!
 * Clearly this is a Chronicles of Narnia style metaphor.
 * Don't be silly. It's obviously Saint Mark.
 * I am a lion, rawr!
 * Data from Megaman Legends has a constant one.
 * The Nostalgia Critic has a tendency to do this whenever he's trying his best not to laugh. Lookit the cute dimple!
 * Yu-Gi-Oh the Abridged Series did it in "Seto Kaiba vs. The World"

Web Animation

 * An original from Happy Harry Toons from Newgrounds called "Hot Na'vi Sex" features Neytiri sporting an excellent one of these towards the middle of the animation.

Webcomics

 * Marigold in Questionable Content gets one after Hanners and Angus both call her pretty. Much to her embarrassment.
 * Marigold is again seen with a Cat Smile while dancing with Angus.
 * Hanners gets one when she can no longer resist her curiosity about Dora's supply of "party favors".
 * Even Faye gets to do one.
 * Jakkai in Slightly Damned do this, as well as Kieri in bunny form. Nonhuman anatomy.
 * Emily in this Misfile page. Complete with cat background.
 * Three Panel Soul does this one in relation to headcrabs.
 * Aeris from VG Cats here. Of course, she's an actual cat.
 * Happens in Ménage à 3 from time to time.
 * "Vodka Mutini", a mutant kittie, has this face on at all times in Homestuck. frequently uses the emoticon in conversation.
 * , fitting her cat theme, has one of these.
 * She also types with these, but as :33, as Alternian cats (Or at least her guardian)) have two mouths. (And 33 is the elemental number for arsenic -- her IM handle is 'arsenicCatnip'.)
 * Both Racer and Mach from Bomberman Land Parody. Keep in mind that they are both biological brothers in that comic.
 * On page 24 of Double K, Simon briefly sports a cat smile after being rescued by Kamina.
 * Trigger occasionally does this in Far Out There, usually when a prank is involved.
 * On occasion the feline kids in Precocious will do a rather menacing one
 * The Cyantian Chronicles: Tira uses this during Akaelae here, in the last panel. Which is odd, because she's a fox, not a cat!
 * Aggie in this strip of Penny and Aggie

Western Animation

 * Kitten from Teen Titans makes this face at one point.
 * Jin from Avatar: The Last Airbender. Girl Next Door in Ba Sing Se who is NOT ZUKO'S GIRLFRIEND!
 * Aang and Sokka make this face too at times.
 * In The Legend of Korra, Bolin seems to have trained in this art.
 * Otto the Mr. Fixit and Genius Ditz Cloudcuckoolander green robot monkey from Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go does this several times.
 * Pay close attention to Adventure Time's Finn the Human and you'll see him make this face. Along with a plethora of other humanly impossible expressions...
 * In Chowder he sports one whenever he gave Mung Huggies in the episode with his tongue.
 * James from Thomas the Tank Engine had one back when the show used sculpted faces.
 * In Thundercats 2011, Wily Kit and Wily Kat use this while trying to convince Lion-O to let them join him on his journey, as seen in this trailer, while Snarf does it while looking at a reflective geode.
 * Star Trek the Animated Series. Not surprisingly, the Catfolk Caitian Lieutenant M'Ress has one of these constantly.

Real Life

 * Summer Glau. Apparently.
 * Alyson Hannigan. It's most noticeable when she talks.
 * Zoe Bell.
 * Keira Knightley.
 * Michelle Pfeiffer
 * Dawn French.
 * Eva Green.
 * Eartha Kitt, to the extent that her obituary described her as "feline."
 * Not surprising, since she did play Catwoman at one point.
 * Meryl Streep.
 * Anne Hathaway.
 * Billie Piper.
 * Julia Roberts.
 * Britney Spears.
 * Jessica Simpson.
 * Mo'Nique
 * A rare male example: Jake Gyllenhaal. YMMV.
 * There are several male actors who can pull off the Lupinesque "long lion" smirk, Jake Gyllenhaal is one, but so is Harrison Ford, Brad Pitt (watch Oceans Eleven), Toby Stephens, Phillip Glennister, Eddie Izzard, Ryan Phillipe, David Schwimmer and oddly enough Weird Al Yankovic.
 * Natalie Dormer seems to sport this often in her photos.
 * Tomomi Itano of Japan's wildly popular AKB 48 has it in every photo she is in, to the point of starring in a commercial with a Tiger to emphasize it.
 * Riki Lindhome actually looks like a Cheshire Cat when she smiles.
 * Melanie Laurent
 * Thandie Newton
 * Sunny from K-Pop Girl Group, Girls Generation.
 * Some turtles have cat smiles. Like red ear sliders.
 * Ferrets.
 * Oddly, cats can't actually smile.
 * But they still sport this as a default expression.
 * They use alternate methods of displaying happiness.
 * They squint or shut their eyes when they're happy, bringing out the "3" mouth even more so the effect is the same.
 * Masahiro Sakurai, creator of the Kirby and Super Smash Brothers series, to the point of Image Boards declaring him to be Moe.
 * Andy Prieboy, formerly of Wall of Voodoo.
 * Guest From the Future star Natalia Guseva smiles like a cat.
 * Harry Potter actress Scarlett Byrne has this smile, though we don't see that in the films, as she plays the Alpha Bitch.