The top 10 includes four fabulous guys and six gorgeous girls. Who will you vote for?
Ladybeard, our friendly neighborhood bearded schoolgirl, has been extra busy recently promoting his idol band LADYBABY, performing in metal concerts and rocking the “muscley guy in cute clothing” angle. At the moment however, he’s most excited about making it to the finals of the 11th Annual Otaku Senryu Contest, which is a competition that seeks out the greatest “cat-eared, lolita-style character” to serve as the Nyanko Master of Ceremonies.
Presented by the .moe Internet domain (yes, that actually exists), the contest this year has no rules for who can participate. There are no restrictions based on age, gender or nationality, which explains the wonderful diversity of the top 10.
So who is Ladybeard facing off against in this cute and cat contest?
▼ First is Mitaka (female), who is looking to defend her title as the winner from last year.
https://twitter.com/mitaka_cos/status/696845001372733440▼ Then there is Poemu (female), who works at a maid café in Akihabara.
https://twitter.com/poepoedotcom/status/696705780586668033▼ Also competing is Magical Nekoji (male), who was chosen for the “Best 30” in the 28th annual Junon Super Boy Contest.
https://twitter.com/kazukisoe/status/694526863075471360But wait, there are more! Others in the top 10 include…
▼ Emi Arisaka (female)
一週間以上ぶりに自撮りした。お化粧も。仕方忘れるまであるな。 pic.twitter.com/aqGNZfbuRq
— 有坂愛海(37) 🍓🍊 (@arisakaemi) February 9, 2016
▼ Omochi Neko (female)
https://twitter.com/inoueaoi0308/status/696677665382608897▼ Goneko (male)
https://twitter.com/15nek0/status/696645724881092608▼ Metamon (male)
https://twitter.com/CCamus1226/status/696624812903440385▼ Hinariru Etopirika (female)
２ネコミミ目。 pic.twitter.com/dfTic9K53Q
— ひなりる(｡•θ•｡)♡笑顔で過ごす♡ (@noir_chat22) February 9, 2016
▼ Garo Dazay (female)
第11回オタク川柳&猫耳キャラコンテストの3次元の部ファイナリストに選ばれました！！
— 太宰ガロの復帰を今暫くお待ちください。 (@gr_dzy) February 8, 2016
是非ガロに投票よろしくお願いします！応援よろしくお願いします！
投票(3/7締切)はこちらから⇒ https://t.co/RAqwlujKjf pic.twitter.com/mmOK9XRSV3
Along side choosing a real-life “3-D character” winner, there is also a 2-D mascot contest where people have submitted their best lolita characters to compete for top prize. The top 10 finalists span a whole range of artistic styles but all of them feature the requisite cat ears.
All the “3-D” contestants are avid cosplayers so whoever is chosen will properly represent cat-eared people from Japan in the Paris Japan Expo. The Top 4 finalists, as determined by online vote, will fly to Paris as well as receive a cash prize. You can vote today for both 2-D and 3-D contests from now until March 7, so be sure to cast your ballot for the most “cat-eared lolita” here today!
Student amused to find entry—and corresponding visual—for “cat ears” in his electronic dictionary
Junon Super Boy Contest finalist wows the Internet with his beauty
A parade of Sanrio characters celebrate Cat Day over Twitter with cat ears and more
The “beautiful boy” Mister Bishoujo Contest is over, but who was crowned the prettiest boy?【Pics】
And the winner of the Street Fighter V “Miss Chun-Li Cosplay Contest” is… Zangief?!
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japanese hair salons going bankrupt in record numbers
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
Uniqlo’s high-end sunglasses are a fashion minefield for anyone who isn’t Mr. Sato
Beard Papa goes beyond just matcha with its new premium green tea cream puffs
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Eating cheap sushi in a narrow building in Tokyo is an adventure for bold diners
Hayao Miyazaki’s Whisper of the Heart concept art revealed in new Ghibli illustration book
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Sega opening 65th anniversary store in downtotn Tokyo with deep-cut game merch
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Google’s Go-playing AI has been turned into a beautiful, moe-ified anime character
Ladybeard x Sailor Suit Old Man star in “dream collaboration” at school!
【Monday Kickstart】See the silly kitty and more vying for the prize in the “Pet Bragging Contest”
Cute “koala” cat sings when she’s cuddled【Video】
Japanese cat with a cat on its face defeats countless rivals for Internet attention【Video】
Rice cats feel the cold, need omelette blankets this winter【Pics & Video】
Cat says good morning to its owner in Japanese【Videos】
Japanese high school boys hold annual beauty pageant, look as cute as ever【Pics】
Sleeve cats are taking over the internet in Japan this winter
Miss Universe contestants promote inner beauty with no-make-up selfies
Pokémon cat cosplay hoods are now on sale, and adorable【Photos】
Japanese cats appear to be building resistance to cat-deterrent spikes, Twitter reveals【Photos】
Japanese netizens create adorable, edible “cat bread” 【Pics】
Just a bunch of adorable cats riding on trains in Japan