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?!
Starbucks Japan releases a new Cream Puff Frappuccino for a limited time
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Is Japan’s Crab-shaped Cup Ramen Timer worth the hype?
Cherry blossom Totoro cake brings pink sakura sweetness to Tokyo this White Day
Majority of Japanese mayors say foreign residents are essential but most see good and bad effects
Shinjuku izakaya’s all-you-can-eat-and-drink plan is one of Tokyo’s best secret cheap eats
Mister Donut unveils new sakura doughnuts for cherry blossom season 2026
Silicone testicle covers banned from Japanese sauna following cups being left behind and on shelves
Mister Donut and Godiva continue their sweet sweets relationship with new treats on sale now in Japan
Ultimate Japan Super Budget Dining! Our very best 1,000-yen chain restaurant meals this year
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Japanese government planning higher ticket prices for foreign tourists at Tokyo National Museum
Is Tokyo Station’s startlingly expensive wagyu bento boxed lunch worth its high price?[Taste test]
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Studio Ghibli now sells Ursula’s backpack from Kiki’s Delivery Service at its anime shop in Japan
Live-action One Piece’s Luffy teaches Sesame Street’s Elmo a Japanese word for friendship[Video]
Sakura Festival in Chiyoda mixes illuminations, boats, music, and Rilakkuma in the heart of Tokyo
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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】