What Is Kemono?

If you have spent any time in the furry fandom, you have probably seen the word kemono, on fursuit listings, artist pages and convention photos. But what does it actually mean, and what makes a fursuit "kemono"? This guide explains the term, the look that defines the style, and how it compares with other fursuit styles.

What does "kemono" mean?

Kemono (獣 / けもの) is a Japanese word that means "beast" or "animal". In the furry community it has come to describe a particular way of drawing and building anthropomorphic animal characters: one strongly influenced by Japanese anime and manga art.

You may also see the related term kemonomimi ("animal ears"). That usually refers to human characters with a few animal features, such as cat ears and a tail. Kemono characters go further, they are animal characters through and through, drawn in that soft, expressive anime inspired style.

What does a kemono fursuit look like?

Every maker interprets the style a little differently, but kemono fursuits tend to share a recognisable set of features:

• Big, expressive eyes. Eyes are the focal point of a kemono head and are often large and rounded, giving the character a friendly, emotive look.
• Rounded, soft face shapes. Cheeks are full, the head shape is smooth, and the overall feel is cute rather than fierce.
• A short, small muzzle. Compared with realistic suits, the muzzle is compact, which keeps the face looking youthful and anime like.
• Clean, readable markings. Colours are often bright or pastel, with simple, bold markings that read well in photos and from across a room.
• Character over realism. The goal is to capture your character's personality, the way it might look in an illustration, rather than to imitate a real animal exactly.

Kemono vs. toony vs. realistic fursuits

Fursuits are often grouped into three broad styles. The lines between them are not strict, and many suits mix elements of more than one.

None of these is "better" than the others, the right style is the one that matches how you picture your character.

Who is the kemono style for?

The kemono style is popular with people who love anime and manga, with anyone whose fursona is drawn in a cute or soft style, and with first time suiters who want a character that photographs well and feels approachable at conventions. Because the style is about expression, it works for almost any species, foxes, cats, dogs, dragons, bunnies and fully original creatures alike.

Heads, partials and fullsuits

A kemono character can be brought to life in stages. Many people start with a kemono head, then add paws and a tail, or go straight to a partial or fullsuit. If you are deciding between them, our guide How to Choose Your First Kemono Fursuit compares each option in detail.

Getting a kemono fursuit from KemonoFursuits

Kemono is the style our studio is built around. If you would like your own character made in it, this is how it works with us:

• Start with your character. Send us your reference sheet or artwork through the quote form. Don't have a character yet? Our Create Your First Fursona page will help you get started.
• Get an individual quote. Commissions start at $750 for a head, $1,200 for a Mini Partial, $1,800 for a Full Partial and $3,500 for a digitigrade fullsuit, and every design is priced individually. See pricing for details.
• Pay in instalments if you prefer. A deposit reserves your slot, and the balance can be paid weekly, bi weekly or monthly. See payment plans.
• Follow the build. You receive progress photos for approval during the build, and every finished suit gets a full quality check before it ships. Our current lead time is 4–6 months. Read more about our process.

Prefer not to wait for a commission? Browse the store for kemono pieces that are ready to ship.

In short

"Kemono" comes from the Japanese word for "beast", and in the furry fandom it describes an anime inspired style of animal character: big expressive eyes, soft rounded faces, short muzzles and clean, colourful markings. A kemono fursuit brings that illustrated look into the real world, so your character can look just as expressive in person as it does on paper.