The Batman comic series from DC features a dazzling variety of iconic characters, from the Dark Knight himself to famous villains like the clownish Joker and everything in between. For example, Batman has allies such as Barbara Gordon/Batgirl and Robin to back him up, and sometimes, he gets help from the sly rogue Catwoman, too.
Selina Kyle is an antihero who puts on a black cat-themed costume during her adventures as a burglar, and she is popular for her tumultuous relationship with Batman and her slick, roguish ways. She is part hero, part criminal, and all fun, and there are many similar characters from other universes, such as those from Japanese anime. These characters have a few things in common with Catwoman, often in unexpected ways.
10 Yoruichi Shihoin Really Is A Cat-Woman (Bleach)
In almost every regard, the retired Soul Reaper Yoruichi Shihoin is the Catwoman of Bleach, even if she doesn’t rob rich people in Gotham. Like DC’s Catwoman, Yoruichi is a stealthy and agile melee fighter who tends to operate alone, though she can also be a team player when necessary.
Yoruichi also shares Catwoman’s roguish charm as a slick and independent-minded hero who lives life and fights on her own terms. And if that weren’t enough, she actually can morph into a black cat with a masculine voice. In her Captain days, she alluded to her cat nature in some subtle ways to complete the theme.
9 Nezuko Kamado Is Tanjiro’s Fleet-Footed Ally (Demon Slayer)
Most other anime characters don’t mirror Catwoman as closely as Bleach‘s Yoruichi Shihoin does, but all the same, plenty of other characters loosely have the same role in their own stories that Catwoman does in Batman comics. An example is the adorable but deadly Nezuko Kamado, sister of the shonen hero Tanjiro Kamado.
Like Catwoman, Nezuko is a melee fighter with sharp claws and an agility-based fighting style, and she has the benefit of being a powerful demon on top of that. Nezuko is also a rogue hero, since she is technically humanity’s enemy but doesn’t mean any harm.
8 Kohaku Is Senku’s Agile Ally (Dr. Stone)
Kohaku may not have a cool hero costume, and she would be totally lost in cities like Gotham. But she does serve a similar role in Dr. Stone that Catwoman does in Batman comics, with her being Senku’s loyal but independent-minded ally who can look after herself. She is the Ishigami village’s #1 hunter and warrior.
The comparison is even better when Batman and Senku Ishigami are compared as well, with both of them being witty heroes who use gadgets and brilliant plans to defeat strong foes such as Bane and Tsukasa Shishio. Catwoman and Kohaku definitely feel very similar in that context.
7 Thorfinn Karlsefni Is An Angrier Catawoman (Vinland Saga)
Thorfinn Karsefni should remind Vinland Saga fans of a variety of fictional characters who rely on speed, agility, and knives to fight, and that might even include Catwoman, despite their aesthetic differences. Thorfinn would feel silly wearing a cat-themed suit, but otherwise, he’s oddly similar to Catwoman, and he would respect her abilities greatly.
Like Catwoman, Thorfinn is a quick and agile fighter who reluctantly fights alongside a stronger, more influential character, with Askeladd being Vinland Saga‘s Batman. Thorfinn and Catwoman are also pragmatic opportunists and might ditch their stronger allies if they see fit to.
6 Touka Kirishima Is A Tricky Antihero (Tokyo Ghoul)
Like Catwoman, the ghoul Touka Kirishima is a nimble and self-sufficient rogue who can easily navigate an urban jungle while also being a loose ally of the hero – in this case, the bookish Ken Kaneki, the one-eyed ghoul. Touka tends to eat human flesh rather than steal jewels, though.
These two characters have a lot of overlap in their personal lives and fighting style, and that includes their bond with the main character. Touka didn’t always get along with Ken, but they were undeniably attracted to one another, and in the end, they got their happily ever after.
5 Souei Is A Ninja Ogre (That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime)
Rimuru Tempest the isekai hero needs a wide variety of allies on his side to protect his monster kingdom, and not all of them rely on brute strength the way Milim and Benimaru do. Among the ogres is the ninja-like Souei, who is slick, aloof, and cool like Catwoman.
Souei should appeal to Catwoman fans or fans of any stealthy ninja hero, since he can perform advanced moves to take Rimuru’s enemies by surprise and look way cool while doing it. He only plays a supporting role, but he is loyal to Rimuru, and that’s what counts the most.
4 Lisanna Strauss Has Her Catwoman Moments (Fairy Tail)
The similarities between Catwoman and the Fairy Tail wizard Lisanna Strauss are most obvious when Lisanna uses her animal-themed Take Over magic to become a battle-ready cat girl, complete with a tail and ears on her head. She doesn’t need a superhero costume – her body becomes the costume.
Lisanna plays a supporting role in the story, much like Catwoman, and she has a positive relationship with the hero, too. In this case, Natsu Dragneel. She is also agile, quick, and deadly in combat, like a jungle cat. She’s not the type to steal jewels, though.
3 Himiko Toga Is A Twisted Catwoman (My Hero Academia)
It’s usually the heroes or roguish antiheroes who may remind anime fans of Catwoman, but sometimes, villains count too. An example is the shapeshifting League of Villains member Himiko Toga, who, like Catwoman, has a tricky relationship with the protagonist. It’s complicated, to say the least.
The comparisons continue with Himiko’s fighting style, where she relies on agility, speed, and trickery to get the edge on her foes, just like Catwoman. She is also a criminal who wouldn’t think twice about breaking into a vault to swipe all the gold and jewels inside if Tomura Shigaraki ordered her to.
2 Tamaki Kotatsu Is Catwoman On Fire (Fire Force)
Tamaki Kotatsu, as a member of Company 8, would never dream of stealing jewels, but she does share Catwoman’s basic fighting style. She is a well-trained young lady who emphasizes agility, speed, and melee combat, and after training with Benimaru Shinmon, she became stronger than ever for the battles to come.
Tamaki has a clear cat theme with her third-generation pyrokinetic powers, forming ears and a tail with pink flames in combat. Her durability may be low, but, like Catwoman, she can get the edge if she takes her foes by surprise in an urban environment with plenty of hiding places.
1 Bell Hydra Is Staz’s Slick Ally (Blood Lad)
The obscure but charming anime series Blood Lad is ideal for a scare-free Halloween evening, and it also features a few characters who would feel at home in the comedic Batman cartoons. That includes the blonde Bell Hydra, a demon girl who can use portals like a pro.
Like Catwoman, Bell is the antihero’s loose ally who has a tumultuous personal relationship with him, but they get along reasonably well. Hydra is a clever and resourceful supporting character who may help Staz sometimes, but only if she gets something out of it, too. She’s an independent associate, not a minion to be bossed around.
Next: Catwoman: 10 Ways Selina Kyle’s Origin Story Has Changed In the Comics
Next 8 Anime Villains Who Actually Turned Themselves In
About The Author
Louis Kemner (3927 Articles Published)
Louis Kemner has been a fan of Japanese animation since 1997, when he discovered Pokemon and Dragon Ball Z in elementary school. Now he’s a bigger anime/manga fan than ever, and is ready to share what he knows with readers worldwide. He graduated high school in 2009 and received his Bachelor’s in creative writing from UMKC in 2013, then put his skills to work in 2019 with CBR.com. He’s always looking for a wonderful new anime to watch or manga series to read. You can reach him at lkemner2000@yahoo.com.
