Mimis 2.0

The precise origins of Mimis, or humans with animal ears and some animal traits, is a hotly debated topic between theologians, scientists, and philosophers, with the currently dominating theory being that they evolved in parallel with mankind. Owing to slightly lower birthrates, humanity outnumbers the various Mimis types, but the special needs of these children are addressed in larger districts by having specially trained teachers to help the kids' mainstream. While instinctive drives are not a problem for every Mimi child, or at least a notable one, it is the way to bet.

Mimis are characterized primarily by their animal like ears and tail, though some also share distinctive marking with their animal type or breed. Another indicator is subtly different, or not so subtly different, teeth. Also, they are often, especially while very young, subtly different from their human peers. Not inferior, not superior, just different. By having integrated recesses, and as many grown Mimis teaching human children as possible, the dangers to society of bigotry are lessened. It is, after all, hard to feel superior racially to a person who can tan your hide at any time and seems to know just about everything.

Mimis are often very capable in one field or another, usually associated with their animal type, but whether this is nature or nurture is again a hotly debated topic. Take the example of an Inu-jin with the coloration of a collie defending smaller/weaker kids as sheepdogs defended their flocks from wolves. Is this the nature of the breed, or simply how this particular individual chooses to express his or her heritage letting that define them much as the Irish celebrate drinking and despising the English? No one really knows, or probably will ever know. Is a Kinezumi-jin fast because he is a squirrel, or because he always knew squirrels were fast and agile, and that gave him the confidence needed to excel at track and field?

On the other hand, mimis may have traits of the animal they represent. This isn't for things like wolves having super-hearing and other such 'superior' things. These are more along the lines of subtle characteristics. A neko-jin may possibly be more curious than somebody else. A neko-jin, or anyone of the feline class, might purr when happy. A sheep may bleat. A lion may be lazy and sleep a lot. Yarn may get to a neko. An ushi-jin (cow) may moo when happy. These are subtle and non-defining characteristics.

There are many types of Mimis; here is a short list of those most common. To go outside of this list, you will require permission from a moderator. Also of note, LAND MAMMALS ONLY. No reptiles. No semi-aquatic mammals. No marsupials. There may be exceptions, but you have to ask me first.

Before the short list, however, ask yourself a few questions:

1. Does the original animal you were intending on making a kemonomimi on have limbs, ears, and a tail? If you answered no, please try again.

2. Okay, so you did answer yes. You've got an animal that has limbs, ears, and tails. Now, for your next question. Is it a land mammal? If you answered, 'It's a semi-aquatic mammal' or 'It's a marsupial,' then go back to step one.

3. Does your animal have extreme characteristics such as a long neck or long nose such as a trunk, or you are planning on including super-sharp hearing, seeing, and smelling? If you answered yes, then go back to step one.

4. Does your animal have wings, such as a bat or other flying mammals? If you answered yes, then go back to step one.

Also, no monkeys, apes, or any other primate that's not a human. No horns. No spikey-spikes.

Those questions should help you figure out if your mimi is right for this roleplay!

Now, here's the short list of common kemonomimis:

Inu-jin: Dogs
Neko-jin: Cats
Usagi-jin: Bunnies
Kitsune-jin: Foxes
Nezumi-jin: Mice
Kinezumi-jin: Squirrels
Ookami-jin: Wolves
Tanuki-jin: Raccoons
Kuma-jin: Bears

Remember, how exactly your character deals with his or her heritage is an individual thing, depending on your Mimi’s experiences as much as anything else. There is a definite tendency towards instincts one would associate in the animals they so resemble in younger children, but as they grow and find more stable role models, defining and redefining themselves in the process of growing up, these animalistic traits seem to fall to the wayside more often than not.