View source for Moe anthropomorphism

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Short description|Form of anthropomorphism in anime and manga}}
{{Italic title|string=Moe}}
[[File:Wikipe-tan conducting.png|upright=0.8|thumb|Wikipe-tan, a combination of the Japanese word for Wikipedia and the friendly suffix for children, ''[[-tan]]'',<ref name="Maciamo">{{cite web |author=Maciamo |year=2004 |publisher=Jref.com |title=How to Use Japanese Suffixes |url= http://www.jref.com/language/japanese_suffixes.shtml }}</ref> is a ''[[Moe (slang)|moe]]'' anthropomorph of Wikipedia.]] <!--Please use, unless you can find a better free use alternative-->

{{jp|'''''Moe'' anthropomorphism'''|萌え擬人化|moe gijinka|lead=yes}} is a form of [[anthropomorphism]] in [[anime]], [[manga]], and games where ''[[Moe (slang)|moe]]'' qualities are given to non-human beings (such as animals, plants, supernatural entities and fantastical creatures), objects, concepts, or phenomena.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Galbraith|first=Patrick W.|title=Moe| url=https://jmpc-utokyo.com/keyword/moe/|access-date=2020-06-08|website=Japanese Media and Popular Culture: An Open-Access Digital Initiative of the University of Tokyo|language=en-US}}</ref> In addition to ''moe'' features, ''moe'' anthropomorphs are also characterized by their accessories, which serve to emphasize their original forms before anthropomorphosis. The characters here, usually in a kind of [[cosplay]], are drawn to represent an inanimate object or popular consumer product. Part of the humor of this [[personification]] comes from the personality ascribed to the character (often [[Satire|satirical]]) and the sheer arbitrariness of characterizing a variety of machines, objects, and even physical places as cute.

This form of anthropomorphism is very common in ''[[otaku]]'' subcultures. With the exception of ''kemonomimi'' (which are human-like characters that have animal features), many ''moe'' anthropomorphizations started as ''[[dōjin]]'' efforts. An early form of moe anthropomorphism is the [[Gundam]] MS Girl created by Mika Akitaka in 1982.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ashcraft |first=Brian| url=https://kotaku.com/gundam-as-girls-5505193|title=Gundam As Girls|publisher=Kotaku|date=March 30, 2010| access-date=May 5, 2019}}</ref> Many anthropomorphizations were the results of discussions on [[Japan]]ese [[Internet forum]]s such as [[2channel]] or [[Futaba Channel]]. The trend spread out of ''dōjin'' circles as commercial anime and manga also prominently feature characters who are personifications of inanimate objects.

==Sociological aspects==
The [[media studies]] scholar Yuji Sone has argued that since ''moe'' anthropomorphism is usually personified by [[Bishojo|beautiful young girls]], it is an example of the outgrowth of otaku subcultural [[Habitus (sociology)|habitus]] into sexual fantasies.<ref>{{Cite journal| last=Sone| first=Yuji| date=2014-08-07|title=Canted Desire: Otaku Performance in Japanese Popular Culture| journal=Cultural Studies Review|language=en|volume=20|issue=2|pages=196–222| doi=10.5130/csr.v20i2.3700| issn=1837-8692|doi-access=free}}</ref> The [[psychologist]] [[Tamaki Saitō]] regards ''moe'' anthropomorphism as an example of ''[[mitate-e]]'' art due to its simultaneous use of both [[High art|high]] and [[Low culture|low art]] to provide additional, sometimes humorous, meanings.<ref>{{Cite book|title=キャラクター精神分析 ─マンガ・文学・日本人|trans-title=Character psychoanalysis ─ manga · literature · Japanese| first=Saitō|last= Tamaki| date=2011| publisher=Chikuma Shobō|isbn=978-4-480-84295-4 | location=Tōkyō|language=ja| oclc=709665062|page=179}}</ref> Saitō also connects this anthropomorphism with a "desire for transformation" associated with the {{lang|ja-latn|[[shōjo]]}} (girl) form.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Galbraith|first=Patrick W.|title=Researching twenty-first century Japan : new directions and approaches for the electronic age|publisher=Lexington Books|year=2012|isbn=978-0-7391-7014-4|editor-last=Iles|editor-first=Timothy|location=Lanham, Md.|pages=354|chapter=Moe: Exploring Virtual Potential in Post-Millennial Japan|oclc=756592455|editor-last2=Matanle|editor-first2=Peter C. D.|chapter-url=https://www.academia.edu/3665389|access-date=2020-12-17|archive-date=2021-07-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725075647/https://www.academia.edu/3665389|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Types==
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[[File:Nekomimi mspaint.gif|thumb|A ''[[Catgirl|nekomimi]],'' a type of ''kemonomimi'' with the ears of a cat]]

===Animals===
{{nihongo|''Kemonomimi''|{{linktext|獣耳}}}}, literally meaning "animal ears", is the concept of depicting human and human-like characters with animal ears,<ref name="cr"/> and by extension, other features such as tails.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Perdijk|first=Paul|title=Database Consumption|url=https://jmpc-utokyo.com/keyword/database-consumption/|access-date=2021-02-22|website=Japanese Media and Popular Culture: An Open-Access Digital Initiative of the University of Tokyo|language=en-US}}</ref> Kemonomimi is often used in moe anthropomorphism, to depict animal characters in human form.<ref name="cr">{{cite web |last1=Planty |first1=Blake |title=From Bakeneko to Bakemonogatari: The Secret History of Catgirls |url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2020/07/19/from-bakeneko-to-bakemonogatari-the-secret-history-of-catgirls |website=Crunchyroll |access-date=5 February 2021 |language=en-us}}</ref> [[Catgirl]]s and catboys are the most prolific and common in this category, although bunnygirls, foxgirls, doggirls, and wolfgirls are also common. Kemonomimi characters typically appear human except for added animal-like qualities. In [[Hiroki Azuma]]'s theory of otaku [[database consumption]], animal ears are one type of "''moe'' element," which is combined with other elements in a character in order to create an affective response in fans.<ref name=":0" /> A notable franchise featuring moe anthropomorphism and ''kemonomimi'' is ''[[Kemono Friends]]'', which is focused on a myriad of [[Anthropomorphism|anthropomorphized]] animals in the form of girls and young women, ranging from real and [[extinct]] animals to [[cryptid]]s and [[legendary creature]]s. Another notable series is ''[[Uma Musume Pretty Derby]]'' which focuses on girls as famous Japanese [[racehorses]]. Mimiketto is a [[doujinshi convention]] dedicated to ''kemonomimi'' works.<ref name=":0" />

===Mythological and fantasy creatures===
When ''moe'' appearances are given to various creatures from folklore, mythology or fantasy, they are usually called monster girls (or sometimes boys). Their bestial traits may be fully retained, de-emphasized into mere personality tics or removed altogether. An early example of this is with the video game series ''[[Touhou Project]]'' beginning in 1996 which depicts ''[[yōkai]]'' and other mythical beings as young beautiful girls and women who use magic to unleash a barrage of intricate projectile patterns called ''danmaku'', or [[bullet hell]].<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.pcgamer.com/an-introduction-to-touhou-project-japans-biggest-indie-series/|title=An introduction to Touhou Project: Japan's biggest indie series|publisher=PC Gamer|date=April 21, 2015| access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref> It was further popularized by such manga as ''[[Monster Musume]]'' and ''[[A Centaur's Life]]'', and has grown into its own genre.<ref>{{Cite news| first=Lynzee| last=Loveridge| url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/the-list/2015-03-28/.86269| title=The List - 7 Manga for Monster Girl Lovers| publisher=[[Anime News Network]] | date=2015-03-28| access-date=2018-02-22}}</ref> Rarely, the monster girls are relatively unchanged from their original form and personality, such as [[Mermaids in popular culture|mermaids]] and [[centaurides]].

The fan-created [[Bowsette]], a gender-swapped and ''moe'' anthropomorphized version of the ''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]'' antagonist [[Bowser]] that gives him the appearance of [[Princess Peach]] via the "Super Crown" powerup, became one of the most popular [[Internet meme]]s of 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Asarch|first=Steven |date=2018-12-20|title=KnowYourMeme and Newsweek have compiled a list of the Top 10 Video Game Memes of 2018|url=https://www.newsweek.com/2018-memes-top-best-knowyourmeme-video-game-bowsette-waluigi-1267285|access-date=2020-09-25|website=Newsweek|language=en}}</ref> The popularity of the character later led to other ''Mario'' enemies being given ''moe'' interpretations, the most prominent of which was Boosette (based on the [[King Boo]] character).<ref>{{Cite web| title=After Bowsette, Fans Go Wild For Boosette|url=https://kotaku.com/after-bowsette-fans-go-wild-for-boosette-1829322662|access-date=2020-09-25|website=Kotaku|date=26 September 2018 |language=en-us}}</ref>

===Computers===
{{See also|OS-tan}}
{{self-reference|"Wikipe-tan" redirects here. For the Wikipedia mascot page, see [[WP:Wikipe-tan]].}}

Although ''[[Chobits]]'' (2001) and Toy's iMac Girl (1998)<ref>{{Cite web |title=MACHINERY BABES |url=http://www.toyboxarts.com/gallery/extra/mbabes-iCandy1/mbabes.html |access-date=2024-08-19 |website=www.toyboxarts.com}}</ref> came first, the [[Internet meme|meme]] of turning [[List of Internet phenomena|computer-related phenomena]] into ''moe'' subjects did not start until {{nihongo|Shiitake-chan|しいたけちゃん}}, the anthropomorphization of [[Internet Explorer]]'s ''Stop'' button. The idea of Shiitake-chan came in 2001 on [[2channel]], starting with a poster who claims he saw the ''Stop'' button as a [[shiitake]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://salami.2ch.net/entrance/kako/1005/10053/1005329005.html| title="I'm Worried that the Stop Button on IE Looks Like a Shiitake" on a 2ch archive| language=ja| access-date=2007-03-06| archive-date=2007-10-23| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023021944/http://salami.2ch.net/entrance/kako/1005/10053/1005329005.html| url-status=dead}}</ref> When Microsoft released [[Windows 7]] in Japan, they included a theme pack centered around a personification of the OS named "[[Madobe Nanami|Nanami Madobe]]" with voice samples from [[Nana Mizuki]]. Microsoft used another personification involving two girls named "Yū Madobe" and "Ai Madobe" to promote [[Windows 8]] in Japan.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://weekly.ascii.jp/elem/000/000/174/174795/|title=窓辺ファミリー全員集結!! DSP版限定ウィンドウズ8.1が10月4日予約開始【追記あり】|last=週刊アスキー|website=週刊アスキー| access-date=27 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://akiba-pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/news/20131004_618102.html|title=DSP版Windows 8.1の予約受付け開始、限定版は一部でもう完売 限定版は3種類|last=株式会社インプレス|date=4 October 2013|website=impress.co.jp|access-date=27 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://akiba-souken.com/article/pc-parts/17816/| title=「Windows 8.1 発売記念パック 窓辺ファミリーバージョン」の予約が瞬殺！ マウス付きも数少なめ - アキバ総研| website=akiba-souken.com|access-date=27 November 2018}}</ref> As part of the market launch, a Facebook draw of 8 followers took place when follower count reaches 80001; and total Twitter follower count for Yū and Ai reach 8001, where winners receive Madobe Yū and Ai-themed prizes.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/20131004_618115.html|title=窓辺ファミリーの特典付きDSP版 Windows 8.1 Proが限定発売に ～DSP版Windows 7は今後も当面併売|last=株式会社インプレス|date=4 October 2013| website=impress.co.jp|access-date=27 November 2018}}</ref>

Since the creation of the Microsoft-related [[OS-tan]]s,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Souppouris |first=Aaron |date=2013-11-07 |title=A visual history of Microsoft's anime fetish |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/11/7/5076356/microsoft-anime-character-photo-essay |access-date=2021-04-04 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Wallis |first=Cara |date=2015-03-04 |title=Gender and China's Online Censorship Protest Culture |url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14680777.2014.928645 |journal=Feminist Media Studies |language=en |volume=15 |issue=2 |pages=223–238 |doi=10.1080/14680777.2014.928645 |s2cid=144108719 |issn=1468-0777|url-access=subscription }}</ref> other software and websites have been anthropomorphized as well. For example, [[Wikipedia]] has its own "Wikipe-tan",<ref>{{Cite thesis |title=The Ironic Performances of Internet Counter-Narratives Resisting Regime Censorship in China |url=https://mars.gmu.edu/handle/1920/8161 |date=2013-07-31 |degree=Master |language=en |first=Yi Pik |last=Chau |publisher=George Mason University}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Petersen |first=Robert |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ck7EEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA183 |title=Comics, Manga, and Graphic Novels: A History of Graphic Narratives |date=2010-11-18 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing USA |isbn=978-0-313-36331-3 |pages=183 |language=en}}</ref> while [[Mozilla]] applications have their own set of "Moezilla".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-08-16 |title=Wikipedia is not Mozilla but "Moezilla" |url=https://gigazine.net/gsc_news/en/20060816_moezilla/ |access-date=2024-08-19 |website=GIGAZINE |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Moezilla |date=2022-05-15 |work=維基百科，自由的百科全書 |url=https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-tw/Moezilla |access-date=2024-08-19 |language=zh-Hant-TW}}</ref> Chinese netizens have created a "[[Green Dam Girl]]" to parody China's [[content-control software]] [[Green Dam Youth Escort]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8106526.stm|date=2009-06-18|work=BBC News| title=China clarifies web filter plans|access-date=2009-06-20}}</ref> In 2010, Taiwanese illustrator known as "shinia" on [[Pixiv]] created a personification of [[Microsoft Silverlight]] named [[Hikaru Aizawa]], who is officially promoted by Microsoft Taiwan.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.microsoft.com/taiwan/silverlight/|title=Microsoft - Silverlight 第二彈 進化再生| publisher=[[Microsoft]]|access-date=March 14, 2012|language=zh}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/1101/25/news075.html| title=ねとらぼ：台湾MSの萌えるSilverlight「藍澤光」が日本上陸 pixivで公認イラストイベント|publisher=ITmedia|date=January 25, 2011| access-date=March 14, 2012| language=ja}}</ref> In 2013, Microsoft Singapore introduced [[Inori Aizawa]], a mascot for [[Internet Explorer]].

The manga and anime series ''[[World War Blue]]'' features characters who are personifications of computer games. Video games with characters based on them include ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'', ''[[Super Mario]]'' and ''[[Tetris]]''. ''[[Sega Hard Girls]]'' features personifications of video game hardware by [[Sega]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-06-10/sega-hard-girls-cg-tv-anime-high-school-story-staff-date-unveiled/.75396|title=Sega Hard Girls CG TV Anime's High School Story, Staff, Date Unveiled|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=June 10, 2014|access-date=August 29, 2014}}</ref>

===Law and politics===
[[File:ISIS Chan by Ellie Smiley.jpg|thumb|[[ISIS-chan]] is the ''moe'' anthropomorphism of [[Islamic State of Iraq and Syria|ISIS]].<ref name=bbc/>]]
Elements of the [[Constitution of Japan|Japanese constitution]] have been anthropomorphized into ''moe'' girls, such as [[Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution|Article 9]], which prevents Japan from waging war, being "portrayed as a peace-loving girl."<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-06-29/constitution-girls-book-turns-law-into-moe-girls| title=''Constitution Girls'' Book Turns Law Into Moe Girls| publisher=[[Anime News Network]]| date=June 29, 2011|access-date=June 30, 2011}}</ref>

In 2010, users from the Breaking News board on [[2channel]] created [[Hinomoto Oniko]] as an anthropomorphism of the commonly used Chinese ethnic slur used against Japanese, [[Riben guizi]] (日本鬼子), literally meaning "Japanese devils". The character was made by the 2channel community in response to the growing anti-Japanese sentiment amongst Chinese netizens online, and has since become an [[Internet meme]] within Japanese imageboards and forums. In Japanese, the [[kun'yomi]] reading of the [[kanji]] which make up the racial slur can be interpreted as a [[Japanese name|female personal name]], and so the character is depicted as a young female wearing a traditional Japanese [[kimono]], along with devil horns and a [[katana]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.libertytimes.com/2010/new/nov/1/today-int5.htm| script-title=zh:萌系日本鬼子 反攻中國| publisher=The Liberty Times|language=zh|date=November 2, 2010| access-date=November 5, 2010|url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101103022506/http://www.libertytimes.com.tw/2010/new/nov/1/today-int5.htm|archive-date=November 3, 2010}}</ref>

In 2015, Internet users created "[[ISIS-chan]]" (ISISちゃん), a ''moe'' anthropomorphized character of the [[jihadist]] group [[Islamic State of Iraq and Syria]] (ISIS). Images of her have been used by [[Anonymous (group)|Anonymous]] to dilute the Islamic State's online propaganda.<ref name=bbc>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-33608369|title=Anonymous targets IS sympathisers on Twitter|publisher=BBC|date=July 21, 2015|access-date=July 21, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal| last=Johansson|first=Anna|date=2018-01-02|title=ISIS-chan – the meanings of the Manga girl in image warfare against the Islamic State|journal=Critical Studies on Terrorism|language=en| volume=11| issue=1|pages=1–25|doi=10.1080/17539153.2017.1348889|s2cid=149119529|issn=1753-9153}}</ref>

===Others===
Other things have also been given ''moe'' characteristics:

; Cells:
The manga ''[[Cells at Work!]]'' depicts the [[Cell (biology)|cells]] of the [[human body]] as both male and female characters.

; Charcoal:
Based on ''[[binchōtan]]'' and other types of [[charcoal]], the anime and manga ''[[Binchō-tan (manga)|Binchō-tan]]'' uses the ''[[dajare]]'' in the Japanese word for {{nihongo|coal|炭|tan}} to create a series of cute girls.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}

; Chemical elements and compounds:
Many online artists have depicted [[chemical elements]] as human characters in their [[illustrations]], [[webcomics]] and [[video games]]. Anthropomorphism of chemical elements is created more than that of chemical compounds. Notable examples are, a Japanese chemical company depicted their solvent products as ''moe'' in an online webcomic and another one is an ongoing English webcomic about personified chemical compounds by a Romanian illustrator who works as a [[drycleaner]] {{Citation needed|reason=please|date=April 2024}}.

; Countries:
As with [[national personification]]s, ''moe'' versions of various [[country|countries]] are present. For example, Japan is Nihon-chan,<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.geocities.jp/nannbakumi/tobira/top.htm|title=Nihon-chan a la carte |access-date = 2008-04-23| language = ja| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181108081325/http://www.geocities.jp/nannbakumi/tobira/top.htm| archive-date=2018-11-08 |url-status = dead}}</ref> [[Afghanistan]] is [[Afuganisu-tan]]<ref>{{Cite journal| last1=Cornevin| first1=Vanessa|last2=Forceville|first2=Charles|date=2017-11-20|title=From metaphor to allegory: The Japanese manga Afuganisu-tan|journal=Metaphor and the Social World| language=en| volume=7|issue=2|pages=235–251|doi=10.1075/msw.7.2.04cor| hdl=11245.1/9872caa0-a243-4abf-a58d-d0a30ee90f38|issn=2210-4070| url=https://pure.uva.nl/ws/files/22796990/CornevinForceville2017distributedversion.pdf|hdl-access=free}}</ref>—both have their own [[webcomic]]s in Japan. Beyond these, however, are the countries of [[Hidekaz Himaruya]]'s ''[[Hetalia: Axis Powers]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.geocities.jp/himaruya/hetaria/ |archive-url= https://archive.today/20120803103859/http://www.geocities.jp/himaruya/hetaria/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-08-03 |title=Axis Powers Hetalia |access-date=2008-05-30 |author=Hidekaz Himaruya |website = www.geocities.jp/himaruya |publisher=Geocities |language=ja }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Galbraith|first=Patrick W.|date=31 October 2009|title=Moe: Exploring Virtual Potential in Post-Millennial Japan|url=https://www.japanesestudies.org.uk/articles/2009/Galbraith.html|journal=Electronic Journal of Contemporary Japanese Studies|volume=9|issue=3|via=}}</ref> a manga depicting the countries involved in [[World War I]] and [[World War II]] using mostly men with only a few women mixed in. Toshio Miyake argues that ''Hetalia's'' appeal lies in its combination of comedy and male personification of nations, with implicit homoerotic themes.<ref>{{Citation| last=Miyake| first=Toshio| title=History as Sexualized Parody: Love and Sex Between Nations in Axis Powers Hetalia| date=2016| url=https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-55143-6_8|pages=151–173| editor-last=Otmazgin| editor-first=Nissim| series=East Asian Popular Culture |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |language=en| doi= 10.1057/978-1-137-55143-6_8| work=Rewriting History in Manga: Stories for the Nation| hdl=10278/3672616| isbn=978-1-137-55143-6|  editor2-last=Suter| editor2-first=Rebecca| hdl-access=free}}</ref>

; Cultural relics 
In a more unique take on  ''moe'' anthropomorphizations of Chinese cultural artifacts and heritage sites like the [[Goujian Sword]], [[Yangshi Lei Archives#Models|"Ironed models" of the Yangshi Lei Archives]]  and even the [[Great Wall of China|Great wall of China]] was the central theme in the 2021 [[Chinese animation|Donghua]] ''The'' ''Country of Rare Treasure'' ''(Nation of Treasure) 秘宝之国''<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://myanimelist.net/anime/42178/Mi_Bao_Zhi_Guo |title=Mi Bao Zhi Guo |language=en |access-date=2024-09-19 |via=myanimelist.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=哔哩哔哩番剧 |title=秘宝之国 |url=https://www.bilibili.com/bangumi/play/ss28759?spm_id_from=333.337.0.0 |access-date=2024-09-19 |website=www.bilibili.com |language=zh-CN}}</ref>
:
; Diseases
: During the 2014 [[Western African Ebola virus epidemic]], a user of the website [[4chan]] created an image depicting a ''moe'' version of [[Ebola]] known as [[Ebola-chan]].<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2014/09/22/4chans-latest-terrible-prank-convincing-west-africans-that-ebola-doctors-actually-worship-the-disease/|title=4Chan's latest, terrible 'prank': Convincing West Africans that Ebola doctors actually worship the disease |last=Dewey| first=Caitlin|date=September 22, 2014|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=May 28, 2020}}</ref> During the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], a ''moe'' version of the [[Coronavirus disease 2019]] named [[Corona-chan]] was created.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.vice.com/en/article/coronavirus-artists-coping-waifus-fursona-art/| title=As Coronavirus Spreads, Artists Are Coping with Waifus and Fursona Art| last=Cole| first=Samantha| date=March 18, 2020|website=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]|access-date=May 28, 2020}}</ref>

; Food and beverages
: [[Habanero-tan]], the unofficial [[mascot]] of [[Bōkun Habanero]]; and Bisuke-tan for biscuits that [[KFC]] sells in Japan. The light novel series ''[[Akikan!]]'' has soda cans that magically turn into girls. Jelly flavors have also been anthropomorphized.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-07-11/rie-kugimiya-rina-satou-3-others-voice-moe-jelly|title=Rie Kugimiya, Rina Satou, 3 Others Voice Moe Jelly|publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |date=July 11, 2011| access-date=July 13, 2011}}</ref>

; Historic eras
: A series of Japanese history books features anthropomorphism of historic events.<ref>{{cite book| isbn=978-4-569-77299-8| language = ja| trans-title=Chronology of Japanese history: Learn society's common knowledge obsession| title= Nihonshi nenpyō: Moete oboeru shakai| script-title= ja:日本史年表: 萌えて覚える社会の常識| author1 =日本史愛好倶楽部 [Nihonshi Alkō Kurabu]| publisher = PHP研究所 [PHP Institute]|location = Tokyo |date= 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |page = 119 | quote = For instance, an almanac of Japanese history by the Japanese History Aficionado's Club that spans the second-century Yamataikoku to the Russo-Japanese War (1904) introduces time periods and notable events, with each topic represented by its own moe-style anthropomorphism|jstor = 41551385|title = Wobbly Aesthetics, Performance, and Message: Comparing Japanese Kyara with their Anthropomorphic Forebears| last1 = Occhi| first1 = Debra J. |journal = Asian Ethnology|volume = 71|issue = 1|year = 2012}}</ref>

; Home appliances
: [[Eroge|Erotic computer games]] ''[[Like Life]]'' and ''Monogokoro, Monomusume'' both feature [[home appliance]]s as girls. These appliances include [[washing machine]]s, [[alarm clock]]s, blackboard erasers, [[pillow]]s, first aid boxes, [[mobile phone]]s, and even [[post box]]es, among others. The very nature of such games, however, puts the main characters in unusual situations when the sex scene happens—such as essentially "having sex with the washing machine". Likewise, the manga ''090 Eko to Issho'' features girls who are mobile phones.<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://kc.kodansha.co.jp/product?item=0000012045|title=『０９０ えこといっしょ。（１）』（亜桜 まる） 製品詳細 講談社コミックプラス| publisher=講談社コミックプラス|language=ja|access-date=2020-01-15}}</ref>

{{Anchor|Military hardware}}
; Military hardware
: ''Mecha musume'' are anthropomorphic personifications of military hardware, such as [[gun]]s, [[tank]]s, [[ship]]s, [[aircraft]] or even [[missile]]s. Popular subjects of this kind of anthropomorphism include [[World War II]] military vehicles, such as the ''[[Strike Witches]]'' franchise; collectible [[mecha]] musume figures of these vehicles have been released.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000QYNZDO/| title=Mecha Musume Figumate Figure Gashapon Set of 5 Konami| publisher=Amazon| access-date=August 19, 2011}}</ref> ''Moe'' anthropomorphisms of historical military ships as girls and young women ("ship girls") are also notable, as popularized by ''[[Kantai Collection]]'' and ''[[Azur Lane]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ship Girl Smart Phone Game Azur Lane Sets Sail as a TV Anime |url = http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2018/09/15-1/ship-girl-smart-phone-game-azur-lane-sets-sail-as-a-tv-anime | access-date = September 29, 2018 |publisher=Crunchyroll}}</ref>

; Vehicles
: Notable trains which were drawn as girls include the [[Fastech 360]], often drawn with cat ears because of the train's emergency [[air brake (aeronautics)|air braking]] plates. Called "Fastech-tan", this particular "train girl" has its own collectible figure, sold with permission from the [[East Japan Railway Company]].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www32.ocn.ne.jp/~ivynet/lineup002.htm |title=Train Anthropomorphism SuperExpress Train Girls "Fasutekku 360S"| language = ja | access-date=2007-03-06 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070505014702/http://www32.ocn.ne.jp/~ivynet/lineup002.htm |archive-date = 2007-05-05}}</ref> The [[bishōjo game]] ''[[Maitetsu]]'' and its anime version ''Rail Romanesque'' feature Railords, anthropomorphized train characters paired up with the real trains.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hodgkins|first=Crystalyn|date=2020-12-12|title=Rail Romanesque Anime Gets 2nd Season, Adds Rie Tanaka to Cast|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-12-12/rail-romanesque-anime-gets-2nd-season-adds-rie-tanaka-to-cast/.167360|access-date=2021-02-07|publisher=Anime News Network}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Hodgkins|first=Crystalyn|date=2019-12-27|title=Maitetsu Adult Game Gets TV Anime Shorts in 2020|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-12-27/maitetsu-adult-game-gets-tv-anime-shorts-in-2020/.154848|access-date=2021-02-07|publisher=Anime News Network}}</ref>

<gallery widths="200px" heights="135px">
File:HK Tramways 27 at Shau Kei Wan (20181003150838).jpg|A [[Hong Kong Tram]] vehicle with the livery of a ''moe'' anthropomorphized character of a local [[soy sauce]] brand
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{Nihongo|''Gijinka-tan Hakusho''|擬人化たん白書||lit. 'Anthropomorphism-''tan'' Files'}}. Tokyo: Aspect, 2006. {{ISBN|4-7572-1262-3}}. (The ''[[-tan]]'' is a [[Hypocorism|hypocoristic]] suffix.)

== External links ==
* {{Commons-inline|Moe anthropomorphism}}

{{Furry fandom|state=uncollapsed}}
{{Fandom}}

[[Category:Moe anthropomorphism| ]]
[[Category:Anime and manga terminology]]
[[Category:Internet memes]]
[[Category:Kemonomimi]]
[[Category:Science fiction themes]]