History Main / PlayfulCatSmile

!This trope is [[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=17043604520.34487200 under discussion]] in the Administrivia/TropeRepairShop.

The playful counterpart to the CheshireCatGrin, often used by TheDitz, the cute {{Kawaiiko}} or a more normal character being playful or mischievous rather than manipulative or creepy. This expression is often seen on TheGadfly, and is often a warning that they're about to pull their antics on someone. The Manga style is just more often played as cute or as crackful. They're different in that the Cat Smile rarely shows teeth (except CuteLittleFangs, if the character has them), while the CheshireCatGrin shows ''[[MoreTeethThanTheOsmondFamily too many]].'' Also known as "Colon Three Smile". That is, '''[[{{Emoticon}} :3]]'''. There is also the "Lion Smile", also known as '''>:3'''. Starting from TheNewTens, '''[=UwU=]'''[[note]]for satisfaction[[/note]] and '''[=OwO=]'''[[note]]for surprise[[/note]] became the prominent ways of expressing the Cat Smile.

The Cat Smile often overlaps with other JapaneseMediaTropes and facial expressions, like PuppyDogEyes for pleading. Oddly, this is not usually the default expression for {{Cat Girl}}s. It's fairly common to see EyesAlwaysShut with a Cat Smile for characters who are more "passively" happy or a tad ditzy/confident in their shenanigans. Half lidded eyes bring the Cat Smile its closest to the Cheshire Cat Grin.

* ''Manga/AiYoriAoshi'': Tina Foster (pictured above) does this from time to time whenever she's feeling a little...''frisky'' around Kaoru.

* [[DreamWeaver Doremy Sweet]] gets one of these as her [[https://en.touhouwiki.net/images/8/84/Th155Doremy.png default expression]] in [[VideoGame/TouhouHyouibanaAntinomyOfCommonFlowers 15.5]]. Is meant more as a smug expression than a cute one, as that game reveals that she is not just a random denizen of the DreamLand, but its ruler.

* ''WebComic/{{Precocious}}'': On occasion the feline kids will do a rather menacing [[http://www.precociouscomic.com/archive/comic/2010/09/29 one]].

* In ''WebComic/YokokasQuest'', many characters feature a permanent or occasional cat smile (including the cats, unsurprisingly). Often leads to showing off their CuteLittleFangs.

* Otto the {{Mr Fixit}} and {{Genius Ditz}} {{Cloud Cuckoo Lander}} green robot monkey from ''WesternAnimation/SuperRobotMonkeyTeamHyperforceGo'' does this several times.
* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Thundercats 2011}}'', Wily Kit and Wily Kat use this while trying to convince Lion-O to let them join him on his journey, [[http://www.facebook.com/video/?id=84917688371#!/video/video.php?v=792160167537 as seen in this trailer]], while Snarf does it while looking at a reflective geode.

* In ''Animation/NanaMoon'', the characters' mouths often turn into this shape. In Keke's case, it might be to go with her cat cap.
* ''Animation/PleasantGoatAndBigBigWolf'': Sixie from episode 32 of ''Flying Island: The Sky Adventure'' is often shown with this kind of smile.

* ''ComicBook/{{Empowered}}'': In issue #4, page #155, Ocelotina.

* In ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirls'' Pinkie makes this face briefly during her solo in the song "Equestria Girls".
* It may not be too visible, but Maruti from ''Animation/TheReturnOfHanuman'' sports this smile briefly during his first meeting with Minku at a classroom.

* Opal Koboi from ''Literature/ArtemisFowl'' is often described as grinning like a cat.

* Duke Crabtree from ''Creator/ZapDramatic'''s ''Ambition'' has this expression.
* This is one of the mouth shapes you can choose for your character in ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossing New Horizons''.
* Karen from ''VideoGame/ArcStyleBaseball3D'' has it, but she's not the only one. You can make your custom characters sport this smile too. There's even a variation where the smile is much wider.
* Nev:3, the resident CatGirl of ''VideoGame/AtlasReactor''. The :3 stands for both her test number and this trope.
* MadScientist CatGirl Kokonoe from ''VideoGame/BlazBlue'', for obvious reasons.

* The Civilian's character portrait in ''VideoGame/CastleCrashers''.
* Etna from ''VideoGame/DisgaeaHourOfDarkness'' is shown to have this face ''very'' often. It could also be said to be her default face.

* ''VideoGame/HalfLife'': There is a stuffed headcrab toy that has this expression. Headcrabs don't even have ''faces''!

* The [[RidiculouslyCuteCritter Starcatchers]] sport one in ''VideoGame/{{Insaniquarium}}''.
* NOVA, the comet from ''VideoGame/KirbySuperStar'' that grants wishes, has its mouth shaped like this.
** This is also Chef Kawasaki's default expression. In ''Super Star Ultra'' (but not plain old ''Super Star''), he has this smile in each one of his animations, even after you beat the mustard out of him.
* Data from ''VideoGame/MegaManLegends'' has a constant one.
* Particularly happy Miis will sport such smile in ''VideoGame/{{Miitopia}}''.

* Acerola, the Ghost Trial Captain [[spoiler: and eventual Elite Four]] from ''VideoGame/PokemonSunAndMoon'' is often seen sporting one.
* Porings and their kin from ''VideoGame/RagnarokOnline''.
* Recette from ''VideoGame/RecettearAnItemShopsTale'' displays a subtle one in the pause menu.
* [[spoiler: Demonoid!]]Akira from ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIV'' also has this as his default expression.

* Almost all your squids in ''VideoGame/SquidInk'' sport one such smile, not just Catamari (who's a MixAndMatchCritter between a cat and a squid). The only squid who appears to lack one is [[{{Invisibility}} Griffin]] [[spoiler:until he gets the ability to temporarily turn visible]].
* ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsCompact2'': Excellen Browning. Especially in the Inspectors.
* ''VideoGame/TalesSeries'':
** Pascal from ''VideoGame/TalesOfGraces'' does this from time to time, mostly when she's trying to "touch" Sophie or playing matchmaker between any of the party members.
** While her Fujishima artwork and ingame model don't display one, most of [[VideoGame/TalesOfZestiria Rose]]'s in-game artwork (from both Zestiria and ''VideoGame/TalesOfLink'' among others) shows her with a cat smile by default.
* In ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'', the world inside the Pyro's eyes contains a cat, a dog and a hamster with these.

* One of Satori's expressions, from ''Franchise/TouhouProject''
** [[DreamWeaver Doremy Sweet]] gets one of these as her [[https://en.touhouwiki.net/images/8/84/Th155Doremy.png default expression]] in [[VideoGame/TouhouHyouibanaAntinomyOfCommonFlowers 15.5]]. Is meant more as a smug expression than a cute one, as that game reveals that she is not just a random denizen of the DreamLand, but its ruler.

* In ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'':
** Muffet has this as her default expression.
** Toriel, Asgore, [[spoiler:and Asriel]] have one occasionally, likely as a consequence of their facial structure.
** Undyne, [[HotBlooded of all characters]], makes one a few times.
* 9-Volt from ''VideoGame/WarioWare''. Also his mother 5-Volt in ''VideoGame/GameAndWario''.
* Some of the Podoboos in ''VideoGame/YoshisIsland''. LetsPlay/{{Raocow}} has taken to calling the latter "Catoboos" as a result.

* In ''VisualNovel/KatawaShoujo'', Shizune is seen using this expression several times.
* In ''VisualNovel/MiceTea'', Felicia gains a subtle one as her default expression in her human form following her GenderBender. Fitting, considering her animal form is actually a cat.

* ''WebAnimation/BowsersKoopalings'': Larry, Roy, and Ludwig all have catlike smiles, while the rest of their adopted siblings do not.
* ''WebAnimation/BravestWarriors'': Catbug's default facial expression.

* An original from Happy Harry Toons from Newgrounds called [[http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/524391 "Hot Na'vi Sex"]] features Neytiri sporting an excellent one of these towards the middle of the animation.
* WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}: Neon Katt. She's basically Nyan Cat without the ears and the Pop-Tart. Blake herself even [[https://i.imgur.com/fCMMl4i.jpg does one]] in Volume 4, [[WhenSheSmiles and it's wonderful]].
* WebAnimation/{{Alphabet}}: A does this while admiring the LMNOP team.
* ''WebAnimation/{{Shishihara}}'': Sota sports a cat-like smile as part of his default look.

* Most characters in ''Webcomic/BeyondTheEnd'' have sported these at some point, as they're a staple of [=DuskDragonXIII=]'s art.
* Both Racer and Mach from ''Webcomic/BombermanLandParody''. Keep in mind that they are both biological brothers in that comic.
* Despite ''being'' a cat, CK from ''WebComic/CommanderKitty'' never really sports one...until [[http://www.commanderkitty.com/2012/12/27/wake-up-call/ this piece of filler art]].
* Tiger from ''Webcomic/{{Consolers}}'' has a mouth in this shape, appropriate for his [[AnimalMotifs tiger-based design]].
* ''Webcomic/TheCyantianChronicles'': Tira uses this during Akaelae [[http://cyantian.net/akaelae/2008/11/12/11122008/ here, in the last panel.]] Which is odd, because she's a fox, not a cat!
* On page 24 of ''Webcomic/DoubleK'', Simon briefly sports a cat smile after being rescued by Kamina.

* ''Webcomic/GourmetHound'': Yuzuru and Sherry both have an expression similar to a permanent cat-smile on their faces. [[spoiler: Yuzuru reveals in Episode 67 that they're cousins, and their moms (who are sisters) have the same cat smiles]].
* ''Webcomic/{{Homestuck}}'':
** "Vodka Mutini", a mutant kittie, has this face on at all times.
** [[spoiler:Jaspersprite]] frequently uses the emoticon in conversation.
** [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/nyaaa_6839.PNG Nepeta]], fitting her [[AnimalMotifs cat theme]], has one of these, as does her ancestor. She also types with these, but as :33, as Alternian cats (Or at least her [[RaisedByWolves guardian]]) have two mouths. (And 33 is the [[GeniusBonus elemental number for arsenic]] -- her IM handle is 'arsenicCatnip'.)

* Emily in [[http://www.misfile.com/index.php?page=1225 this]] ''Webcomic/{{Misfile}}'' page. Complete with cat background.

* Aggie in [[http://www.pennyandaggie.com/index.php?p=694 this strip]] of ''Webcomic/PennyAndAggie''
* ''WebComic/{{Precocious}}'':
** On occasion the feline kids will do a rather menacing [[http://www.precociouscomic.com/archive/comic/2010/09/29 one]].
** Tiff, Bud, and Autumn (despite being a fox) [[http://www.precociouscomic.com/archive/comic/2010/11/18 here]].

** Marigold is again seen with one of these while [[http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1738 dancing with Angus]].

** Even [[http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2016 Faye]] gets to do one.
* ''WebComic/SequentialArt'' often has Kat Vance doing some form of this.
* ''WebComic/ShenComix'': Shen's mouth seems to have become a cat mouth at some point, so :3 is his default expression. Given how many of his comics have also started incorporating horror elements, and/or having him implied to be secretly evil, the cuteness of this is debateable.
* Jakkai in ''Webcomic/SlightlyDamned'' do this, as well as Kieri in bunny form. {{Justified|Trope}} due to Nonhuman anatomy.

* ''[[http://threepanelsoul.com/2007/03/19/on-girlfriends/ Three Panel Soul]]'' does this one in relation to [[VideoGame/HalfLife headcrabs]].
* Aeris from ''Webcomic/VGCats'' [[http://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=290 here]]. Of course, she's an actual cat.

* Günter from ''Webcomic/{{Zoophobia}}'' is an interesting example, as it's simply his default mouth shape and not a blatant accent added to exaggerate his expressions.

* WebVideo/EqualsThree has literally this expression as its title.

* WebVideo/YuGiOhTheAbridgedSeries did it in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPJgqd1B_ns "Seto Kaiba vs. The World"]]

* Pay close attention to ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'''s Finn the Human and you'll see him make this face. Along with a plethora of other humanly impossible expressions.
* This is Teri's default face in ''WesternAnimation/TheAmazingWorldOfGumball'', although she can erase it and replace it with any of her choosing.
* ''Franchise/AvatarTheLastAirbender'':
** ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'':
*** Aang and Sokka make this face too at times.
*** And so does Toph, especially in "The Runaway" episode.
** In ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'', Bolin seems to have trained in this art.
* [[RidiculouslyCuteCritter Catbug]] in ''WebAnimation/BravestWarriors'' has this face perpetually, even when [[http://static2.fjcdn.com/comments/At+first+I+was+Catbug+_396e7c96d891ac78e064106bf8f4dd92.png screaming]].

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Recess}}'':
** T.J. made one in the episode "Bad Hair Day".
** This is Gus's default smile.
* ''Franchise/ScoobyDoo'': Velma Dinkley.
* Same goes to Elsa Frankenteen and Phantasma from ''WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooAndTheGhoulSchool''.
* ''WesternAnimation/StarTrekTheAnimatedSeries''. Not surprisingly, the CatFolk Caitian Lieutenant M'Ress has one of these constantly.
* ''WesternAnimation/StarVsTheForcesOfEvil'': Star does this in one episode, "Cheer Up, Star".
* Amethyst from ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'' has a mouth shaped in such a way to look like this.
** Once she actually starts showing [[WhenSheSmiles genuine smiles]] a lot of [[spoiler: Peridot's]] smiles tend to resemble this.
*** Or like >:3 this.
** Yellow Pearl too.

* ''WesternAnimation/TaleSpin'': Rebecca Cunningham's default smile.
* Kitten from ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'' makes this face at one point.
* [[SmugSnake James]] from ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends'' had one back when the show used sculpted faces.

* [[ExaggeratedTrope Exaggerated]] in ''WesternAnimation/ThundercatsRoar'', as almost EVERY character does it.

* ''Manga/AhMyGoddess'': Keiichi's sister Megumi maintains this as a default expression, though it's a subtle curve rather than a complete alteration of human anatomy.

* ''VisualNovel/AokanaFourRhythmAcrossTheBlue'': Tobisawa not only does the cat smile but has a tendency toward [[NotAMorningPerson cat naps]] and [[VerbalTic meow puns.]]

* ''Anime/BangDream!'': This is Lisa Imai's default expression, thanks to the way her lips are designed.
** Even better, [[Creator/YukiNakashima her second seiyuu]] also has a very catlike grin.

* Of ''Manga/BlendS'', one of the favorite expressions of [[WholesomeCrossdresser Hideri]].
* ''Manga/CardCaptorSakura'': Kero's default expression. Unless he's mad.
* ''Literature/ACertainMagicalIndex'': It's practically the default smile for titular heroine, Index. And she smiles a lot.
** Likewise for [[CheerfulChild Last Order]].

* ''Manga/ChronoCrusade'': Rosette makes this expression occasionally.
** And Shader, the CatGirl [[OurDemonsAreDifferent Demon]] has this expression almost constantly.

* ''Manga/ADevilAndHerLoveSong'': Kanda Yuusuke.

* ''Anime/DogDays'': Nanami does this on occasion, quite appropriate since she's the chosen hero for a kingdom of [[CatGirl cat people]].

** {{Otaku}} Erika Karisawa often sports one of these.

* In the horror manga ''Manga/{{Emerging}}'', Mori surprises Onotera with one of these while he's raging about Japan's lack of preparedness for a major disease outbreak... he's even further surprised when she starts gushing over the possibility that she could get a chance to study a disease as rare and deadly as Ebola.
* ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'': Fujimura Taiga (Tiger) does this a lot.
* ''Anime/{{FLCL}}'': One of Haruko's expressions.
* ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'': When the animation is SuperDeformed, Alphonse's helmet can appear to have one of these.
* Togusa from ''Manga/GhostInTheShell 1.5: Human Error Processor''. He expresses this to gloat his seniority and experience over his newbie partner Azuma, whose overconfidence ended up angering a woman they were transporting home.

** Hayate also gets one in episode 39.
* ''Manga/{{Hellsing}}'': Schrodinger would do several of these, given that he's a [[CatGirl Cat]] [[DistaffCounterpart Boy]]
** [[http://www.whiners.pro/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Whine-Subs_Hellsing_Ultimate_OVA_08_BD720p-AACB3A0EE51.mkv_snapshot_28.14_2011.08.14_13.22.03.jpg Seras does this too in OVA 8]].

** This also seems to be [[http://community.livejournal.com/hetalia/7404073.html Belgium's default expression.]] New Zealand wears one in most of his (admittedly few) appearances as well.

* ''Manga/HimoutoUmaruChan'': Sylphynford Tachibana has one of these as her default smile.

* ''Anime/HunterXHunter'': Killua does this frequently. Sometimes, he even gains SproutingEars and a cat tail.
* ''Manga/{{Hyakko}}'' has newspaper photographer, Koma.

* ''Manga/{{Jormungand}}'': Koko has this as a frequent expression.
* ''Anime/{{K}}'': Neko has this as her default facial expression, given that she's a cat or can at least morph into one, it's appropriate.

* Yui Hirasawa in the ''Manga/KOn'' {{Omake}}.
* ''Manga/KurokosBasketball'': Shinji Koganei sports the Cat Smile constantly in a rarer male example.

* ''Anime/LucyMayOfTheSouthernRainbow'': Kate's default smile is one (:}). [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/katepopple.png See here]].

* Lotte from ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanoha'', typical for a [[GenkiGirl genki]] catgirl. [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/screencap.jpg Image]]
* ''Manga/ManabiStraight'': Mika Inamori has this as her only expression. Along with the way her ever-present ribbon looks, it may point to [[CatGirl a certain design motif]].
* GenkiGirl Kana in ''Manga/MinamiKe'' almost always has one of these.
* ''Anime/MonColleKnights'': Rokuna.

* ''Anime/MyOtome'': Used almost constantly by Mahya Blythe. Strangely, it's [[spoiler:''Akane'']] who winds up in a CatGirl costume, and she never does this trope.
* In ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'', Deidara has one at one point.
** Surprisingly, Hanabi Hyuga sports one in ''Anime/TheLastNarutoTheMovie'', as [[ShipperOnDeck she teases her older sister Hinata]] about giving [[RedStringOfFate her red scarf]] to [[TheHero Naruto]].
* ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'': This is how Creator/KenAkamatsu draws Kuu Fei.
** In her case, it's more signifying her naivete or complete lack of understanding.
** Nagase Kaede as well, who also sports EyesAlwaysShut.

** In ''Anime/RebuildOfEvangelion'', newcomer [[http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20121102011953/evangelion/images/a/aa/Mari_Kitty_Smile_(Rebuild_3.0).png Mari]] is prone to this as well. When she's not fighting, at least. When she is, she sports a [[SlasherSmile different kind of smile]]...
* ''Manga/NinjaNonsense'': Shinobu spends about half an episode perpetually doing this while dressed as a CatGirl.
* ''Manga/NyoronChuruyaSan'': Churuya, the SuperDeformed [[MemeticMutation fan-character version]] of Tsuruya from ''Literature/HaruhiSuzumiya'', has this as her ''only'' facial expression, [[VerbalTic nyoro~n]].

* ''Anime/PokemonTheSeries'':
** In the episode "Ditto's Mysterious Mansion", Misty does this briefly while making a snarky comment.
** Pikachu has this as his default expression.
** Cilan, but only in ''Manga/PokemonAdventures''. Sun in the SM arc sports this too.
* This is practically a trademark for Bkub Okawa, as illustrated in ''Manga/PopTeamEpic''.

** This is a common staple for mascot characters, including but not limited to: [[Anime/FutariWaPrettyCure Mepple and Mipple]], [[Anime/FutariWaPrettyCureSplashStar Flappy]], [[Anime/YesPrettyCure5 Milk]], [[Anime/FreshPrettyCure Azukina]], [[Anime/HeartcatchPrettyCure Potpourri]], [[Anime/SuitePrettyCure Hummy]], [[Anime/SmilePrecure Candy]], [[Anime/DokiDokiPrecure Sharuru]], [[Anime/HappinessChargePrettyCure Ribbon]], [[Anime/GoPrincessPrettyCure Pafu]], [[Anime/MahoGirlsPrecure Ha-chan]], [[Anime/KiraKiraPrecureALaMode Pekorin]], [[Anime/StarTwinklePrettyCure Fuwa]], [[Anime/HealinGoodPrettyCure Rabirin]], [[Anime/TropicalRougePrettyCure Kururun]], and [[Anime/DeliciousPartyPrettyCure Pam-Pam]].

* ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'': Kyubey wears this expression [[FrozenFace at all times]], [[DissonantSerenity even when something unspeakably horrible is going on.]]
* ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf'': Ryoga does this a couple of times in the episode where he's possessed by Maomolin the ghost cat.

* ''Manga/{{Saki}}'': Strengthening her CatGirl image, Kana has a cat smile that rarely goes away.
* ''Manga/{{Sankarea}}'': This seems to be Furuya's default expression.
* ''Manga/SgtFrog'': Koyuki wears this smile nearly as often as [[Manga/LuckyStar Konata]] does.
** Tamama also does this too...that is, until something ticks him off.
* ''Manga/SketDance'': Sasuke Tsubaki in his cat costume has it as a fixed expression.

* ''Anime/TenchiMuyo'': Ryoko does this several times in the [[OriginalVideoAnimation OVAs]], most notably during the "crash landing" sequence at the beginning of the series.
* ''Manga/{{Trigun}}'': In the anime, Vash does this when the fights are being played for laughs (reads, just the first few episodes).

* ''VisualNovel/{{Tsukihime}}'': Default facial expression of Neco-Arc. Arcueid pulls this off herself on occasion. Surprisingly, Shiki manages this as well in the manga. Although it's very subtle, to his credit.

* ''Manga/YuYuHakusho'': Botan would often make this face... in pretty much every occasion too.

* [[CatGirl Ocelotina]] in #4 of ''ComicBook/{{Empowered}}'' (see p155, you may miss it)
* In ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'' #338, ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} does the cat smile when Comicbook/{{Brainiac}} hits himself with his shrinking ray and disappears.
* In ''ComicBook/WhoIsSuperwoman'', Alura In-Ze's chief of security and secretary -Thara Ak-Var and Lyra Kam-Par, respectively- are having an argument which lasts until Alura tells Thara off. Lyra leaves the room, but not without first turning around and giving Thara a cat-like "You're in hot water now" smirk.

A subtrope of MangaEffects.

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
* ''Manga/AcchiKocchi'': Mayoi Hakase is always seen with this.

* In ''VisualNovel/SlayThePrincess'', the Witch is a version of the Princess that features strong feline motifs and frequently has the catlike smile on her face to go with her mischievous, sarcastic and sassy nature. She loses it if she becomes the Thorn, [[spoiler:but will regain it if you betray her trust again, symbolizing that she's given up hope of things improving between her and the Player, [[ThenLetMeBeEvil and decided to fully embrace the Witch's spiteful nature]].]]

* In ''VisualNovel/SlayThePrincess'', the Witch is a version of the Princess that features strong feline motifs and frequently has the catlike smile on her face to go with her mischievous, sarcastic and sassy nature.