What Is Neko in "Second Life"?
"Second Life" is an online game in which players live in a virtual world where they shop, buy property and socialize. Each player creates an avatar to interact with other players. This protects personal identity and introduces a role-playing element. A Neko -- pronounced "neck-o" -- is an avatar based on female characters with cat features, and evolved from a combination of American and Japanese comic book characters.
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Inspiration
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American and European Second Lifers were inspired by Catwoman, the alter ego of Selena Kyle in the "Batman" comics. Her villainous character combined a cat-like independence with a costume that appealed to women and attracted men. In Japan, where the cat is revered, the manga, or Japanese comic, story "The Cat Returns," or "Neko no Ongaeshi," is credited with inspiring female readers to dress up as a Neko, or cat, and this real-life activity is one factor in the evolution of cat avatars in "Second Life."
Development
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As more Japanese players joined "Second Life," Western "Catwomen" started to adopt the Japanese Neko style, and many Nekos started appearing in "Second Life." Initially these avatars were referred to as "catgirl." One early Neko set up a Neko store on Mew Island where the Nekos could buy accessories. As of the date of publication, there is a range of stores where Nekos can kit out their avatars. Some Nekos are more human than feline and just wear cat ears and tails, while others are closer to a feline appearance with tiger stripe skin, paws and whiskers.
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Culture
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Anecdotal evidence from Neko blogs suggests that the reasons many women and girls adopt the Neko avatar has something to do with cats' independent character and physical elegance. The role of the cat in world religion and mythology adds an element of supernatural power to the character, thereby adding to the role-playing potential. Aligned with this is the dressing up potential the Neko avatar provides. For many players, it provides an opportunity to be something they can't be in real life, notes the Virtual Neko website.
Dress and Accessories
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One Neko activity is shopping for accessories. Apart from ears, tails, eyes and the essential parts of the Neko costume, many Nekos wear schoolgirl outfits similar to the ones worn by Japanese manga characters. Other Neko dress styles include cyberpunk, geisha and explorer. The options are unlimited, as Second Lifers can design new styles. Accessories include a "yummy sardines" armband, hair pieces and wigs, leg warmers and backpacks. Most of these are aimed at the schoolgirl avatar, but there are accessories available for every Neko style.
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