Neko is a daring SL fashion trend that captures our imagination. Donning Neko can make our SL looks cute and sensitive, and when we work it just right, supernaturally attractive. It's quite simple, really, take a normal human avatar, add cat ears and any kind of tail. Done! In fact, I can share a free kit with cat ears and diverse tails to help anyone get started with this ultra-cute look. Just IM Any1 Gynoid for a free Neko Kit.

Scroll through the SL snapshots above for some examples. You see me in tie dye Neko with butterfly wings (#1), Saloon Girl Neko (#3), Fairy Neko (#4), a great picture (#2) of KARMA AUER, SL music star, in Neko 2.0 (notice the black ears with lots of little pierced earings and her rooster tail!). Like mine, those ears are animated, for an amazingly realistic effect.

Neko doesn't require a cat tail! Can be horse, pony, rooster, or dragon! Pony may be the most popular. The last picture (#5) is a fun party I attended with Justy, who is a Guy Neko. Guy Nekos can be a fashion-savvy look, often paired with grunge SL outfits (see Justy;s pic).  Neko even works with formalwear, like SL supermodel LELAND KUNGFU, who was superlative as a runway model in Guy Neko at our Bridal Fashion Show in SL.

In SL, your online personality, your AVATAR, can be literally anything, from ordinary humanoid to giant dragons, cartoon characters, and space aliens. Animal avis (e.g. dogs, wolves, monkeys, and leopards) are popular with environmental and animal rights orgs in SL. Being an animal-like FURRY is a very popular SL look; furries have animal faces and animal hands/feet but walk upright.

In contrast, Neko looks are decidedly human. Nekos have human shapes, ears, hands, feet, and normal human faces. Nekos enhance human looks by adding 2 cat ears and a tail. Some Nekos go further by wearing leopard textured skins and cat-like eyes. There is middle ground between Neko and Furry, where some avis don furry-like shoes, and possibly paws.

Neko looks orignated in Japanese cartoon books, collectively called "manga". Manga is very popular with all ages in Japan. Neko is the Japanese word for "cat". In manga, Neko attributes are used to show excitability and mischeviousness. Learn more:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catgirl

HERE IS AN EXCERPT FROM MY FREE NEKO KIT IN SL (Pls IM to Any1 Gynoid for a copy)

PREFACE: I teach a free class in SL called Event Participation. Meeting many students, I noticed that most avis are not particularly adventurous with their avatar (avi) looks, given the unlimited possibilities of SL. One way I can offer to help is through the Free Neko Kit. In my class, I also give you free face lights, animation override (AO), avi radar, chimera's... and give you instructions on how to use them... alternate weeks at 6am SL Time Sundays... NCI class name is "Event Participation". SL Location:
  http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Oxbridge%20Village/60/200/27

FROM THE FREE NEKO KIT

Being Neko is a fun way in SL to express yourself. Lots of way cool SL guys and gals are Neko. To get started... just Right-Click and WEAR some cat ears and a tail.

WHAT YOU HAVE - In this folder, "FreeNekoGear - Gift from Any1", you will find a wide variety of Cat Ears and Cat Tails (and other kinds of tails). All these attachments are FULL PERM - meaning you can (somewhat) modify colors, textures, sizes, shapes,  attachment points, etc.

POSING STAND - Use the object "*REZ THIS Posing Stand & Sit - To Adjust Attachments" --- Rez it.... sit on it and turn off your Animation Override. A posing stand is essential for making fine adjustments to re-size and position Neko attachments.

IMPORTANT TIPS
* Add your Neko Ears and Tails to your outfits folders, under Clothing in Inventory. Then when you Wear or Replace an outfit... ur Neko automagically.
* On the Posing Stand, adjust size and position of the ears - very important!!! Make sure they looks good on you! Edit and Experiment! Usually I really shrink the ears to get a good look.
* Often, Neko ears conflict with earings attachments. Most Nekos do not wear earings. Nekos are 4 eared enhanced human avatars. In contrast, furries are 2 eared, and do not necessarily conform to human norms.
* Tail attachments may conflict with your clothing or other attachments. You have an option of not wearing your tail. I seldom wear tail with posh dresses, especially with bustles. Alternative: Attach the tail to a different spot, such as stomach, spine, or Upper Leg (right or left). Get on the posing stand and edit the attachment; moving it to the proper location behind you. Adjust the angles too.
* Adjust your body shape, especially bare skin areas with Neko Skins (see below). For SL gals, try reducing your muscles, especially torso muscles, way way thin for stunning looks. Reducing hip length (in leg adjustments) is another key secret. Experiment!

FOR ADVANCED NEKOS

After some practice being Neko, you might try some of these ideas. It involves substantial expense (up to L$2000), but the cost is usually one time only. Most ppls are fine with basic Neko looks. I was a very happy Neko using the attachments in this kit for several months. Then I was introduced to advanced Neko. (Note: My look is Neko 1.0 as in Pictures 1, 3, 4, and 5... Neko 2.0 is modeled by Karma Auer in Picture 2 - The key difference is the look of the ears, and her numerous small earings).

* In RL, always "dress hot" ... in SL, our standard is way higher... always dress "stunning" muwah! Since we have total control over body shape.... go for it! Be brave, fashion-wise in SL! Whatever looks great! Of course, always respect SL community standards such as dress codes in PG sims.

* You can buy special Neko skins. Mine are in the L$1000 range.  Luckily, some very nice ppls gave me my 1st advanced Neko gear. For Halloween! Hee hee! But I never stopped wearing Neko!  Search for Neko Skin in Classifieds. Here is one place where I buy skins.
  http://slurl.com/secondlife/Temenos/126/83/23 
   
*  Matching Ears and Tails (to your Neko) skin are usually separate purchases. The advanced ears and tails are ANIMATED and very cute, randomly moving in a way that appears to change your mood. These give you incredible Neko looks.
   
* Neko Eyes are very fun; gives you a stunning cat eye look. See Picture 3. Search classifieds, or you can try here:
  http://slurl.com/secondlife/Dare/132/145/24

* Neko whiskers are available and I own them, but I don't recommend them. Facial hair is quite problematic for ladies. lol ... If you are going beyond Neko into Furry... then whiskers might just be your cup of tea.

* Neko looks do not require special clothes. We make every outfit look awesome. If u wear Neko skins... outfits with cutouts and showing alot of skin are very flattering. When wearing these... pls be mindful of PG sim areas. Reserve some outfits, such as CanCan Saloon look for your PG sim experiences (see below). Specialty Neko clothes and accessories are available... with Cat Logos and such. Your call. You will find them in SL classifieds (search button, classifieds tab).

* One important specialty addition to Neko outfit is a collar. With a cat-like Neko look, kind of makes sense to have a collar! When in Saloon dress, i ALWAYS wear a choker! (see next). For other outfits, it was difficult to find a great looking all-purpose collar, even at speciality Neko stores. The one I settled upon is from OMFG which is a product line now owned by StarSailor Luminos (he's got 2 OMFG locations).  This collar is colorable, and can be matched to many of my outfits.

* With bare shoulders and thighs... Lady Nekos make Saloon dresses look awesome.... I have dozens of them. Saloon dresses (in particular: CanCan) are completely versatile... fitting into diverse SL situations... parties... music clubs...  ballroom dances... teaching... and business meetings... Saloon dresses and many wonderful outfits can be purchased at these stores.
  http://slurl.com/secondlife/Reasonable%20Desires/108/229/28 
  http://slurl.com/secondlife/Vosk%20Woods/130/215/256 
Hint: Wear a choker! Really finishes your saloon looks.  IM me for a free Neko Kit, which contains ears, tails, and a choker.

* Wings... can add an interesting dimension to your outfits...(i.e. Picture 1). You can get a lot of free wings at SL freebie stores... If you can afford it, they sell some color changeable animated wings here:
  http://slurl.com/secondlife/Lunalis/241/207/43

Cheers! Enjoy Your Second Life!
Pls IM me for a free Neko starter kit! Lots of Ears and Tails! Thx!
Any1 Gynoid