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Cats Are Snarkers

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Calvin: From now on, the world's going to know exactly what I think of it!
Hobbes: Yes, you've certainly been the model of self-restraint and understatement up until now.
Calvin: Well, no more. [Beat, as he turns to glare at Hobbes] And I've also resolved not to put up with sarcastic tigers.
Hobbes: If I see any, I'll tell them.

Many traits associated with cats, including cleverness and contemptuousness (among others), tend also to be associated with Deadpan Snarkers — coming mainly from the association with cats as being aloof, unaffected, coming off as superior, and being associated with sense and grace. As such, it only makes sense that some works would have some cats be among their most sarcastic characters, whether as verbally-sarcastic talking cats or as Silent Snarkers. This could sometimes involve a cat as a Snarky Non-Human Sidekick.

Note that this trope isn't JUST about domestic cats, or even about cats that look like domestic cats either. It could apply to bigger cats and mongooses as well.


Examples:

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    Anime & Manga 
  • Yoruichi from Bleach is quite sarcastic in her cat form... and her human form. Let's just call her a Deadpan Snarker in general.
  • Doraemon has it's titular robot cat, who can be quite the snarker - and brutally honest - towards his supposed bestie, Nobita, at times. Most of the manga and anime episodes concludes with Doraemon delivering a snarky line (sometimes combined with Fade to Black).
  • Gatomon from Digimon Adventure is rather acerbic when she's first introduced as a henchman to the Arc Villain. Even after making a Heel–Face Turn, she still has her sharp tongued moments, partially due to being a higher level than the other partner Digimon and more annoyed at their immaturity.
  • Carla from Fairy Tail. Happy can also be a smartass, usually toward Lucy, but it's usually not as much snark as giggling mockery.
  • Amanojaku from Ghost Stories is the snarkiest character on the show.
  • Koneko Toujou from High School D×D. She is a Cat Girl, and most of her sarcastic remarks tend to go towards Issei Hyodo, whom she at first disliked, but later warmed up to and ultimately fell in love with.
  • Luca from IGPX: Immortal Grand Prix, the Team Pet for Team Satomi snarks when he has his cybernetic implants on. His moments are often complaints about the idiocy and confrontations between his owner’s teammates.
  • While the title character from Kimba the White Lion is an Ideal Hero, he occasionally says a snarky line when he's talking with his enemies.
    Bella Dona: Now tell me, Kimba: What happened to that turtle?! If you don't tell me where that turtle is, I'm going to... I'm going to...
    Kimba: You're going to be punished by Tonga for letting him escape? (smiles)
  • Pokémon: The Series: Meowth from Team Rocket is a talking cat-like Pokemon who often makes sarcastic remarks, many of which are directed at Jessie and James.
  • Both Luna and Artemis from Sailor Moon are masters of snark, especially when dealing with their respective less-than-devoted protégés Usagi and Minako.
  • In the second Sally the Witch series, Sally has a talking cat named Dabdab and he's pretty snarky.

    Comic Books 
  • Salem from Sabrina the Teenage Witch is the snarkiest character in the cast in several adaptations. It should be noted that in those adaptions, Salem was originally a warlock who tried to take over the world and was turned into a cat as punishment. In the original comic, he was just Sabrina's pet cat who occasionally had magical powers.
  • Katten Jansson ("Katten" means "The Cat") from the Swedish comic Bamse is a small black-and-white cat (and one of few non-anthro animals in the series) whose best friend is an equally-snarky mouse. They switch between snarking at each other and teaming up to snark at the world in general.
  • Rusty Duncan from Sunnyville Stories is always ready to make jokes and witty replies.
  • The cat from The Rabbi's Cat is an atheist and mocks the Rabbi for believing in anachronistic unscientific and allegorical stories as literal truth and yet wants to convert to Judaism and have a Bar Mitzvah in order to be able to associate with the rabbi's daughter. He also convinces the Rabbi's master who takes the religion more seriously still that he is god, and has come as a test, that obviously he isn't a cat because cats can't talk. Then when the man is kneeling and weeping, he says "no, I was just messing with you, I'm just a talking cat."
  • Susan Peardew from Wild's End gets the best snark and the best facial expressions.
  • Raoul from Léonard le Génie frequently makes puns and sarcastic remarks at the main characters' shenanigans.

    Comic Strips 
  • The titular character of Garfield regularly snarks about everything surrounding him.
    Jon: You know Garfield, I get the feeling you're a cat with a little cynic in you.
    Garfield: That's not true! I'm a cynic with a little cat around me.
    • What's funny is that "cynic" means dog in ancient Greek and, and he's a cat.
  • Hobbes the imaginary and/or covertly-real (depending on how you interpret him) tiger from Calvin and Hobbes is arguably the most frequent Deadpan Snarker in the series. (Interestingly enough, author Bill Watterson claimed his pet cat partly inspired the portrayal of Hobbes, but he didn't specify whether or not this included the snarky personality.)
    Calvin: "Live for the moment" is my motto. You never know how long you've got! You could step into the road tomorrow, and wham, you get hit by a cement truck! Then you'd be sorry you put off your pleasures! That's why I say "live for the moment." What's your motto?
    Hobbes: "Look down the road."
  • Bucky from Get Fuzzy who, like Garfield, has a sidekick who exemplifies Dogs Are Dumb.
  • Palmtop in Safe Havens has more or less settled into this role.

    Fan Works 
  • Light's Familiar Cleo from NoHoper:
    Light: You know what? I'm going to name you.
    Cleo: "Name me"? What do I need a name for? I am the best, how can anyone not know who I am? And you, what do you need a name for? You are so recognisable, you are unforgettable!
    Light: And what's that supposed to mean?
    Cleo: Nothing. I just think names are stupid. All you need to know is that you are a can-opener, and I am the Great-I-Am!
    Light: Well, you deserve a name, you know, one that doesn't invoke cries of "blasphemy".
  • The moment the bobcat outlaw Delilah Rangler first appears in Old West, she shows herself to be habitually sarcastic.
    Delilah: Surprised you don't know me, honey... and here I thought I was quite infamous. Well, I was until this new Sheriff stole my thunder.
    Beans: Stole your—?
    Delilah: Don't worry, sweet-eyes, it went over your head.
  • A Different Lesson: Once the animosity between them (particularly on her side) settles down, this pretty much describes a great deal of the interactions between Tai Lung and Tigress but it's the snow leopard more than any other character who is the most sarcastic in the story—toward almost everyone, in fact.
    • One of the first things he says to Shifu, after the red panda visits him in his cell following the Final Battle from the first movie and claims he wants to help:
    Tai Lung: Oh, really? Is that why you're here? To come and kiss my wounds and make them all better?
    • And during his morning trip to the village with Tigress to pick up supplies (during which he has to carry all the baskets), the villagers all panic, scream, and run when they see him, leading to this response from her, followed by a thought from him he was very wise to keep to himself:
    Tigress: I can't believe you...what did you think was going to happen?
    It was on the tip of his tongue to blurt out one of his typical sarcastic comments—in this case, that he'd had no idea the villagers had never laid eyes on her this early in the morning, though she was indeed a terrifying sight so soon after rising.
  • In the second Weasley Girl novel, Crookshanks is Suddenly Speaking when Ronnie learns the Animal Talk Charm. Turns out that not only does he talk like the Artful Dodger, but he's about as cheeky and sarcastic as him too.

    Films — Animation 
  • Aladdin: Rajah, Princess Jasmine's pet tiger, is a Silent Snarker. He's especially snarky to any suitors of Jasmine (Aladdin in particular, since he's the only one that she liked back), probably out of jealousy.
  • An American Tail: Fievel Goes West: Cat R. Waul and Miss Kitty are both snarky cats.
  • Bolt: Mittens is known for being particularly snarky and sarcastic. She often quips at Bolt to bring him down a notch.
    Bolt: I will Super-Bark you out of that tree!
    Mittens: Go nuts. Let's see how that works out for ya.
    [Bolt normal-barks]
    Mittens: Oh, the super-bark. Scary, scary.
  • Catwoman: Hunted: Catwoman is a quip machine the entire movie, and Cheshire and Cheetah also have their moments of snark.
  • Coraline: Has a cat that fits this trope in both the film and the book.
    Coraline Jones: [on the "Other" Mother] Why does she want me?
    Cat: She wants something to love, I think. Something that isn't her. Or, maybe she'd just love something to eat.
    Coraline Jones: Eat? That's ridiculous, mothers don't eat... daughters.
    Cat: I don't know. How do you taste?
  • Ice Age: Diego the Smilodon is easily the most sardonic of the gang. He is voiced by Denis Leary, though, so it's not that surprising.
  • The Jungle Book (1967): Bagheera the panther is a big-time snarker.
    Baloo: Oh, stop worrying, Baggy, stop worrying, I'll take care of him!
    Bagheera: Yes, like you did when the monkeys kidnapped him, did you?
  • Kiki's Delivery Service: In the English dub by Disney, Jiji is prone to cracking smart remarks towards Kiki (who sometimes responds in kind). It doesn't help that he's voiced by Phil Hartman. This would be downplayed when Disney re-edited the film in 2010 to be closer to the original Japanese version (which averts this), as much of Hartman's snark-filled improv was cut.
  • Tai Lung, a snow leopard from Kung Fu Panda, shows definite shades of this, particularly when meeting Po for the first time.
    Tai Lung: What are you going to do, big guy? Sit on me?
  • The Lion King (1994): Scar, though downplayed since he is far from the only "cat" in the film.
    Simba: I'm gonna be king of Pride Rock!
    Scar: Oh goody.
    Simba: My dad just showed me the whole kingdom! And I'm gonna rule it all!
    Scar: Yes. Well, forgive me for not leaping for joy, bad back you know.
    Simba: Hey uncle Scar! When I'm king, what'll that make you?
    Scar: A monkey's uncle.
  • The Secret of Kells: Pangur Ban is more of a Silent Snarker; she can't speak, but her confused or exasperated expressions speak volumes.
  • Chloe from The Secret Life of Pets.
    Chloe: Max, c'mon, I'm your friend, ok? And as your friend, I gotta be honest with you: I don't care about you or your problems.
  • The cat in The Last Unicorn is very snarky, although he's also very poetic, so it's ok.

    Films — Live-Action 

    Literature 

    Live-Action TV 
  • Salem, from Sabrina the Teenage Witch, is the snarkiest character in the show, though it's unknown how much of that is from his time as a human.

    Music 
  • The Joe Iconis song "Party Hat" is about an Introverted Cat Person who plans to dress up her cat and dances with him to cope with her loneliness. Halfway through the song, the cat himself catches onto her plan, and while he complies to make her happy, he keeps complaining about her in a deadpan tone while she's in full Stepford Smiler mode.

    Radio 
  • Humphrey the Downing Street Cat, as portrayed in the BBC Radio 4 series Political Animals, elaborately takes the piss out of his famous human owners.
  • The title character of 1996 science fiction comedy series Seymour the Fractal Cat is pretty snarky, though he could have picked it up from any of the show's other major snarkers: his two previous owners and the computer that granted him sentience.

    Video Games 
  • The Cheshire Cat from American McGee's Alice personifies the snarkishness, although "Snark" in that game has a quite different meaning.
    The Cheshire Cat: Here's a riddle. When is a croquet mallet like a billy club? I'll tell you: whenever you want it to be.
  • Felicity from B.ARK is as snarky as other felines come and go (which is really saying something).
  • Carol from Freedom Planet is pretty snarky.
    Carol: Well this stinks, how are we going to get more money?
    Lilac: We'll think of something. What I want to know is why Spade's working for Mayor Zao.
    Carol: Mm, buttloads of cash.
  • Sissel from Ghost Trick is is a very cool-headed, somewhat phlegmatic person who is also witty and does not hesitate to drop a sardonic comment now and then, though even he doesn't find out he's a cat until the very end of the game.
  • Gibbous - A Cthulhu Adventure: Kitteh by light years, especially once the Necronomicon gives her speech.
  • The Jackbox Party Pack: Mayonnaise, the feline host of "Split the Room" in Party Pack 5, occasionally makes snarky asides when describing the set-up for a scenario.
  • Kyle Kitcat, from Kyle & Lucy: Wonderworld, is described as a snarker in his official character art.
  • Sulpher, from Mana Khemia: Alchemists of Al-Revis, isn't the Mana of Snark, but only because he's actually an ordinary house cat.
  • Nexomon Extinction: Coco crosses this trope with Snarky Nonhuman Sidekick. He's always ready to make remarks about various RPG cliches and the actions of those around him.

    Web Animation 
  • In RWBY, Blake is a cat-type faunus, and fittingly she's the team-member who's most often letting loose with a snarky remark (usually at Weiss).

    Web Comics 
  • Lola and Mr. Wrinkles: Mr. Wrinkles has no problem with being sarcastic around Lola, such as calling her "Sherlock" after she doesn't immediately understand why (being a Sphynx cat) he's not happy about the snow.
  • Parisa: Loreli is a cat-like Parisi, complete with cat ears poking out through her hood.. She is rather sarcastic, to the point of cutting off lengthy explanations by spouting laconics just before chapter 4.
  • Percy the cat from Sinfest is quite snarky too. Naturally, she's paired with an idiotic dog.
  • Forestdale has Izabell Carroll, a ten year old tabby cat with plenty of sarcastic tendencies.

    Web Original 

    Web Videos 
  • Sad Cat Diary has cats writing entries into their diaries of things they consider tragic, with such entries stating how their food is a little less full, how the authorities wouldn't open the door to the garden, or how the authorities had removed the black pants. Contrasted with Sad Dog Diary, which has entries that call the dogs' owners "Dearest Human" and lament that they don't know if "Dearest Human" cleans their genitals or knows how to poop. Also, while they trust their cat friends, the cats are assholes to the dogs.

    Western Animation 
  • Socrates from Adventures from the Book of Virtues is a snarky bobcat.
  • Gumball Watterson from The Amazing World of Gumball acts as the show's number one Deadpan Snarker most of the time. His mom can sometimes get in on the act, too.
  • Rita of Animaniacs is a snarky, Sugar-and-Ice Personality, Jerk with a Heart of Gold alley cat, "perfectly mismatched" with her Big Friendly Dog best friend Runt.
  • The cat half of CatDog is as acerbic as the dog half is innocent and dimwitted.
  • Garfield (again!), in Garfield and Friends — Lorenzo Music's deadpan delivery is what sells it.
  • Sebastian from Josie and the Pussycats is yet another non-talking example. His suppressed chuckling at Alexandra's misfortunes is quite frequent.
  • Cat from Little Bear is the snarkiest member of the main cast.
  • Looney Tunes: Dodsworth was a very short-lived Warner Bros. character, appearing in only two shorts. He was a lazy, obese cat with Sheldon Leonard furnishing his snarks. As he allows an army of mice to steal food past him: "One 'o these days, I'm gonna have to get a mousetrap."
  • Opalescence from My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic. The timing of her meows and facial expressions combined give off this trope's feel. This applies especially well to "Sweet and Elite", where Rarity keeps talking to Opal about various things and Opal almost constantly responds in a Silent Snarker type way. Also the time that Sweetie Belle wonders aloud if she could be good with animals; Opal slices off part of her mane with Audible Sharpness and smirks as if to say "Lol, U mad?" The only thing is, she is only like this when Fluttershy isn't around. When Fluttershy is around, Opal becomes a perfect little cat.
  • Salem (again!) in Sabrina: The Animated Series is just as snarky as his live-action counterpart.
  • Azrael in The Smurfs (1981), though he snarks in meows and may not even be snarking.
  • SpongeBob SquarePants: SpongeBob's pet snail, Gary, who is analogous to a cat, and whose facial expressions unambiguously convey his thoughts about all the goings-on.
  • Doctor T'Ana from Star Trek: Lower Decks is a sentient felinoid known as a Caitian. She has an irritable personality and stands out as a Deadpan Snarker, even aboard the World of Snark that is the U.S.S. Cerritos.
  • Shere Khan (again!), in TaleSpin, this time as a serious, pragmatic, ruthless businesscat rather than a jungle predator.
  • Luxor from Tutenstein combines this trope with Servile Snarker; he's usually very diplomatic about his human companions' failings, but he will occasionally make a quip about it.
  • In PAW Patrol, Katie's cat Cali often huffs or rolls her eyes at the others' antics.

 
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Alternative Title(s): Cats Are Snarky

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Amonojaku

Amonojaku frequently insults the 4 main protagonists in the ADV Dub, calling them the ugliest kids he's ever looked at.

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