Furry or Not?: The Escapist Decides!

[xPixelatedx]

Do they, and characters like them count as "furry"? If they don't, where exactly is the line that something most cross to become furry?

If we are speaking in terms of 'what people actually believe', I think the label "furry" is completely subjective... I used to think it was cut&dry, until I saw people using it to label things like aliens and such. I always viewed furries as simply 'an animal that was given human characteristics', such as Sly Cooper. He's a raccoon who was drawn as a person. To me, that's what a furry is. If an alien or fantasy creature just happens to look more animal-like then human, I don't think it's furry, the same with this anime neko stuff. Fun fact: furry actually means "funny animal" and was an original reference to cartoon characters, like bugs bunny. As such a lot of things labeled as "furry" are done so incorrectly. Things like turian porn and Medusa porn are often called furry because they involves inhuman characters.

I argue that no, it doesn't count unless the thing in question is undeniably more animal than human, or you actually want the animal part more.

They're humans with a few minor animal features tacked on.

I should point out that furries are VERY human-like. That's why most reptilian furrys have breasts if they are female. Furries don't really seem interested in non-human stuff anymore then other people, if they were their creations would look more like 'creatures' rather then 'oddly colored humans with animal heads'.

 

[Asclepion]

I've always found this to be a useful guide...

Spoiler

But seriously though, my thoughts are ... if they still have a 'human' face, then no, not furry. If they have a more 'animal'-like face (a snout, for instance), then it's furry.

Fixed it for you:

Spoiler

 

[A Weakgeek]

Yep, its not a furry just because of animal accessories. In my mind, only when the face is altered does it count as a furry.

Spoiler: This for example, is not a furry

and neither are catgirls or playboy bunnies in general

 

[Scarim Coral]

Not really, the way I view if the animal like character to be furry or not is by the facial apperance. If the face is animal like (fur or long snort like an horse) then I view it to be furry or if the face is more human like that it's not furry to me.

EG that Sherufanir image isn't furry to be cause of her human face otherwise if she is furry she would have more of an fox like face.

 

[The_Echo]

Catgirls (and others like them) aren't furry. They are humans with animal traits (generally only ears/tail).

Furry characters are anthropomorphic animals. Animals with human traits (namely, body type).

The key defining trait of a 'furry' is the base of the character. Putting bunny ears on an anime girl doesn't make her furry. Shoving a human skeleton into a cat's skin does.

 

[Lieju]

I always assumed they had to actually have fur (or scales/feathers) to be furries.

I wouldn't call mermaids or centaurs or nagas 'furries', for example, they are monster-creatures or something.

I argue that no, it doesn't count unless the thing in question is undeniably more animal than human, or you actually want the animal part more.

Furries tend to be pretty human, though. And it's not like all people who are into this stuff are the same, but if they 'wanted the animal part more', wouldn't they be into bestiality, then?

Furry art I see tends to depict them as very human-like, especially considering their sexuality. (as in, they have human sexual characteristics, like breasts, and human sexual behaviour, like kissing)

 

[Paragon Fury]

Ok, lets try it one harder, shall we?

Lets say, the Draenei from World of Warcraft? Its a pretty common insult to call people like Draenei or play as Draenei "goat-lovers" and furry-lovers.

Spoiler

Female (they have tails as well, but hers is hidden)

Male

 

[Paragon Fury]

Yeah, I'm not watching that "cat planet cuties" clip.

And I am not watching that video based upon the thumbnail.

DO IT. The power of the mammary compels you!