Ever watched Dragon Ball Super and thought “Wait, isn’t Beerus just a purple hairless cat?” You’re not alone! Tons of fans have noticed how much the God of Destruction looks like those wrinkly Sphynx cats you see on Instagram. But here’s the thing – there’s actually a pretty cool story behind why Beerus looks the way he does, and it’s not exactly what you’d expect.
So let me tell you the real deal about our favorite sleepy destroyer and his feline connections. Spoiler alert: it involves a sick cat, a worried pet owner, and one of the most heartwarming stories in anime creation history.
The Truth About Beerus and His Cat Inspiration
Okay, so here’s where it gets interesting. Beerus isn’t actually based on a Sphynx cat, even though they look super similar. The real inspiration comes from Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama’s own pet – a Cornish Rex cat named Debo.
Now, you might be thinking “What the heck is a Cornish Rex?” Fair question! These cats are pretty unique. They’ve got this super short, curly coat that sometimes makes them look almost hairless. They’re skinny, have huge ears, and honestly, they do look a bit alien-like when you really think about it.
But here’s the part that’ll get you right in the feels. When Debo was 14 years old (that’s pretty old for a cat), he got really sick. The vet basically told Toriyama that his beloved pet was probably going to die. Can you imagine how heartbreaking that must have been?
But then something amazing happened. Against all odds, Debo made a complete recovery. The vet was so shocked that he jokingly said the cat must be “some kind of demon” to survive like that. And boom – that’s when Toriyama got the idea for his next character. Pretty wild, right?
Why Everyone Thinks Beerus is a Sphynx Cat
I totally get why people make this connection. When you put a Sphynx cat next to Beerus, the similarities are pretty obvious:
What Sphynx cats look like:
- Completely bald (no hair at all)
- Super wrinkled skin
- Massive ears compared to their head
- Muscular but lean body
- Kind of grumpy expression most of the time
What Beerus looks like:
- Purple hairless skin
- Tall and skinny build
- Those iconic huge pointy ears
- Classic cat face shape
- That “I just woke up and I’m annoyed” look
The resemblance is so strong that people with Sphynx cats constantly dress them up as Beerus for Halloween or social media posts. And honestly? The results are usually hilarious and spot-on.
The Cornish Rex Connection
But remember, Beerus is actually based on a Cornish Rex, which is a bit different:
Cornish Rex traits:
- Very short, curly fur (sometimes looks almost bald)
- Slender, elegant body
- Big ears (sound familiar?)
- Super active and playful personality
- Known for being a bit mischievous
When you think about it, this makes way more sense for Beerus’ personality. Cornish Rex cats are known for being playful but also kind of unpredictable – just like our purple god who can go from napping to destroying planets in about two seconds.
It’s All About That Cat Behavior
Here’s what really sells the whole cat thing about Beerus – his personality is basically every cat owner’s daily experience:
The sleeping thing: Beerus sleeps for literally decades at a time. Any cat owner will tell you their pet spends about 16-20 hours a day sleeping. Toriyama just cranked that up to cosmic levels.
Picky eating: Remember how Beerus almost destroyed Earth because he didn’t like the pudding? Yeah, that’s peak cat behavior right there. Cats will literally refuse to eat if their food isn’t exactly how they want it.
Mood swings: One minute Beerus is chill and lazy, the next he’s ready to obliterate everything. Cat owners know this feeling. Your cat will be purring in your lap, then suddenly bite you for no reason.
The whole “I’m better than everyone” attitude: Let’s be real, Beerus acts exactly like a cat who knows they’re the center of the universe. Which, in his case, is actually true since he’s literally a god.
Why This Design Choice Was Genius
Think about it – cats have been associated with gods and mystery for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians worshipped cat goddesses, and cats have always had this air of being above human concerns. Making a God of Destruction look like a cat? That’s actually perfect.
Plus, there’s something both adorable and terrifying about the idea that the being who could end your entire universe looks like the pet sleeping on your couch right now. It’s that perfect mix of familiar and otherworldly that makes great character design.
The Internet’s Obsession with Cat-Beerus
Social media has absolutely run with this connection. You’ve probably seen those viral TikToks and Twitter posts where people put their hairless cats in purple makeup or little Beerus costumes. Some of them are so accurate it’s almost scary.
The fact that real cats can cosplay as Beerus so well just proves how spot-on Toriyama’s design was. When your fictional character looks so much like a real animal that people can basically just put their pet in a costume and nail it, you know you’ve created something special.
What Makes This Story So Special
The whole Beerus creation story is honestly one of my favorite examples of how real life influences art. Toriyama didn’t just decide “hey, let me make a cat character.” He was inspired by his own experience as a pet owner, the relief and joy of his cat’s recovery, and that emotional connection comes through in the character.
It’s way more meaningful than just “purple cat looks cool.” There’s genuine love and personal history baked into Beerus’ design, and I think that’s part of why the character feels so authentic and memorable.
Other Dragon Ball Characters with Animal Inspiration
Beerus isn’t the only one, by the way. Toriyama has always drawn inspiration from animals:
- Goku’s original monkey-like appearance
- Frieza’s design inspired by refrigerators (okay, that one’s not an animal, but still)
- Various characters throughout the series have animal traits
But Beerus feels different because of that personal connection. It’s not just visual inspiration – it’s emotional inspiration too.
Common Questions People Ask
Is Beerus supposed to be an actual cat?
Nope! He’s an alien from a race of cat-like beings. Think of it like how Saiyans look mostly human but aren’t actually human.
Could I get a cat that looks like Beerus?
Cornish Rex and Sphynx cats are your best bets, though they’re pretty expensive and have special care needs since they don’t have much fur.
Are there other characters like Beerus?
His brother Champa from Universe 6 has a similar design but he’s more like a fat house cat than Beerus’ sleek look.
Did Toriyama’s cat Debo live a long life after his recovery?
The stories don’t go into detail about Debo’s later life, but the fact that he inspired such an iconic character is a pretty awesome legacy for any pet.
The Bottom Line
So is Lord Beerus a Sphynx cat? Not technically, but the visual similarities are definitely there. The real story is even better though – he’s based on a Cornish Rex who beat the odds and inspired his owner to create one of anime’s most memorable characters.
Whether you’re team Sphynx or team Cornish Rex, one thing’s for sure: Beerus perfectly captures that essential cat energy we all know and love (or love to hate, depending on whether you’re a cat person). He’s lazy, he’s picky, he’s powerful, and he definitely thinks he’s better than everyone else.
And honestly? In his case, he probably is.
The next time you’re watching Dragon Ball Super and Beerus is being his typical dramatic cat self, just remember – somewhere out there, there was a real cat named Debo who inspired this whole thing. And that sick little cat who wasn’t supposed to survive ended up becoming the inspiration for a literal god.
Now that’s what I call a glow-up.
