If you’ve ever looked at your cat and thought, “You’re definitely a chaotic college roommate in another universe,”
you’re going to love this. A Chinese digital artist known as Xuedaixun has turned real cats and dogs
into human characters, and the results look like they walked straight out of a gorgeous manhua or anime-style comic.
In a viral series featured on Bored Panda, she recreates beloved pets as people, matching each animal’s pose,
colors, and mood with stunning accuracy across 22 side-by-side illustrations.
On one side: a fluffy cat or an expressive dog. On the other: a human character echoing the exact same tilt of the
head, gleam in the eye, or “I run this house” energy. It’s fan art for pets, character design practice, and emotional
storytelling all rolled into one.
Meet the Artist Who Turns Pets Into People
Xuedaixun is a Chinese illustrator whose main body of work lives in the world of manhuaChinese-style comics
and digital art. Her gallery on platforms like DeviantArt and Weibo showcases dreamy, detailed portraits with soft
lighting, intricate clothing, and expressive faces that feel almost cinematic. In the middle of that portfolio is a
very special side project: transforming everyday cats and dogs into human characters inspired directly by the pets’
photos.
Rather than just drawing “a girl with cat ears” or “a guy with dog vibes,” she carefully studies the original photos.
The curve of a paw on the edge of a scratching post, the way whiskers catch the light, or the intensity of a dog’s
stare are all carefully translated into human poses, hair, and outfits. It’s not just fan art of animalsit’s portrait
work that treats each pet like a fully developed character.
From Whiskers to Wardrobes: How the Transformations Work
1. Capturing the Mood, Not Just the Markings
What makes this series stand out is how well the artist captures each animal’s personality. The human
versions don’t just copy fur colors and patternsthey mirror feelings:
- A wide-eyed tabby cat becomes a slightly anxious, big-eyed girl leaning on a table, hands posed the same way as the cat’s paws.
- A regal, long-haired kitty looking off into the distance becomes a serene young woman in flowing clothes, gazing in the same direction with that familiar “I see into your soul” look.
- A curious puppy with a tilted head transforms into a boy with soft hair and the exact same angle of curiosity in his eyes.
This focus on mood is what makes people stop scrolling. It feels less like you’re looking at a drawing and more like
you’re meeting the “human version” of someone’s furry roommate.
2. Turning Fur and Ears Into Fashion and Hair
The series also shows off some seriously clever design choices. Instead of literally sticking fur on a person,
Xuedaixun uses:
- Hair color and style to echo fur patternstortoiseshell mixes, tabby stripes, or fluffy manes become bangs, braids, and layers.
- Clothing textures that feel like fur: oversized scarves, fuzzy collars, and cozy coats mirror the softness of a pet’s coat.
- Small details such as earrings, ribbons, or hair accessories that match collars, whisker placement, or eye color.
In some portraits, the human versions even keep subtle animal hints, like cat ears or a tail tucked into the design,
almost like a fantasy cosplay version of the pet. It’s playful, but still rooted in the original photo.
3. Manhua Style Meets Real-Life Pets
The art style itself leans into soft, painterly rendering. Light glows off hair the same way it does off fur in the
original photos. Backgrounds tend to be simple or atmospheric, keeping all the focus on the character’s expression
and pose. It’s a perfect blend of stylized illustration and realistic referenceideal for fans of anime, manhua, and
pet photography.
Why the Internet Is Obsessed With Humanized Cats and Dogs
The idea of turning animals into people isn’t new, but this particular series hits a sweet spot: it’s cute,
technically impressive, and extremely shareable. Pet lovers see their own animals reflected in these drawings, and
art fans appreciate the skill it takes to transform a photo into a fully realized character design.
Scroll through comments on posts about the series and you’ll find people swooning over the eyes, laughing at how
perfectly the artist captured a pet’s attitude, or tagging friends with, “This is literally your cat if she were in a
drama series.” The reactions are a mix of:
- Nostalgia – The art feels like a panel ripped out of a favorite comic book.
- Recognition – People love seeing traits they know from their pets reflected in human expressions.
- Wish fulfillment – Many viewers start imagining what their own pets would look like as main characters.
In an internet universe already full of pet memes, filters, and AI photo mashups, this series stands out because it’s
clearly crafted by hand, with time, care, and affection for each animal.
Inside the 22 Pics: Personalities in Every Portrait
While the series is typically presented as a gallery of 22 images, each pair tells its own mini story. You don’t need
captions to guess who’s shy, who’s dramatic, and who definitely knocks things off shelves for no reason.
A few common “types” that show up in the artwork:
- The Shy Stare-Down: A cat pressed up against the edge of a surface, watching something intently. The human version leans in the same way, hair framing their face, eyes big and thoughtful.
- The Royal Fluff: Long-haired cats and dogs often become elegant characters in cloaks or layered outfits, with the same regal posture and “I deserve treats for existing” energy.
- The Cozy Companion: Round-faced kitties and soft-eyed pups turn into warm, approachable characters in sweaters and scarves, the kind of people you’d trust to hold your drink and your secrets.
- The Mischief Maker: Some pets clearly have mischief in their eyesthose become smirking, slightly chaotic characters who look like they’re five minutes away from starting something.
Even without knowing the real names of the animals, you can easily imagine their whole personalitiesand that’s the
mark of strong character design.
Part of a Bigger Trend: Animals Reimagined as Humans
Xuedaixun’s work fits into a broader online trend: “humanizing” animals and characters. Websites like
Bored Panda and Demilked regularly feature artists who:
- Turn animated Disney animals into humans with matching poses and outfits.
- Reverse the idea and turn human characters into animals (“humanimals”).
- Create original characters inspired by pets, wildlife, or fantasy creatures.
These projects all tap into the same fascination: we love imagining what our favorite animals would be like if they
could talk, dress, and walk among us. Pet illustrators, character designers, and concept artists use this idea as a
fun exercise to practice anatomy, expression, and storytelling in a single image.
What These Pet-to-Human Portraits Say About Us
On the surface, this series is pure cuteness. But it also quietly shows how deeply people connect with their pets.
When you take the time to reimagine a cat or dog as a person, you’re basically saying, “You’re not just an animal in
my house. You’re a full-on character in my life.”
The humanized versions highlight traits that owners already see:
- Loyalty becomes a protective stance or a gentle, watchful expression.
- Curiosity turns into sharp, searching eyes or a slightly forward-leaning pose.
- Playfulness shows up as a half-smile, messy hair, or dynamic clothing.
It’s also a reminder of how visual we are as humans. We’re constantly telling stories with faceswhether through art,
filters, cosplay, or character avatars. Turning pets into people just gives us another way to say, “Look at who they
are to me.”
Extra Deep Dive: Experiences and Stories Inspired by Humanized Pets
One of the best things about a project like “Chinese Artist Creates Human Version Of Cats And Dogs” is the way it
sparks people’s imaginations. Scroll long enough through social media posts featuring the series and you’ll notice
recurring patterns in how fans react and interact with the artwork.
“That’s Literally My Cat” Energy
Many viewers immediately project their own pets onto the illustrations. Someone with a chubby tabby will point at a
soft-faced character in a big sweater and say, “This is Muffin if she had to commute and drink iced coffee for
survival.” A dog owner might see a serious, sharp-eyed character and joke, “This is my husky when he hears the word
‘walk’ spelled out.”
This reaction is more than a memeit’s a quiet form of storytelling. People are mapping their own lives, routines,
and friendships onto these characters. The portraits become stand-ins for real relationships between humans and
animals, adding an extra emotional layer on top of the already impressive artwork.
Art Students and Character Designers Take Notes
Another group that loves this series? Aspiring artists. It’s a ready-made lesson in design thinking:
- Start with reference: a clear pet photo with visible posture and expression.
- Identify the key traits: round eyes, droopy ears, dramatic fluff, or a grumpy resting face.
- Translate those traits into human form: hairstyles, clothing, accessories, and facial expressions.
Teachers and online art communities often encourage exercises like “turn your pet into a character” or “design a
fantasy hero based on your favorite animal.” Xuedaixun’s work serves as a high-level example of how far that idea can
go when you commit to the details.
Commission Culture and Fan Requests
Even though this specific series is a self-driven project, it sits right next to a growing culture of commissions
where artists turn people’s pets into stylized portraitssometimes as humans, sometimes as knights, witches, or
futuristic warriors. Pet owners love hanging custom art on their walls, and humanized pet portraits are a natural
evolution of that trend.
Imagine gifting someone a framed illustration of their dog reimagined as a gentle, scarf-wearing main character in a
winter romance anime. It hits harder than a generic print because it’s personal, funny, and oddly moving.
A Quiet Form of Comfort
For some people, humanized pet art also becomes a way to remember animals they’ve lost. While the original Bored
Panda feature is mostly light-hearted and fun, viewers often take the concept further in their own minds. Seeing a
cat or dog turned into a person can feel like a visual “what if”what if this pet could talk back, roll their eyes at
my bad jokes, or sit across from me in a café?
That kind of imagining can be surprisingly comforting. It gives shape to the bond that already existed, putting it in
a form we’re very used to reading: the human face.
Try It Yourself: Turning Your Pet Into a Character
You don’t have to be a professional illustrator to play with this idea. Even simple sketches or written descriptions
can be fun:
- Ask yourself: if your cat were human, what job would they have? Dramatic theater major? Retired CEO? That friend who always brings snacks?
- Think about clothes: is your dog a hoodie person, a suit-and-tie type, or strictly oversized pajamas?
- Imagine their “poster look”: if they were on the cover of a comic, how would they stand? Confident, curled up, or mid-chaos?
This kind of playful thinking is exactly what sits behind Xuedaixun’s work. It’s not just about drawing wellit’s
about understanding a personality and translating it into visual storytelling. That’s why the 22 images in the series
feel so instantly alive.
Conclusion
The series “Chinese Artist Creates Human Version Of Cats And Dogs, And The Result Is On Point (22 Pics)” is more than
a viral gallery. It’s a showcase of how art, pets, and imagination collide. By turning real cats and dogs into
human-like characters, Xuedaixun highlights the personalities we already see in our pets and gives them a new kind of
spotlightone where they’re not just companions, but main characters.
Whether you come for the soft brushwork, the clever character design, or just the joy of seeing fluffy drama queens
turned into illustrated humans, it’s the kind of project that reminds us why the internet never gets tired of animal
content: because behind every pair of whiskers and every wagging tail, there’s a story waiting to be told.
sapo:
A Chinese digital artist known as Xuedaixun has taken the internet by storm with a series that turns real cats and dogs
into breathtaking human characters. Inspired by actual pet photos, each of the 22 illustrations mirrors the animal’s
pose, colors, and personality, transforming them into manhua-style humans that feel like fully developed characters.
From shy tabbies reimagined as cozy, soft-spoken girls to regal long-haired cats reborn as dramatic cloaked figures,
every portrait is a love letter to the bond between people and their pets. If you’ve ever wondered what your own furry
friend would look like as the star of a comic, this story will have you imagining wardrobes, backstories, and poster-
ready poses in no time.
