Bakeneko
Bakeneko
Katsumi-2.jpg
Portrayed by
Statistics
Full Name Katsumi Oshiro
Age 23
Height 5'5"
Build Svelte
Eyes Magenta
Hair Blue Black
Skin Fair
Factions Independent

Quoted!

-Katsumi Oshiro is a somewhat popular Japanese professional wrestler! Aside from an impressive in-ring skill and talent, she's known for the contrast of her girlish demeanor and irreverent attitude. Mix in a dash of rule-bending and sass, and she's effectively earned the nickname "Punk Princess." But outside of shows, she's known to be playful and personable towards fans, especially of the younger variety.

-Bakeneko, on the other hand, is only just starting out.

Reputation

Katsumi Oshiro, the Punk Princess, is a sassy star in the world of Japanese professional wrestling known for her attitude as much as her in-ring skill. Though certainly entertaining, her proclivity to bend the rules and taunt opponents usually lands her in the heel category. Meanwhile, Bakeneko is a vivacious new heroine with supernatural physical prowess and easy charisma, eager to make a difference!

Biography

To understand Bakeneko, one must first understand the Legend of the Forgotten Village and the God of Monsters…

Long ago, there stood a remote fishing village on the coast of the Ibaraki Prefecture of Japan. Isolated by surrounding dark and dangerous wilderness, the people who lived there were simple, but content, safe under the wise and just guidance of the samurai. Then, at the dawn of the Edo period, the samurai were called upon to leave the village. With a heavy heart, the samurai obeyed the decree and left.

Without the protection of the samurai and still cut off from the world, the people grew fearful. Visitors stopped appearing. It was as though Japan had completely forgotten them. Some ventured out to deliver taxation, never to return. Soon, they came to believe they were surrounded by monsters.

Paranoia became cruelty. Anyone behaving oddly was immediately assumed to be a shapeshifted yokai and put to death. It spread into a paranoia-driven monster hunt. All turtles were assumed to be infantile kappa. All feline pets were rounded up and slaughtered. Any birds of prey found were killed. Neither animal nor human would be spared in this unhinged purge. As the village fell into chaos, the elders mourned the complete destruction of their once beloved village. Some felt the need to flee and take their chances in the wilderness. Others felt their hearts fill with anger and despair.

Some elders stole away into the wilderness to cry out to the gods for deliverance. The voice that answered back was one of rage. Makai-no-Yomorinushi, Lord Protector of the Night and god of yokai, knew of the village and its atrocities. He instructed the elder to build a shrine to him in secret, and once done, a ritual to perform; a selfless act of force against a human in service to a beast, and an offering of the chosen's blood upon the shrine. Only then would they be given the deliverance they sought.

The elders created the shrine to exact specifications, from the monstrous visage of Yomorinushi tot he feline statue at its base, hidden away in the woods where the villagers dared not tread. All that remained was the ritual itself. Yet as they returned to the village, they found the daimyo's full military might sweeping through. One of the elders had reached civilization beyond the wilderness.

The villagers resisted like monsters, themselves. In the end, there were no survivors. Out of respect to the samurai who once protected and governed the village, its name and history were stricken from the records, not to live on in memory. But the dark shrine to Makai-no-Yomorinushi, Lord Protector of the Night, god of monsters, remained in the forest just beyond its borders.

Waiting…

Skip ahead about four centuries.

The Oshiros were a proud, prestigious family. They had means, they had wealth, they had influence. The one thing they didn't have was a child. Due to medical complications, that was a situation that would never be remedied. So they went out and adopted a mischievous, bright-eyed girl who was an early teen. She just happened to be a little rough around the edges.

They gave her everything she could ever need. They doted on her with gifts, with allowance, with praise. She soaked it all in and enjoyed their encouragement of her exploration into the field of art and music. She had the heart of a performer, and the burgeoning skill of a musician. But there were two things they couldn't quell in her, be it through strong verbal reprimand, sanctions, or bribe. She had a proclivity towards violence and rough play, and adored the garish affair of professional wrestling.

As they attempted more and more to curb her fascination with the violent sport and her uncouth behavior, she began to rebel. They were at their wits' end by the time they shipped her off to college, but they'd done it. They had survived their daughter. And they were sure that, in college, she would grow to be a respectable, productive woman of value. They did their job.

Katsumi was happy to go to college. She loved the arts program, and got to shadow professional DJs and soundboard operators. She focused musically on the guitar and vocals. But that's when she discovered a locally-based federation. As a publicity stunt, they held tryouts for the general public. Without a second thought, she tossed up her hand. Despite being thoroughly trounced, she demonstrated a strong aptitude and base knowledge, and was offered training.

When the training began, her grades slipped. Katsumi went from a top tier student to frequently beaten, tired, and distracted. On the flip side, she was getting stronger and making a name for herself as a cocky young upstart eager to prove herself. Training as a wrestler rapidly emerged as her top priority, until she was just skimping by on barely passable grades.

This continued right up until her junior year, where she suddenly dropped out. She'd been offered a double position in the Neon League Federation, a considerably larger and more lucrative promotion, as a dancer and wrestler. Katsumi had never tried dancing professionally before, but she was certain enthusiasm and rhythm would make up for it. It didn't. Following one profoundly uninspired performance, she was dropped to only being a wrestler. The frustration and embarrassment kept her from wanting to re-enroll, however, and decided to make wrestling her sole focus.

When the time came to notify her parents of her life choice, she was terrified. She broke the news to them when she visited her home in Osaka. They officially disowned her.

Utterly heartbroken and alone, she threw herself completely into her growing profession. She was living her dream, despite their hatred of her choice, and she refused to not enjoy it. Her training, dedication, and determination, along with a noteworthy ring presence, paid off. Her attitude and girlish demeanor earned her the "Punk Princess" monicker.

Katsumi continued to train and wrestle for the Neon League Federation for the next few years, living the life she mostly wanted for herself. She had fans. She had rising fame in the industry. She had the cameras, the action, the sport itself; she was living the dream. But life wasn't done throwing curveballs.

Following her 23rd birthday, Katsumi was billed to appear for an international special in the States. For her promo, the crew went looking for something dramatic for a backdrop. And what they found, isolated at the end of a winding barely-dirt-path, was an abandoned and semi-destroyed village.

During Katsumi's promo, a bug flew in her mouth. What followed was a string of expletives and ranting about country villages in the middle of nowhere. She clearly needed a minute. As she wandered the woods to refocus, the sound of distressed meowing caught her attention. A stray cat was being kicked and harassed by a couple interns. Without hesitation, she leapt into the fray and trounced them.

Afterwards, Katsumi picked up the cat to check on it, only for it to claw her hand. She dropped it in recoil before setting her clawed hand on a nearby structure. She soon noticed the intricacy of the stonework - a shrine to a god she didn't recognize. As she gazed into the eyes of the deity, she felt a heavy thump in her chest. And then everything went black.

Unwittingly, Katsumi had completed the ritual set in motion centuries ago. She was given the power of Makai-no-Yomorinushi, Lord Protector of the Night, god of monsters; the Yokai Soul. She would be his champion. His divine vengeance against humanity.

Well, presumably, anyway.

Katsumi was fine when she woke up later and insisted they continue with their schedule. That evening, as Katsumi boarded a plane bound for the United States, moonlight touched the bloodied shrine in the lost woods. The feline statue at its base began to soften into flesh and fur. Herukage, Yomorinushi's contingency plan, had finally awakened.

Character Details

Katsumi Oshiro, the "Punk Princess," is a girl with a personality easily twice her size. She's energetic, snarky, and ultimately complicated. And depending on one's position when dealing with her, she can be either fun, entertaining, or frustrating.

Most know her for her performances in the world of professional wrestling. What some might not realize is that the real Katsumi isn't very different from what they see in the ring. She's a lifelong agitator and punk who loves taking jabs at people. If there's a button to be pushed, she's likely to find it and keep needling at it while having tremendous fun in the process. However for Katsumi, it's all in good fun. There's rarely any real venom behind the antics.

What people don't see from her ring performance is the impact her puckish behavior has on her personal life. It's left her isolated, having a difficult time connecting with people, or finding anyone who can really put up with her. She's tried modifying her behavior to be less jabby, but remaining on guard that much tends to stress her out to the point where she slips, apologizes, and winds up feeling bad regardless. The end result is a desperately lonely Katsumi who genuinely regrets upsetting people, but can't seem to help herself.

Another facet of her in-ring behavior that carries over to her actual self is the showmanship. Katsumi has the heart of a performer and she feeds off of an audience. It doesn't really matter what she's doing - she's a crowd pleaser. Granted, during her in-ring appearances, she's vastly more used to getting boos than cheers. But it makes no difference. When she has eyes and attention, the energy is palpable.

That said, now that she's begun a new facet of her life as a superheroine, she's getting considerably better reception from audiences. It's elating, and slowly pushing her to try to be more the hero people want to see.

Of course, all of this plays into her sense of competition and self-worth. Despite the trashtalk and tough-girl shade she'll toss, Katsumi does not have a particularly high opinion of herself; and she projects that onto everyone around her. Due to her birth parents abandoning her, her adoptive parents disowning her, and her constant struggle to forge and maintain relationships, Katsumi has come to the conclusion that there's something inherently wrong with her, and leaves her fairly sensitive to certain kinds of remark.

This has also lead to a certain need to constantly prove herself. Whether it's in fights, to people who might be friends, in petty competition, it doesn't really matter. Subconsciously, Katsumi needs others to see her as a person with value. Fortunately her foray into the world of superheroics has started to help, but she still sees herself as damaged, or less than ideal. So she continues to meet challenges head-on.

It's worth noting that, despite what it's cost her, professional wrestling is her life's passion and nothing is likely to ever replace that. She idolized it as a child, grew up fantasizing about it, and chased her dream into adulthood. The fact that life has given her this incredible curveball doesn't alter anything - it only opens more windows, and lets her experience what it's like to be the face, rather than heel or tweener. Or rather, villain or anti-hero.

However, even before Katsumi gained powers, there were some redeeming qualities that fans didn't miss. In the ring, the Punk Princess is a rascally opportunist who may not go into a match intending to cheat, but won't think twice about bending the rules and testing a referee's patience. Outside of the ring, she's much more personable and eager to interact with fans. When it comes to younger fans, she goes out of her way to attempt to be a positive role model to younger viewers, including self-censorship on her otherwise abrasive language and avoiding tobacco or alcohol. This certainly has carried over to her work as Bakeneko when engaging the public.

Relationships

Image Name Relation Information
Deb-Woll-Fairchild-Profile-Pic.jpg
Caitlin Fairchild Superfan? Upon meeting her shortly before the international wrestling event that lead to Katsumi staying longterm in the United States, Caitlin confessed to being a huge fan of Oshiro-san. But the truth is, Katsumi has relied tremendously on Caitlin's support throughout the advent of Bakeneko, and she greatly appreciates her. Caitlin has seen a vulnerable side of the Punk Princess that very few ever even glimpse.
Spoiler.jpg
Spoiler It's Complicated A friend? A teammate? Katsumi can't make heads or tails of Spoiler. They began as allies, and Katsumi appreciated her holding her hair while she puked with a hangover (the best way to meet new people, right?). But a very strange and abrupt physical altercation between them has thrown not only their relationship into uncertainty, but has left Katsumi doubting her place in the Titans.

Gallery

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RP Logs & Journals

July 01, 2019: Exploding Heads.

Spoiler Alert - no one's head ACTUALLY explodes. But there is some mouth melting curry, a violent sneeze, and talk of death-touch pay-per-view matches.

(permalink: log:8500 | tags: bakeneko fairchild spoiler wasp | posted: 02 Jul 2019 13:01)

May 28, 2019: Titan Drama 2.0

Nadia tries to warn Katsumi about the Red Room but things don't go to plan.

(permalink: log:8492 | tags: bakeneko nyc wasp | posted: 31 May 2019 23:49)

May 16, 2019: Officially, Bakeneko

Katsumi debuts the new costume to Caitlin! And then they talk about Caitlin's self-image. Spoiler: Women don't like being called fat.

(permalink: log:8487 | tags: bakeneko fairchild | posted: 21 May 2019 00:04)

May 13, 2019: Science and Art

Katsumi has settled into the Titans Tower, and Caitlin comes in for a jam session. They discuss the nature of music and Caitlin's boo.

(permalink: log:8483 | tags: bakeneko fairchild | posted: 14 May 2019 04:43)

May 09, 2019: A Wasp in the vents

Spoiler and Katsumi catch up at Titans tower and then Nadia interrupts unexpectedly from an air vent.

(permalink: log:8484 | tags: bakeneko spoiler wasp | posted: 14 May 2019 16:34)

May 08, 2019: Doctor Consultation

Katsumi goes to the Hall of Justice to find help against Loki's curses

(permalink: log:8482 | tags: bakeneko doctor_strange metropolis | posted: 10 May 2019 12:23)

May 02, 2019: Gomen nasai! Q.Q

In which Katsumi apologizes for breaking Spoiler and Spoiler ends up giggling.

(permalink: log:8474 | tags: bakeneko spoiler | posted: 03 May 2019 03:09)

April 27, 2019: Teams Are Complicated

As Katsumi prepares to leave the Titans Tower, she runs into the eye of the veritable storm: Spoiler. At last, they get to the heart of the issues that have been troubling the newcomer…

(permalink: log:8472 | tags: bakeneko nyc spoiler | posted: 01 May 2019 04:20)

April 27, 2019: Belonging

Katsumi is attempting to sneak back out of the Titans Tower when Caitlin spots her. They have it out concerning whether or not Katsumi belongs. In the end, Katsumi doesn't think Caitlin gets it…

(permalink: log:8469 | tags: bakeneko fairchild nyc | posted: 28 Apr 2019 07:36)

April 26, 2019: A New Monster, Bakeneko!

Katsumi has had to make some tough choices to get by in Gotham, and it's lead to her becoming an underground pit fighter. And through that, Katsumi adopts the "Bakeneko" moniker. When suddenly, Spoiler crashes the party…

(permalink: log:8468 | tags: bakeneko gotham spoiler | posted: 28 Apr 2019 00:06)

April 23, 2019: Can't I Be Both?

Following her fight with Spoiler, Katsumi flees New York to the next city over: Gotham. Ironic. There, she attempts to lay low while Herukage explains more about her role and destiny. When they find Spoiler fending off a group of thugs, Katsumi must choose a path: human or beast. In the end, the answer seems inescapable.

(permalink: log:8466 | tags: bakeneko gotham spoiler | posted: 24 Apr 2019 03:24)

April 22, 2019: Cat Fight!

While Katsumi ponders her situation, Spoiler decides it's time to push some buttons. Things get hairy in a hurry, resulting in one runaway Kat.

(permalink: log:8465 | tags: bakeneko nyc spoiler | posted: 23 Apr 2019 03:20)

April 21, 2019: Regrets

Spoiler enters the Titans Tower and catches Katsumi watching the news recapping the riots in Mutant Town earlier that day…

(permalink: log:8462 | tags: bakeneko nyc spoiler | posted: 22 Apr 2019 01:15)

April 21, 2019: Fireworks for Protestors

Anti-Mutant Protestors are marching en masse through Mutant Town! Katsumi tries to understand what's happening. Jubilee does a thing.

(permalink: log:8459 | tags: bakeneko jubilee nyc | posted: 21 Apr 2019 20:15)

April 20, 2019: Slashers

Katsumi finds the girl she'd formerly described as a psycho. Now, with everything that's happened, she decides to give her another chance. (WARNING: Dirty, dirty, dirty language.)

(permalink: log:8458 | tags: bakeneko hack nyc | posted: 21 Apr 2019 18:17)

April 20, 2019: See You Space Cowboy

Katsumi goes looking for the broken spike that seemed to seal Loki. What she finds instead is an alien!

(permalink: log:8454 | tags: bakeneko mon-el nyc | posted: 21 Apr 2019 01:17)

April 19, 2019: Free at last

Loki being freed from his tree prison.

(permalink: log:8457 | tags: bakeneko katsumi_oshiro loki none | posted: 21 Apr 2019 08:06)

April 18, 2019: Titanic training

Nadia Van Dyne runs into Katsumi training with her magical pet cat. All in all it could go a lot better.

(permalink: log:8452 | tags: bakeneko wasp | posted: 19 Apr 2019 22:06)

April 18, 2019: A Good Guest

Following training with Nadia, Katsumi runs into Caitlin. Caitlin shoots Katsumi in the leg.

(permalink: log:8451 | tags: bakeneko fairchild nyc | posted: 19 Apr 2019 08:30)

April 17, 2019: Making Nice

Katsumi is going for some milk. Nadia arrives. So does Spoiler. A certain cat is instructed to make nice. Everyone wants to shoot the messenger.

(permalink: log:8449 | tags: bakeneko nyc spoiler wasp | posted: 18 Apr 2019 03:09)

April 17, 2019: Everybody Got Speeches

Katsumi gets mugged during a jog and is saved by Spider-Man! And then everybody gets to make speeches. Even the cat.

(permalink: log:8447 | tags: bakeneko nyc spider-man | posted: 17 Apr 2019 22:58)

April 11, 2019: Dark Horse (Pt. 2)

At long last, the extremely woolly calico cat arrives at its destination: Katsumi's temporary abode in Titans Tower. There, in the wee hours of the sunless morning, she learns the origins of her powers.

(permalink: log:8442 | tags: bakeneko nyc spoiler | posted: 15 Apr 2019 02:53)

April 11, 2019: Dark Horse (Pt. 1)

Katsumi has decided she, along with Caitlin Fairchild, are due for a girls' night out. Nadia Van Dyne and Stephanie Brown are invited, and the latter also makes it!

(permalink: log:8437 | tags: bakeneko fairchild nyc spoiler | posted: 11 Apr 2019 04:23)

April 07, 2019: G.I.R.L always promises a safe testing environment

After the big party at Titans Tower Nadia Van Dyne offers to run some tests on Katsumi Oshiro back at G.I.R.L HQ with some unexpected results.

(permalink: log:8435 | tags: bakeneko wasp | posted: 09 Apr 2019 01:42)

April 07, 2019: Cookies for all

Caitlin Fairchild arranges a meet and greet for young heroes in the first-ever 'Titans Outreach Day.

(permalink: log:8434 | tags: bakeneko fairchild kang spider-man titans wasp | posted: 08 Apr 2019 03:13)

April 06, 2019: Who's Ready?

Katsumi is asked to perform for a wrestling show! How could she pass it up? It's also a good way to train controlling her power. What could go wrong?

(permalink: log:8433 | tags: bakeneko nyc spider-man | posted: 06 Apr 2019 23:17)

April 02, 2019: What's Happening to Me? (Pt. 1)

Caitlin attends the international wrestling event not only as a spectator, but as Katsumi's guest! She even gets to have a direct role in the action! But as the evening goes on, things take an alarming turn…

(permalink: log:8441 | tags: bakeneko fairchild nyc | posted: 13 Apr 2019 22:24)

April 02, 2019: What's Happening to Me? (Pt. 2)

Following the show, Katsumi texts Caitlin to tell her how the meeting went. Spoiler alert: It didn't go well. Caitlin insisted she come to her apartment, eat, and talk it out.

(permalink: log:8431 | tags: bakeneko fairchild nyc spoiler | posted: 06 Apr 2019 04:42)

April 02, 2019: What comes up must come down

A pre-match training session is interrupted by the sudden arrival of a mysterious mutant and an equally mysterious magic user.

(permalink: log:8425 | tags: bakeneko witchdoctor x-23 | posted: 03 Apr 2019 01:35)

April 01, 2019: Rumble From the East

Caitlin Fairchild meets Katsumi Oshiro

(permalink: log:8428 | tags: bakeneko fairchild | posted: 03 Apr 2019 15:20)


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