Hentai Ouji to Warawanai Neko.

Hentai Ouji to Warawanai Neko, often known by the abbreviation HenNeko, originated as a light novel series written by Sagara Sou and illustrated by Kantoku, first published in 2010. The story centers on a high school student named Youto Yokodera, who makes a wish to a stone statue of a smiling cat, causing him to lose the ability to hide his true thoughts. The series belongs to the romantic comedy genre, utilizing supernatural elements to explore the social anxieties and internal conflicts of its teenage protagonists.

The character designs by Kantoku played a significant role in the series' popularity, characterized by his distinct, vivid color palettes and expressive portraiture. Upon its release, the light novels were well-received within the subculture of Japanese light novel readers, leading to a successful manga adaptation and a 2013 anime series produced by J.C.Staff. The narrative's focus on the juxtaposition between the characters' public personas and their unfiltered inner monologues allowed it to stand out within a crowded market of school-based light novel comedies.