Recommended music: Linkin Park – Breaking the Habit
It’s another #FunkoFriday, and today we’re featuring another version of the Funko Pop! Vinyl Saga – Lying Cat #11!
The Maneki-neko, which means “beckoning cat,” is also called the lucky cat or welcoming cat. This Japanese figurine is thought to bring good luck, prosperity, and fortune to its owner. It first appeared in Tokyo or Kyoto sometime between the 17th and 19th centuries and remains a symbol of positive energy around the world. The statue shows a Japanese Bobtail cat with one paw raised. People often place these statues at the entrances of businesses, restaurants, and homes.
The meaning of the Maneki-neko changes with its design. Each raised paw brings a different kind of luck, and the color matters too. The classic calico is considered the luckiest. Black cats are said to protect against evil spirits and sickness. Red cats are linked to love and relationships. White cats stand for happiness, purity, and good things ahead. Gold cats are believed to bring wealth and financial success.
So, why am I mentioning the Maneki-neko?
In the comic series Saga, Lying Cat is a sphinx-like alien cat who serves as both a loyal companion and a moral guide to the bounty hunter known as The Will. Her main trait is that she cannot stand lies. She calls out enemies when they lie and helps people let go of painful false beliefs about themselves, offering comfort and healing. Whenever someone nearby knowingly says something untrue, she instantly growls her famous catchphrase: “Lying.”
Over the years, Image Comics and creators Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples have worked with different companies to create official merchandise for Saga’s popular character, including Funko. In 2018, Funko released over a dozen Pop! Vinyl Saga figures, and nearly half were Comics Series #11: Lying Cat. Along with the usual teal version from the comic [see last week’s post], there was also a gold repaint available only at 2nd & Charles and Books-A-Million (BAM!). The solid gold design makes me think of the beckoning cat statues.
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