🧬 Large cat-lion hybrid, thick fur

⚠️ Danger: 4

The Akita Lion is a rare mention in Japanese regional folklore, described as a lion-like feline roaming the forests of Akita Prefecture. Said to be covered in a thick, almost mane-like coat, it resembles a hybrid between a mountain lion and a snow leopard. Most accounts are anecdotal, shared by rural villagers or elderly storytellers. It may originate from misidentifications of wild dogs or escaped exotic pets. There are no significant media mentions or documented sightings, and it remains more of a whispered myth than a celebrated legend. Still, it holds a small place in local oral traditions.