Akatori Hidden Cats Guide: All Cat Spirit Locations and Completion Tips

Master the hunt for all Akatori hidden cats. Our guide covers regional locations, staff abilities, and tips for 100% completion in this 2D metroidvania.

Finding all the Akatori hidden cats is one of the most rewarding side activities for players exploring the beautiful yet dangerous world of Kohaku. As Mako, a battle monk raised in the Firebird Temple, you must traverse five distinct and interconnected worlds to stop the corruption of the Amber Storms. Tracking down every one of the Akatori hidden cats requires a mix of platforming precision, keen observation, and the clever use of your mystical staff.

In this fan-made wiki guide, we will break down the strategies for locating these elusive feline spirits, the abilities you need to reach them, and how they contribute to your overall progress toward 100% completion. Whether you are navigating the heights of the Akatori Monastery or the industrial depths of the Amber Plant, these collectibles are essential for any dedicated completionist.

The Importance of Finding Cat Spirits

In the world of Akatori, collectibles are more than just icons on a map. While the primary goal of Mako’s journey is to quell the Amber Storms using her sealed firebird staff, the hidden cats serve as a testament to the player's mastery of the game’s movement mechanics.

Collecting these spirits is directly tied to the game’s 31 Steam achievements. For many players, the hunt for Akatori hidden cats is the ultimate endgame challenge, requiring significant backtracking once new traversal abilities are unlocked at the Bells of Chaos.

Collectible Overview

Collectible Type	Total Count (Estimated)	Primary Reward
Hidden Cat Spirits	20+	Steam Achievements / Completion %
Amber Globe	1	Souvenir / Lore
Chaos Points	Variable	Ability Upgrades
Health Boosts	Limited	Increased Survivability

Essential Staff Abilities for Exploration

You cannot find every one of the Akatori hidden cats on your first pass through a region. Like any classic metroidvania, Akatori utilizes "ability gating," where certain areas are inaccessible until Mako earns specific upgrades. These upgrades are purchased at the Bells of Chaos using Chaos points.

To effectively hunt for cats, you should prioritize the following staff abilities:

Glide: Essential for crossing large gaps in the Amber Forest.
Staff Slide: Allows Mako to move through narrow passages often found in the Amber Mines.
Enemy Pull: Can sometimes be used to reposition enemies to serve as platforms.
Staff Return and Strike: Useful for hitting distant switches that reveal secret alcoves.

Staff Ability Progression Table

Ability Name	Exploration Use	Combat Utility
Dodge & Counter	Avoid environmental hazards	Punish aggressive enemies
Deflect	Redirect projectiles to break walls	Neutralize ranged threats
Rapid Attacks	Clear thick foliage/debris	High DPS against bosses
Shockwave	Break floor seals	Crowd control
Staff Return	Activate remote levers	Long-range damage

Regional Breakdown: Where to Look

The world of Akatori is divided into five major regions. Each biome has a distinct visual style and unique environmental puzzles that hide the Akatori hidden cats. While specific coordinates can shift during game updates, community reports suggest looking in the following types of locations.

Akatori Monastery

As the starting zone, the Monastery introduces you to the basics of searching for secrets. Look for cats behind "fake" walls that appear solid but can be walked through. Many cats here are perched on high rafters that require basic wall jumping or the initial staff-assisted leap.

Amber Castle

The Castle is defined by its verticality. Players have reported finding Akatori hidden cats tucked away in the upper corners of grand hallways or hidden behind tapestries. Keep an ear out for faint meowing sounds, which often indicate a cat is nearby but just out of sight.

Amber Mines

This is one of the more difficult areas to search. The Mines are filled with dark corners and destructible rocky outcrops. Use your staff’s light and strike abilities to clear away rubble. Many cats here are hidden in "sub-rooms" that only appear on the map once you have physically entered the secret passage.

Amber Forest

The Forest utilizes Mako’s gliding ability more than any other region. Look for cats on isolated floating islands or hidden behind the dense canopy of trees. Some cats in the Forest are only accessible after defeating a local mini-boss, which clears a path deeper into the woods.

Amber Plant

The industrial Amber Plant features high-speed conveyor belts and crushing hazards. Finding Akatori hidden cats here requires precise timing. Look for maintenance shafts or vents that Mako can slide through using her staff.

Strategies for Finding Akatori Hidden Cats

If you are struggling to reach 100% completion, follow these community-vetted strategies to streamline your search:

Listen Closely: The audio design in Akatori provides subtle cues. Cat spirits often emit a distinct sound when you are in the same room.
Watch the Map: If a room on your map has an unusual protrusion or an unfilled gap in the border, there is likely a secret passage leading to a cat.
Backtrack with New Powers: Never spend too much time on a single secret early in the game. Once you unlock the Glide or the Shockwave at a Bell of Chaos, previously impossible-to-reach ledges become accessible.
Hit Every Wall: While it sounds tedious, the classic metroidvania "wall-whacking" strategy is effective in the Amber Mines and Amber Castle. Look for cracks or inconsistencies in the tile patterns.

Bells of Chaos Upgrade Priority

Upgrade	Cost (Chaos Points)	Impact on Cat Hunting
Health Boost	Low	Allows exploration through hazards
Staff Return	Medium	Hits switches from a distance
Shockwave	High	Breaks hidden floor panels
Enemy Pull	Medium	Reaches high platforms via enemies

Achievements and 100% Completion

For players aiming for the Platinum trophy or all Steam achievements, the Akatori hidden cats are non-negotiable. There are 31 achievements in total, and several are specifically tied to exploration and collectible gathering.

According to player experience, the "Cat Lover" achievement (or similarly named completionist goals) is often one of the last ones unlocked. This is because it requires visiting every corner of the five worlds, including the high-hazard zones of the Amber Plant.

Achievement Checklist for Explorers

First Discovery: Find your first hidden cat spirit.
Monastery Master: Locate all secrets in the Firebird Temple area.
Staff Master: Unlock all staff abilities from the Bells of Chaos.
The Collector: Find the Amber Globe and a significant portion of the cat spirits.
Peace Restored: Complete the game with 100% of the map revealed.

Community Tips and Player Experience

The community surrounding Akatori is highly active on platforms like Steam and Discord. Many players suggest that the best way to find Akatori hidden cats is to play with the "Ghost" effect turned on if available, or to use the staff's glow to illuminate dark corners in the Mines.

One common player report mentions a particularly tricky cat in the Amber Forest that requires a "double-jump" maneuver using a combination of a staff-strike and an enemy bounce. If you find yourself stuck, try experimenting with the physics of the staff—it is more versatile than a simple weapon.

For more official updates, you can check the official Akatori Steam page or follow the developers at Contrast Games. These sources often post patch notes that might adjust collectible locations or add new quality-of-life features for explorers.

Conclusion

Searching for the Akatori hidden cats is a journey that takes Mako from the highest peaks of the Monastery to the deepest industrial vents of the Amber Plant. By mastering your staff abilities and keeping a keen eye on the environment, you can rescue these spirits and achieve full completion. Remember to visit the Bells of Chaos frequently to upgrade your movement options, as many cats are locked behind late-game ability gates.

Happy hunting, and may the Firebird guide your path through the Amber Storms!

FAQ: Akatori Hidden Cats

How many hidden cats are there in Akatori?

While the exact number can vary based on the current game version and potential DLC, there are generally over 20 hidden cat spirits spread across the five main regions (Monastery, Castle, Mines, Forest, and Plant). Finding all of them is required for the 100% completion achievement.

Do I need a specific ability to find all the cats?

Yes. Many of the Akatori hidden cats are located in areas that require advanced staff abilities. You will specifically need the Glide, Staff Slide, and Shockwave abilities, which are unlocked by spending Chaos points at the Bells of Chaos shrines found throughout the world.

What do I get for finding all the hidden cats?

Finding the cats contributes to your total game completion percentage and unlocks specific Steam achievements. In terms of gameplay, they serve as a marker of exploration, though the primary power progression for Mako comes from Chaos points and health boosts.

Can I miss any cats during my playthrough?

Akatori is a metroidvania, meaning you can backtrack to previous areas at almost any time. If you miss a cat in the Akatori Monastery, you can return later in the game with upgraded abilities to claim it. No cats are currently reported as "missable" before the point of no return.