Echizen Ryoma's Himalayan cat. <br /> <br /> Karupin is used as a symbolic device in the series. For example Nanjirou teases/plays with Karupin in ways that parallel the manner that Ryoma's tennis matches are proceeding.<br /> <br /> When Karupin overcomes Nanjirou's teasing, the tide turns in Ryoma's matches.<br /><br />