Draft:Kitty Softpaws

Kitty Softpaws
Shrek character
First appearance	Puss in Boots (2011)
Created by	Brian Lynch Will Davies Tom Wheeler
Voiced by	Salma Hayek Pinault (2011-present) Margo Rey (2023-present, other media) Frank Welker (meowing sound effects)
In-universe information
Aliases	Bad Kitty
Species	Tuxedo Cat
Gender	Female
Weapon	Collaspable dagger
Family	Unnamed couple
Significant other	Puss in Boots
Origin	Spain

Kitty Softpaws is a fictional character in the Shrek franchise, introduced in the spin-off/prequel film Puss in Boots (2011) as the tritagonist and the titular character's potential love interest. She returned in its sequel Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022) as the deuteragonist, where she reunites with Puss, yet is not on good terms with him. Salma Hayek provides the voice of Kitty in the film series while Margo Rey voiced her in other productions, starting with Puss in Boots: The Trident.

Kitty is a black tuxedo cat who carries a long dagger, along with dark brown boots. Her paws do not have claws, but this lends to her skill as an exceptional thief.

Kitty has received positive responses from critics following her debut appearance, with praise towards her chemistry with Puss.

Appearances

Film series

Puss in Boots

Main article: Puss in Boots (2011 film)

Kitty Softpaws first appears in Puss in Boots, initially as a masked and silent cat. Puss encounters her during an attempt to steal the magic beans from outlaws Jack and Jill, which she seems to be pursuing as well. As the cats are about to fight each other for the beans, Jack and Jill catch them and they escape. Puss follows Kitty, chasing her throughout San Ricardo, and they end up in a cat club. There, they engage in a dance-off and a sword fight that ends with Puss hitting Kitty in the head with a guitar. Kitty takes off her mask, revealing herself to be female (much to the surprise of Puss and the other cats), and calls Puss an amateur before storming off. Puss becomes infatuated with her and follows her. He soon learns she is working with his old friend Humpty Alexander Dumpty, whom he holds a grudge against, as part of their plan to recruit him. Kitty tries to charm Puss into helping them steal the magic beans, but falls asleep as Puss explains his history with Humpty.

Eventually, Puss is convinced to join Kitty and Humpty in their mission. During their adventure, Kitty falls in love with Puss and reveals to him she was once a stray cat taken in by a couple who removed her claws. The three successfully steal the magic beans from Jack and Jill and later the Golden Goose that lays golden eggs. The next morning, Puss wakes up alone and returns to San Ricardo, only to find that Humpty and Kitty were in cahoots with Jack and Jill to steal the Golden Goose and trick Puss into being imprisoned in his hometown. However, Kitty regrets it, looking visibly sad as Puss is taken to jail. She eventually helps him escape, allowing him to save the town by bringing the Golden Goose back to the Great Terror. They then start a relationship.

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

Main article: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

Some time later, Kitty learns of a map to a "Wishing Star" being delivered to "Big" Jack Horner. Seeing this as her chance to wish for someone who she could trust, Kitty tries steal the map from Horner's factory, where she reunites with Puss, who was attempting to steal the map for himself. She, Puss and Perrito, a "therapy dog" following Puss around, escape from the pie factory together.

Initially bitter and distrustful towards Puss, she eventually warms up to him again when, after and ambush by Jack and Goldilocks leads to the map falling into Goldi's hands, she discovers that Puss abandoned their wedding after developing a fear of commitment and that he deeply regretted leaving and hurting her. They manage to steal the map back, but their escape is thwarted when Perrito is captured by Goldilocks and Puss is separated from Kitty by the Cave of Lost Souls, an obstacle created by the Star's magic. Kitty manages to save Perrito from Goldilocks' trap.

Upon seeing Puss run for the Star, Kitty assumes that Puss has betrayed her. After seeing Puss battling Death and standing up for his final life, Kitty realizes that she could trust him. To keep Horner from getting the wish, she, Puss and Goldilocks destroy the map together. Puss and Kitty rekindle their relationship and along with Perrito, they set sail for new adventures.

Other media

Kitty appears in the Universal Studios Singapore ride, Puss in Boots' Giant Journey, which is based on the second act of Puss in Boots where she and Puss are stealing the golden eggs from the Great Terror.

Kitty appears in The Trident, which takes place before Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and reveals how Puss lost one of his lives. In it, Kitty was after the trident, as was Puss. After she successfully stole it, she reluctantly saves him from being shot out of a cannon by summoning a giant tidal wave. Despite saving Puss' life, he claims he wanted to be shot out the cannon to "revolutionize travel", thus costing him his fifth life.

Kitty is a playable character in the 2023 crossover racing game DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing. She is unlockable after winning the Wishing Star Cup.