NOVELTY - An electrode catalyst comprises a catalyst, a catalyst support, and a polyelectrolyte. The catalyst support consists of a composite carbon material obtained by growing carbon fibers (2) from the surface of a carbon base material (1). The carbon crystal plane in the carbon base material is oriented in parallel with respect to the surface of carbon base material. The carbon crystal plane in the carbon fiber is not oriented in parallel with respect to the surface of carbon fiber. The carbon fiber is subjected to hydrophilic treatment.    USE - Electrode catalyst is used in fuel cells (claimed), such as lithium ion secondary cells, used as power supply of small electronic devices, such as mobile telephones, personal digital assistants, notebook personal computers, and video cameras, and electric scooters.    ADVANTAGE - The electrode catalyst has excellent economical efficiency and provides fuel cells having excellent power-generation characteristics. Catalyst utilization factor and water exhaustibility are improved. Since the catalyst amount is reduced, overvoltage is reduced by reducing the diffused resistor of gas.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An electrode catalyst comprises a catalyst, a catalyst support, and a polyelectrolyte. The catalyst support consists of a composite carbon material obtained by growing carbon fibers (2) from the surface of a carbon base material (1). The carbon crystal plane in the carbon base material is oriented in parallel with respect to the surface of carbon base material. The carbon crystal plane in the carbon fiber is not oriented in parallel with respect to the surface of carbon fiber. The carbon fiber is subjected to hydrophilic treatment. The carbon base material is carbon black, graphitized carbon black, or carbon nanofiber, and the carbon fiber is carbon nanotube or carbon nanofiber. The composite carbon material contains hydrophilic functional groups (10 meq/g or more).    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a schematic view of the catalyst support.    Carbon base material (1)    Carbon fiber (2)