Best Animal Sidekicks In Anime

Animal sidekicks are a mainstay of some of the best titles in Japanese animation. The most high-profile examples can be seen in iconic titles like Sailor Moon and many works by the legendary Studio Ghibli. These creatures, be they big or small, can occupy several roles, and they can exist not just as companions but also as guides, comic relief, an external conscience, or even a plot MacGuffin.

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Occasionally, they may double up as a secret weapon or carry some aspect that is vital to the story’s narrative and the character’s self-discovery. The number of animal sidekicks in anime is in the hundreds, and their presence spans the decades, so with so many to choose from, a bit of extra guidance may be needed to find the best specimens. Acknowledging this, here are some of the best animal sidekicks in anime.

8

Jiji

Kiki’s Laconic Kitty Is The Perfect Companion

Kiki’s Delivery Service

Release Date

July 29, 1989

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Studio Ghibli films can be recognized by a few key aspects: dynamic female characters, sublime Joe Hisaishi scores, bucolic countrysides, and animal sidekicks. Of these, one of the most famous is Jiji, the perky black cat and erstwhile companion in Kiki’s Delivery Service. Talkative and assertive, he acts as the more cynical foil to Kiki’s open-hearted nature, dropping a witty aside or even barbed comment when the situation requires it.

He also embodies Kiki’s relationship with magic and, by extension, her relationship with herself. When she loses her magical powers in the film’s third act, one casualty is her inability to communicate with Jiji, but by the film’s end, she is less dependent on him, representing her new-found maturity. There’s no need to feel too bad for him, though; by that point, he has found a cat companion and fathered a litter of kittens.

7

Bond Forger

Every Dog Has His Day

Spy x Family

Release Date

April 9, 2022

Directors

Kazuhiro Furuhashi, Takahiro Harada

Writers

Kazuhiro Furuhashi, Ichirō Ōkouchi

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One of the biggest anime hits of recent years is Spy x Family, a mix of cold war thriller, school-based farce, and slice-of-life comedy all about a master spy who must assemble and maintain a fake family as part of a high-profile mission. Little does he know that his adopted daughter Anya is a telepath, and his wife Yor is an assassin. Not only that, but the family dog, Bond, can also see into the future.

Bond Forger, despite his uncanny ability, is a typical dog in many ways; he is a loyal, gentle hound who enjoys playing with Anya and devouring treats in his spare time. However, his special powers come in handy on more than one occasion, not just to avoid Yor’s unintentionally dreadful cooking, but also to detect the threat of danger and notify his owners when their lives are in peril. His huge size means he can hold his own against bad guys, but he is equally happy to devour treats and curl up with Anya.

6

Ein

See You Space Corgi

Cowboy Bebop

Release Date

1998 – 1999

Network

Adult Swim

Showrunner

Shinichirô Watanabe

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One of the greatest anime of all time also features one of the very best animal sidekicks. Cowboy Bebop‘s lovable purebred Welsh Corgi is a “data dog” who combines a delightfully floofy frame with superior, genius-level intellect. He first appears in Episode 2 of the series, “Stray Dog Strut,” in which Spike and Jet are hunting a small-time thief who happens to have a mysterious briefcase. Further investigation uncovers that it is Ein who is the secret cargo.

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After freeing the adorable pooch, the crew of the Bebop must come to terms with a being who combines extreme cuteness with increased brainpower (which is the result of scientific experiments). Ein provides some of the show’s best comedic moments, and the canny canine insertion into the Bebop crew means that he forms a solid bond with Ed. So profound is their connection that Ein ends up joining them when they leave the Bebop at the end of the penultimate episode.

5

Happy

By Name And By Nature

Happy is the small, fish-obsessed blue cat from Fairy Tail, as recognizable to fans of the show as Totoro is to Studio Ghibli aficionados. Mischievous and playful, he also possesses magical abilities and is an indispensable companion to Natsu Dragneel and the rest of the Fairy Tail guild. He comes with a ton of personality, as evidenced by his catchphrase, “Aye, Sir!” and his willingness to lend a hand in even the trickiest of situations.

Balancing his devotion to Natsu with a haphazard crush on fellow Exceed Carla, Happy’s cartoonish exterior hides a fierce devotion to his friends, and he is never one to shirk at the first sign of danger. Most of all, he represents the importance of friendship, bravery, and co-operation in the face of insurmountable odds, making him one of the best animal companions in anime in recent times.

4

Tony Tony Chopper

Reindeer, Doctor, Mascot, And Icon

The Straw Hat Pirates in One Piece rely on one being for their general well-being and upkeep: Tony Tony Chopper. The blue-nosed reindeer obtained special powers after eating the Human-Human Fruit, allowing him to transform from a small, cuddly reindeer and into the formidable muscular beast known as Monster Point. Beastly abilities notwithstanding, he mostly functions as the emotional heart of the Straw Hats, as evidenced by his desire to cure disease and ease suffering.

Chopper embodies the colorful, out-there approach that has made One Piece such a hit. He has a serious obsession with cotton candy, is frequently mistaken for a raccoon (something he actively hates), and he even has his own song. Although he is the closest thing to a child in the Straw Hat crew, he is also loyal and protective when the situation demands it. To paraphrase Shakespeare: “Though he be but little, he is fierce.”

3

Doraemon

A Robot Cat From The Future And National Mascot

Doraemon is ubiquitous in his native Japan; it is very difficult to travel any distance without seeing him pop up in some form, and his efforts as a bridge between Japanese culture and the rest of the world make him less of a cartoon character and more a head of state. Of all the animal sidekicks in anime, he is one of the most venerable, as he has been doing good deeds since his inception in a 1969 manga.

In the lore of the manga – and its anime adaptation, which has spawned several series and films – he was originally sent back in time to help lonely, troubled ten-year-old Nobita Nobi, so that the boy’s descendants could enjoy a better future. The futuristic feline and his trademark four-dimensional pocket symbolize the bright side of technology as a force to help those less fortunate and improve not only their lives but also the lives of those around them.

2

Pikachu

The Face Of The Pokemon Series

What Mickey Mouse is to Disney, Pikachu is to Pokemon. Ash Ketchum’s loyal companion is synonymous not just with Pokemon but is also one of the most recognizable characters in pop culture, and his partnership with Ash is one of the most memorable pairings in anime. The small and yellow mouse-like creature combines playfulness with loyalty, not to mention perseverance when he is battling against other species.

His cute exterior – and iconic “Pika! Pika!” catchphrase – can be deceptive, as the Electric-type Pokemon can also deploy fierce thunderbolt attacks to make short work of opponents. Pikachu is something of a superstar in the world of animal anime sidekicks. As well as being the best-known face in the Pokemon games and anime, he has also made numerous appearances in other media, including the spin-off movie Detective Pikachu.

1

Luna

The Superstar Of Animal Sidekicks

Luna is arguably the best animal sidekick in anime, as she set the precedent that was adopted by so many after her. She is the loyal companion to Usagi in Sailor Moon but occupies a much bigger space. It is her fateful encounter when she is rescued by Usagi in the original anime that sets the plot in motion, and her ability to speak means that she can provide wisdom, guidance, and even the occasional telling off if she thinks Usagi is being lazy or feeling sorry for herself.

Luna’s distinctive look – a small black cat with a crescent moon on her forehead – has made her an iconic part of the Sailor Moon franchise, but she isn’t just window dressing; she’s invaluable in helping the Sailor Scouts and passes on Usagi’s transformation brooch and the Moon Stick. She is the ultimate guide, mentor, companion, and cute character, and the world of Sailor Moon couldn’t exist without her.

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