Studio Ghibli is credited for popularizing the trope of faithful anime animals in the world of anime. While many of these animals are portrayed as pets, characters like Totoro and Ponyo are known to be exceptional companions.
Anime typically highlights the themes of empathy and friendship, which extend beyond human relationships. It celebrates the remarkable connections between humans and animals, as well as the deep bond between humans and nature.
Anime pets are a captivating addition to any anime’s storyline. By showcasing the strong connections between humans and animals, it adds an element of relatability for pet enthusiasts. Above all, numerous of these animals remain devoted companions to their human counterparts. Presented here are 10 illustrations of faithful anime animals that viewers can admire.
Please note that the list below is not arranged in any specific order and solely represents the views of the author.
10 Most Loyal Anime Animals
Moro – Princess Mononoke
Regardless of whether they are humans or animals, the characters from studio Ghibli always leave the audience satisfied. One of the most well-known films from the studio is Princess Mononoke, released in 1997, which centers around themes of environmentalism, animism, and incorporates elements of Shintoism and local folklore.
In the movie, Moro is a 300-year-old wolf spirit who has taken the form of a mountain dog. She has raised San, an abandoned child, as her own daughter, along with her two biological pups. Moro is fiercely protective of San and puts her own life on the line when they confront Eboshi.
Moro and San’s strong bond is a notable aspect of the movie, reflecting its central theme. Moro has long been praised for being a faithful and beloved anime animal.
2) Happy – Fairy Tail
Natsu chose to call his pet Exceed “Happy” due to the happiness and laughter he brought to those around him. Happy plays a significant role in the anime Fairy Tail and has been Natsu’s lifelong companion.
Happy is able to fly and serve as Natsu’s only means of transportation, as Natsu suffers from motion sickness. In many of Natsu’s battles, Happy plays a crucial role and goes above and beyond to assist him and their friends.
Despite being a relatively lesser-known anime animal, Happy’s unwavering friendship and loyalty towards Natsu make him a standout among other loyal anime animals.
Akamaru – Character from Naruto
The central theme of Naruto is deeply rooted in the importance of friendship and companionship. In addition to the strong connections between humans, the anime also highlights the significant bond between humans and animals.
Akamaru is not only Kiba’s beloved pet dog, but also a crucial element of his jutsu. Together, they perform powerful man-beast collaboration ninjutsu during battles. Unfortunately, Akamaru sustained a life-threatening injury while attempting to protect Kiba. His unwavering loyalty has solidified his reputation as one of the most renowned anime pets.
Bond: Spy x Family
Bond, the beloved anime pet dog from the 2021 anime Spy x Family, has quickly become a fan favorite for his unwavering loyalty. He is a faithful companion to the makeshift Forger family.
Bond possesses the ability to foresee future events, while Anya is gifted with telepathy, enabling her to access Bond’s thoughts and prevent any potential dangers. Bond holds deep affection and concern for Anya, although he occasionally experiences feelings of jealousy. The Project Apple training was a challenging period for Bond, but he found solace in Anya’s care and guidance. From that moment on, he has remained a devoted companion to her.
5) Pikachu is a Pokemon
We all have fond memories of watching the friendship between Ash and Pikachu during our childhood. As Ash’s first Pokemon, Pikachu has remained a faithful companion throughout their adventures. Due to Pikachu’s unwavering loyalty, it has become a beloved figure among dedicated fans of anime animals.
Despite being a Pokemon, Pikachu does not reside inside a Pokeball like most others. Instead, he accompanies Ash on all of his adventures. In every battle, Pikachu gives his all to defend Ash, making him the ultimate source of protection for his trainer.
Ein – Cowboy Bebop
Cowboy Bebop, a neo-noir anime released in 1998, gained recognition for its exploration of existential and futuristic concepts. Ein, the beloved pet dog, is a prominent member of the Bebop spaceship. Spike first encountered Ein during one of his bounty-hunting missions.
Ein is highly intelligent and is a valuable member of the gang. He takes care of answering the phone, using SSW, playing Shogi, and utilizing the “brain dream”device to hack supercomputers. He develops a strong bond with Edward and ultimately decides to leave the crew when she makes the decision to depart.
Ranga – Character from That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
Ranga, a well-known character from the 2018 anime That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, is Rimuru’s first non-human subordinate. As a magical beast, Ranga remains in his master’s shadow at all times.
Despite the fact that Rimuru killed his father while defending the Goblin village, Ranga remains shockingly loyal and loving towards him. As Rimuru’s right-hand man and confidant in the anime, Ranga’s friendly nature has made him incredibly popular among other devoted anime animals.
Divine Dogs – Jujutsu Kaisen
Megumi has possessed the twin shikigami, Devine or Demon Dogs, ever since he first developed his cursed ability. These powerful entities can be summoned through the use of the “ten-shadow technique” .
These two dogs had been wonderful companions to Megumi, remaining by his side until their passing. They proved to be invaluable throughout the series, particularly in detecting curse scents and navigating through dangerous domains.
During the operation at Eishu Juvenile Detention Center, the white ‘Divine Dog’, while shielding Megumi, tragically perished. Subsequently, Sukuna was able to summon the divine dogs in a partially manifested state, but Yorozu was able to eliminate them. Despite this, the Divine Dogs remained fiercely devoted and faithful until their final moments.
Calcifer – Howl’s Moving Castle
While there are numerous fascinating anime pets, Calcifer undoubtedly stands out as the coolest. Howl is the only one capable of owning an ancient fire demon as a pet.
Howl took Calcifer in as his pet and utilized him for various tasks, ranging from simple cooking to more significant responsibilities such as powering his castle. Despite their close bond, Calcifer’s existence was sustained by Howl’s heart, which he had given to him. Calcifer also formed a strong connection with Sophie and proved to be a valuable asset during their journey. It’s safe to say that he is one of the most distinctive anime companions.
Karoo – One Piece
Karoo, a beloved character in One Piece, is known for being one of the most adorable anime pets. Nefertari Vivi has had Karoo as her faithful companion since they were both young. He would accompany Vivi on all her adventures and, similar to Happy, served as a mode of transportation.
Karoo was designated as the “Super Spot-Billed Duck Troops”and fought alongside Zoro during the Drum Island Arc. He showed his loyalty by jumping after Zoro to save him and was a caring companion not only to Vivi, but to others as well. Karoo will always be remembered as a beloved anime pet.
Concluding Remarks
Portraying one-of-a-kind anime pets is a significant aspect of the anime realm. Not only does it display bonds of friendship and connection, but it also introduces delightful moments to the storyline. These creatures can vary from devoted companions like Happy or Ein to undercover agents like Hawk from Seven Deadly Sins.
Totoro, Haku, and Ponyo are beloved anime characters who exemplify the strong bond between humans and nature. Totoro, in particular, has gained immense popularity and is currently the official mascot of Studio Ghibli.
- 10 strongest Curses in Jujutsu Kaisen, Ranked
- 10 most popular anthropomorphic anime characters, ranked
Leave a Reply