There is a certain kind of warmth that some anime creatures or companions bring to anime. Most times, the bond forged by this creature and their companion is something worth watching, and somehow, it still leaves more of an echo in our hearts than many human characters.
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To their companions, they represent comfort andunconditional love, and most times, no matter how subtle their sacrifice is, they carry weight in whichever series they find themselves. Hence, for me, they are not just side characters. Here are some of the adorable animal companions we have in anime.
The Yellow Creature That Grew Up With Us
The small yellow creature with rosy cheeks is a representation of loyalty and friendship inPokémon. Watching him grow alongside Ash episode after episode feels special, and his connection with Ash is a powerful emotional touchpoint in the anime for me.
What sets Pikachu apart from other creature companions is how complete he is, with his attitude, instincts, and intelligence without even trying. The scene where Ash returns Pikachu to live freely among his kind, but he returns to Ash, shows that he is not just an adorable companion but a loyal one too.
Adorable But Fierce In His Own Way
Fairy Tail
The creature has a way of softening even the most intense scenes in theFairy Tailseries. He is not just a friend to Natsu but a family to us viewers, too.
Happy is ridiculously cute, with his big eyes, tiny paws, and tail that can’t seem to stop wagging to express himself. He can fly Natsu into battles, stand up to enemies, and has risked his life for his friend many times without thinking twice.
Happy is not just a pet or a sidekick to the protagonist; he is a friend who reminds Natsu to smile and pull back from grief during hard times.
The Great Friend of the Sins
The Seven Deadly Sins
Hawk has always been a great companion of Meliodas and somewhat a part of the Seven Deadly Sins group. He calls himself the captain of the order of scrap disposal, and he is like the comic relief in the group.
In the long run, it was revealed that he was a part of purgatory and a form of surveillance used by the demon king to spy on Meliodas. Even with that, Meliodas did not loathe him for the role he played in the hands of his father.
When Hawk died in purgatory, it angered the Sins and caused Elizabeth to awaken his power. The aftermath of his death shows how much he is loved in the group, and when the Sins realized that he was alive, they were happier than ever.
The Psychic Dog With the Softest Heart
Spy x Family
Bond went through dark experiments that robbed him of his freedom, but somehow still finds a way to trust again. His relationship with Anya Forger is like witnessing a child finally get another sibling.
Bond does not speak, and Anya reads his mind, but they still understand each other perfectly. What makes Bond unforgettable and adorable as a companion is that despite all the cruelty he endured in the past, he still chose gentleness and love.
Hence, in everything Bond does, he always fears losing his new family, and he offers loyalty over and over again, the same way the Forgers love him.
A Devil With The Heart Of A Dog
Chainsaw Man
The tiny dog-like devil always cuddles his companion, Denji, like he is the only home he’s ever known. For his companion,Pochitais the one constant thing in a life full of starvation and death.
When Denji died, Pochita sacrificed his life so his companion could live. He fused with Denji and gave him another chance at life and a means to be part of the Public Safety Division, which later gave him shelter.
Even though Pochita showed up in a few scenes, his fusion made him become a part of Denji forever, just like they were meant to be.
Akamaru is one of the most constant companions among the shinobi in Naruto. He is not called upon with a summoning jutsu, but he has been part of Kiba’s life ever since he was a puppy.
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From the early Chunin Exams to the many missions carried out by Kiba’s team and during the Fourth Great Ninja War, Akamaru was always there. He has great sensory ability and fighting abilities, and he also grew alongside the characters in the show.
He is a loyal dog, and it was something obvious in the series that could be felt every time he fought alongside Kiba.
4Tony Chopper
The Medical Doctor of the Straw Hat
Even though Chopper ate the Human-Human Fruit, could talk, and had great intelligence, he was still a reindeer before he ate adevil fruit. He is part of the Straw Hat pirates and has immense medical expertise that has helped out the crew many times.
Chopper is adorable in all ways, with the way he blushes when someone compliments him, pretending not to care but loving every word. Chopper was embraced as family, and the group did not see him as a monster.
Moreover, if his wanted poster in the series is regarded as the Straw Hats' pet, he is more than that to the crew.
The Whale Who Waited
In the early part of the series, Laboon, a whale, was introduced, ramming his head repeatedly into a wall. This felt odd until his story unfolded, and we felt the pain ingrained in his memory.
Laboon was part of the Rumbar pirates, but because of the dangers on the Grand Line, he was left behind, and the crew promised to return to him. However, the Rumbar pirates never came back, and this hurt Laboon so much because he could not accept the inevitable.
What gets to me the most is not just that Laboon waited for many years for his crew, but he never knew what happened to his crew. With Brook as the only known survivor of the Rumbar pirates, we can’t help but wait for his reunion with Laboon as the series goes on.
A Companion That Symbolizes Home for Aang
Avatar: The Last Airbender
The sky bison is a longtime friend of Aang and a memorable figure inthe Last Airbender series. Aang entered his Avatar state and froze himself with Appa for 100 years to save their lives.
Hence, he is not just Aang’s ride; he was with him during his most crucial time and the last link to Aang’s home, so their connection is irreplaceable. When Appa was kidnapped in the series, Aang almost gave in to rage, which shows how strong their bond is.
As Aang was searching for Appa, so was Appa, who endured being beaten and caged to find his longtime friend.
A Spirit Animal
Puck is very protective of Emilia, the deuteragonist in Re: Zero. He is Emilia’s spirit guardian, and their bond cannot be broken by any external force.
Even in their contract, a part of it stated that Puck would use his power to destroy the world if Emilia should die. Hence, in loops where Emilia died, Puck was seen broken and causing a rampage in the world.
This shows that without Emilia, Puck feels lost. Moreover, in later arcs in the series, when Puck disappeared, so Emilia could grow on her own, it was heartbreaking for both of them.
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