Mostly pets and mascot characters are either superfluous to a show or just plain annoying (yes, Kinako from Twin Star Exorcists I am looking at you), however every now and then one of these characters actually does draw you along into the show, or help the plot along significantly, or just lightens the mood and makes you happy to see them. This is my list of my favourite pets and mascot characters.
Feel free to add yours in the comments or to comment on the most annoying pets and mascots (which will definitely be a future list though I’m not sure when).
Please Note – There are spoilers below. You have been warned.
Honourable mentions to Hawk (Seven Deadly Sins), Mokona (Tsubasa Chronicles), Maru (Kimi ni Todoke) and Fuzzy (The Morose Mononokean).
Number 5: Kuro from Ao no Exorcist
You have to admit for a demon cat, Kuro is pretty adorable. And useful in terms of a pet to own. He talks telepathically and can become big enough to ride into battle. Anyway, I’m glad Kuro stuck around for the remainder of the series. He plays an important role in helping the brothers reconnect with their ‘father’s’ memory and that also ultimately helps them get over some of their own relationship baggage.
Number 4: Kon from Bleach
There’s something about a modified soul stuck into the body of a plush lion that just really makes me laugh no matter how many times I watch the episode where Kon first appears in Bleach. Admittedly, after the first season, Kon’s role becomes very much comedic relief he initially plays a reasonable role in allowing Ichigo to transform into a Shinigami and to ensure people didn’t ask why Ichigo kept passing out all over the place. While Kon is at times borderline annoying, just when you would write him off he does something incredibly selfless or touching, or just manages to nail his comedic timing.
Number 3: Happy from Fairy Tail
I think it would be kind of mean to actually imply that Happy is a pet. He’s definitely a character in his own right and quite a cute one at that (sorry, who doesn’t find a flying cat adorable). Whether he is playing the comic relief, the heart of the group, a mode of transportation, or just chiming in with his usual ‘Aye’, Happy lives up to his name and is a great character.
Number 2: Timcanpy from D Gray Man
Whether we are talking Hallow or original, Timcanpy is a great character. Originally belonging to Cross Marion, Timcanpy was given to (left with) Allen Walker after Cross went missing. Timcanpy is silent (unlike every other character on the list) but still manages to convey a lot of personality. More importantly, he shows Allen genuine affection at almost every turn in the anime which is kind of needed given how dark and horrible most of the things are that happen to Allen.
Number 1: Nyanko Sensei from Natsume Yuujinchou
Much like Happy, I’m not sure we can actually call Nyanko a pet (or a mascot) but for a youkai transformed into a maneki-neko he is pretty adorable even as he is fat, self-centred and a little bit of an alcoholic. That said, he is amazingly funny and he does look out for Natsume when it really matters (though he frequently let’s lesser threats just run their course). There is of course the concern that one day he might try to eat Natsume for real, but the longer the show runs the less likely it seems. It really feels like Nyanko Sensei is getting just as much from hanging around with Natsume as Natsume is gaining. Okay, I also included an image of his true form. So this little cutie is my number 1 pet or mascot in an anime (and is hanging off my phone).
I did realise after writing this that three of my five top picks are cats. That’s probably saying something about me but I’m not going to think about it too deeply.
That’s my list. Who or what would you have included on yours?
Since some people already bring up Kerobero, I’ll go with Tetsuya #2 or “Nigoo” from Kuroko no Basuke. Cute little puppy that look like the main character, thus his name, that seems to be on the show just to scare the other main character, Kagami. He doesn’t do much beside being adorable, which is enough for me XD
Not really a pet, but my favorite mascot will always be Bontakun from Full Metal Panic.
Definitely a great mascot character.
Aww, Happy’s so adorable, so much so that Dominic and I have our very own. He’s got a little fish and everything. So cute!
I loved the episode in Fairy Tail (and I haven’t watched too far into Fairy Tail) where they show us how Natsu found the egg that Happy hatched from. It was such a great episode.
That was a beautiful episode. Their friendship is just the sweetest thing.
Really thrilled to see Happy make the list. He’s always been one of my favorite Fairy Tail characters, second only to Erza. Shoot, there’s been more than a few times, Happy saved the day all by his little self.
One honorable mention that I’d toss out is Kilala from Inuyasha. Giant flying demon fox that you can ride that turns into an incredibly cuddly little kit. Kilala was a pretty important and helpful member of the team.
Great list. 🙂
I have to admit, Inuyasha is another of those anime that I just haven’t ever watched much of (right up there with Naruto and Dragon Ball). I’ve seen little bits but not enough to really think of any of the characters when making these lists.
Aww…no love for Dr. Briefs’ cat?
Never been a Dragon Ball fan sothat one not really on my radar.
Ah, I see
I loved Kuro when I watched AnE. I think his entry was when the anime started being really engaging for me. Great list, as always,.
I always look forward to your Tuesday Lists! 😀 I was very excited to see Kuro on here. I recently re-watched it and remembered how much I liked kuro! He’s cute. Also happy to see Happy made the list! 😀
The cats from Flying Witch, Chito and Kenny, are definitely up there as a couple of my favourite pets in anime.
Another cat mascot I’m rather fond of is Hummy from Suite PreCure♪ – she’s my favourite mascot from the entire PreCure franchise.
I also kind of like the cats in March Comes in Like a Lion. Okay, this is becoming a cat post.
Surprised Kyubey wasn’t on this list. Sure he’s not a mascot character in the traditional sense, but he is cute and is the driving force of the plot in Madoka. I think that’s more the reason why I like him: cute exterior but so diabolical inside.
It always bums me out when people mention Mokona but not from his original source material lol. He’s one of my top favorites (the Magic Knight Rayearth version, have never seen the spin off anime) and I’d put Luna from Sailor Moon on my list too, because she’s an iconic childhood character for me. Also Kero from CCS, so cute.
Kyubey didn’t do much for me. I like Madoka and all and Kyubey is a major character but in honesty I just found him a plot device more than a character (and I know a lot of people wil disagree with me on that one).
Luna probably didn’t make the list because I watched Sailor Moon when I was much younger and I see Luna just as a member of the scouts and not as a pet or mascot.
I’ve never actually watched Magic Knight Rayearth but I liked Mokona in Tsubasa Chronicles – other than the squeakiness.
Great list, and really funny pictures that you have included. I really have still so much shows that I haven’t seen yet (I learn something new everyday :))
I concluded Macross Delta last week, as you might have seen on my review, and there was a pretty funny creature in it called a Mercat (which is pretty much a cross between a cat and a sea lion). It offered a lot of comic relief. Unfortunately, I can’t include a picture on this response (annoyingly not 🙁 ) if you Google it, it will show you what it looks like 😀)
That’s kind of weird looking and yet adorable at the same time (okay, I like cats).
Haha, well…in the show it was a pretty annoying character, and with our main hero allergic for it, you can pretty much guess what happened lol 😂😂
This was a great list. I haven’t gotten around to watching Natsume Yuujinchou, so I was caught off guard by Nyanko Sensei’s true form. He is so majestic and imposing!
I probably would have included Ioryogi from Kobato. in my own list. Perhaps Albert Chamomile from Mahou Sensei Negima and Keroboros from CCS, too.
Thanks for sharing!
Nyanko’s true form is impressive but it doesn’t come out all that often. It kind of makes you wonder how little show their would be if he just transformed more often because not a lot actually threatens that.
Ioryogi would be a good choice. Fire breathing stuffed toy… Okay, now I need to rethink my list. Great suggestion.
I’ve actually got a post very similar to this for the Listless List coming sometime this month.
I’m glad Mokona got an honourable mention, he’s by far my personal favourite.
These are some very nice picks!
Looking forward to your list when it comes out. Mokona unfortunately slides into annoyingly squeaky territory too often which is why Mokona didn’t make the list. And the whole third person thing.