Unleashing the Ultimate Anime Companions: 10 Creatures That Surpass All Expectations

Friendship holds equal strength for an anime protagonist and their companion creature as it does with their human allies. While dogs and cats are often associated with the term "beloved pets," they also play significant roles in anime. Nevertheless, any creature can serve as a faithful companion.

In some cases, the hero keeps this creature as a pet, and it often accompanies them in their endeavors or assists them in their work. Occasionally, these creatures possess sentience, rivaling or surpassing the intelligence of their human counterparts, and become indispensable members of the team. The finest creature companions in anime encompass a diverse range, each perfectly suited to their respective series and hero.

10 Haru - My Roommate Is A Cat

9 Shooter - Durarara!!

Meet Haru, the scrappy little stray who, by chance, becomes one of the best cat companions in anime. Haru's life has been a constant struggle on the streets, just trying to keep herself and her orphaned littermates alive. However, everything changes when she crosses paths with Subaru, her human. As Haru settles into her newfound home, she begins to understand the true meaning of love and care. Subaru may be inexperienced in owning a pet, but his genuine efforts to be a good owner both puzzle and touch Haru. She feels a sense of responsibility towards him, just like an older sibling would. When Subaru gets caught up in his busy life and forgets to eat, Haru persistently stays by his side until he finally nourishes himself. The impact of Haru's presence is so profound that the spirits of Subaru's deceased parents appear to personally express their gratitude to her. Remember to keep the

9 Shooter - Durarara!!

intact.

Although it may appear as an ordinary motorcycle, Shooter actually embodies the spirit of death, much like the legendary dullahan called Celty. In the past, Shooter was a supernatural creation born from Celty's fusion of a deceased horse and a wrecked carriage. With Shooter as her trusty companion, Celty would traverse the countryside, forewarning humans of their impending doom.

8 Yakul - Princess Mononoke

In Ikebukuro, Shooter has acclimated to contemporary preferences. Serving as a sleek black motorcycle, Celty can not only navigate the streets with greater speed than police bikes, but also engage in combat, effortlessly striking down adversaries with the efficacy of a horse's hooves. Shooter can also transform into a horse-drawn carriage when necessary, as exemplified by Celty providing Mikado and Anri with transportation.

Yakul, one of the awe-inspiring and enchanting beings in Princess Mononoke, defies the odds and remains unyielding. This crimson elk steadfastly supports his companion, Ashitaka, as they traverse Japan, undeterred by daunting battlefields or towering demons.

7 Bond - Spy x Family

While he lacks the ability to communicate vocally, his unwavering devotion to Ashitaka mirrors the deep affection San’s wolf siblings have for her. Even in times of distress and unconsciousness, he remains faithfully by Ashitaka's side. San's initial reluctance towards him begins to thaw thanks to Yakul's favorable testimony. It is strongly suggested that Yakul possesses superior intelligence or heightened instincts compared to other animals, as he instinctively understands the potential danger of trespassing on the Deer God’s sacred territory.

Bond seamlessly integrates into the Forger family, effortlessly becoming one of the most treasured canine companions in the world of anime. Resembling a majestic Great Pyrenees, this adorable creature has a haunting past, having been subjected to atrocious military experiments and subsequently purchased by terrorists for explosive detection duties. Prior to finding his forever home with the Forger family, Bond endured relentless mistreatment at the hands of those who controlled his leash. Consequently, he is filled with an overwhelming desire to reciprocate his new family's affection and devotion with unwavering loyalty.

Bond, despite being a dog with a limited canine perspective, possesses both remarkable intelligence and the extraordinary ability to foresee future events. Similarly, like the telepathic Anya, Bond's powers often face obstacles due to his dog-centric comprehension of the world. Although he would rather lounge on the living room floor, he remains ever prepared to rescue Anya from peril and assist Loid in espionage missions (all while avoiding Yor's questionable cooking).

6 Xiao Mei - Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

In the realm of anime, Black Hayate stands out as one of the top canine companions. However, in this particular show, there is another remarkable dog that falls into a completely different category. Xiao Mei, May Chang's beloved pet panda, also serves as a capable and loyal companion for the heroes. Rescued when she was just a tiny cub, Xiao Mei is nurtured with love by May and becomes her only companion as they embark on their desert journey.

Xiao Mei embodies her name by behaving like a little sister. She frequently perches on May Chang's shoulder, imitating her actions. Although she may not possess the same level of proficiency in martial arts, she fiercely defends herself and May by sinking her teeth into anyone she perceives as a threat. Additionally, Xiao Mei exhibits proficiency in alkahestry, employing it to remedy wounds.

5 Tony Tony Chopper - One Piece

Despite his small reward, Chopper is a valuable member of his crew, just like his human counterparts. The reindeer herd rejected him because of his blue nose, a common occurrence among reindeer. After consuming the Devil Fruit and gaining intelligence, both humans and reindeer rejected him. Only the doctors who taught him medicine demonstrated any compassion.

4 Shikigami - Jujutsu Kaisen

Initially, Chopper grapples with feelings of insecurity regarding his identity as a highly intelligent creature, prompting him to exert considerable effort in emulating human behavior. However, he eventually embraces his role as a formidable "monster" capable of supporting Luffy and the rest of the crew. Chopper's contributions are invaluable: as a proficient and dedicated physician, he tends to their medical needs, and his invention, the Rumble Balls, enables him to assume his Monster Form and provide additional assistance during battles.

In the realm of sorcery, both witches and sorcerers have long relied on the assistance of animal familiars to assist in their tasks. This tradition is no different for Jujutsu sorcerers, who possess the unique ability to summon shikigami into battle. By harnessing sufficient cursed energy and utilizing the appropriate talisman, these sorcerers can call upon a diverse range of creatures to aid them. Although shikigami users are primarily recognized for their prowess in long-range combat and may appear vulnerable in close-quarter skirmishes, the assortment of summonable creatures more than compensates for this limitation.

Thanks to his Zen’in blood, Megumi Fushiguro possesses the unique ability known as the Ten Shadows Technique. Unlike regular sorcerers who can only summon one shikigami, Megumi is capable of summoning up to ten shikigami simultaneously. This exceptional skill grants him the power to manipulate various elements and summon different types of creatures all at once. However, among all his summoned entities, Megumi has a preference for his Divine Dogs, a pair of fierce wolves who fiercely engage in battle while remaining loyal and amicable towards Megumi and his comrades.

3 Foo Fighters - JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure

Despite their small size, plankton are living organisms. The zooplankton making up the Foo Fighters initially emerge as basic creatures that acquire a Stand ability, taking over the deceased body of a prisoner to adopt a human appearance. However, thanks to Jolyne's teachings on loyalty and friendship, they ultimately form strong bonds and develop genuine camaraderie.

While Foo Fighters' unique physiological structure necessitates a constant supply of fluids for their survival, it also grants them the ability to launch offensive maneuvers, absorb damage, and expedite the healing process for themselves and others. Once exposed to the richness of human individuality, they fiercely protect their own identity, becoming incensed when their name is disregarded. Upon sacrificing themselves to save Jolyne, they implore her not to revive them, as whatever entity is resurrected with the disc will be a distinct incarnation of Foo Fighters rather than the original.

2 Pokémon - Pokémon

As the pioneers of the contemporary phenomenon of creature companions, Pokémon continues to captivate audiences with its vibrant and adored characters. This anime series holds the impressive distinction of being one of the longest-running in history. At the heart of its enduring appeal lies the unbreakable bond between humans and Pokémon, which ensures the harmonious functioning of their world. Whenever this delicate balance is jeopardized by the actions of a villain, whether they be human or Pokémon, it is the joint forces of human-Pokémon teams that step in to restore tranquility and harmony.

Many other shows followed the same formula of having young protagonists with personalized creature companions. Some examples include Digimon, Bakugan, and even the slightly darker Narutaru. However, Pokémon still stands as the ultimate classic: with its vast selection of different creatures to admire and befriend, there's a Pokémon for everyone. These creatures not only compete with Trainers and Coordinators, but also assist their human companions with various tasks and simply exist as friends alongside them.

1 Akamaru - Naruto

The Inuzuka clan's dogs in Naruto are unrivaled when it comes to animal companions. These loyal canines are always by their humans' side, inseparable and devoted. They are not just faithful friends, but also indispensable allies in combat.

Kiba's attacks, like those of his family, rely on his collaboration with Akamaru. Utilizing Akamaru's extraordinary sense of smell, Kiba directs his dog to track down targets, while Akamaru transforms into a clone of Kiba to execute joint attacks. Together, they possess an undeniable strength. In their earlier days, Kiba allowed Akamaru to ride in his hood, symbolizing their deep bond. As they grew older, Akamaru reciprocated the gesture by allowing Kiba to ride him like a horse. In anime, it is commonplace for heroes to form connections with various creatures throughout their journeys. These extraordinary companions, with their unique abilities and unwavering loyalty, are as valuable as any human best friend.