Jiji – Kiki’s Delivery Service
Kiki’s companion during her training to become a full-fledged witch. Either chatty and sarcastic or cautious and humble depending on if you’ve watched the dub or the sub but we adore both and this faithful feline is one of the most beloved cartoon kitties ever brought to our screens.
Ein – Cowboy Bebop
Also known as a “data dog”, this genetically engineered corgi boasts super-human intelligence that allows him to hack computers, play chess and drive cars. A perfect pairing with the Bebop’s hyperactive hacker, Ed.
Bond Forger – Spy x Family
Formerly known as Subject 8 but later named after the fictional TV superspy ‘Bondman’ when adopted by the Forger family and becoming their beloved pet. But just like the rest of the false family, he hides a secret in his precognitive abilities.
Luna and Artemis – Sailor Moon
This purrfect power couple act as spiritual guides for Usagi and the rest of the Sailor Guardians throughout the series. They’re also aliens from the Planet Mau, thousands of years old and are soulmates. 😻
Pikachu – Pokémon
Ash Ketchum’s Pikachu is perhaps one of the most recognisable characters on this list as he’s been the poster boy of the franchise for nearly 30 years now. As a companion he is fiercely loyal, although we do miss the initial stubborn and sassy yellow mouse from the early anime.
Happy – Fairy Tale
Despite appearances, Happy is not actually a cat but a blue member of the Exceed race who acts as series protagonist Natsu’s best friend and constant traveling companion. He can sprout white feathered wings to fly—again, not a cat, just looks like a cat.
Heen – Howl’s Moving Castle
Another Ghibli alum for the list—while not as prominent as Jiji, Heen fulfills the important archetype of ‘old family dog’. Lazy, shaggy, floppy and sounds like he has asthma, this pooch is Madame Suliman’s loyal companion anyway and we love him for it.
Hawk – The Seven Deadly Sins
Is it a bird? No, it’s the beloved, talking pig companion of Melioda, custodian of the Boar Hat Bar (because he eats all the gross food scraps) and is the comic relief and heart of the group.
Pochita – Chainsaw Man
The fan-favorite Chainsaw Devil and Denji’s best friend in the series. Pochita’s diminished but insanely cute form is how we, and Denji, first meet him—but the two become much closer (heh) as the series goes on and we learn much more about this prickly pooch.
Alexander – Fullmetal Alchemist
Just a lovely doggie, nothing wrong or deeply upsetting here. Keep scrolling.
Brushbuddy – Witch Hat Atelier
The latest addition to the list but a worthy contender, taking clear inspiration form some of Ghibi’s famous fluffy little weirdos. Brushbuddy has a lot going from him, for one, his name rolls off the tongue, he’s also fluffy and most importantly, he’s long.
Megumi Fushiguro’s Shikigami – Jujutsu Kaisen
This may be cheating because Megumi’s Ten Shadows Technique allows him access to ten different furry friends ranging from Divine Dogs and Rabbit Escape to something called Eight-Handled Sword Divergent Sila Divine General Mahoraga (not furry).
Tony Tony Chopper – One Piece
A reindeer that ate the Hito Hito no Mi, a Devil Fruit that allows its user to transform into a human hybrid and eventually becomes the ship doctor of the Straw Hat Pirates. Fun fact, his name Tony comes from “tonakai”, which is the Japanese word for “reindeer”. He’s very cute and he isn’t a raccoon-dog.