10 most loyal anime animals that stayed with their humans till the end

Studio Ghibli popularised the trope of loyal anime animals in the anime world. While most loyal anime animals are seen as pets, some like Totoro and Ponyo become wonderful companions.

Usually, anime emphasizes the themes of empathy and friendship, and this friendship is not limited to humans. It captures the incredible bonds between humans and animals as well. In fact, anime highlights the bond between humans and nature.

Anime pets are an interesting addition to the plot of any anime. While highlighting the bonds between humans and animals, it also makes anime relatable for pet lovers. Most importantly, many such animals stay as loyal companions with their humans. This list has 10 examples of loyal anime animals that fans can look at.

Disclaimer: The following list is not ranked in any particular order and reflects the author's opinion.

From Moro to Megumi's Devine Dogs, 10 most loyal anime animals

1) Moro - Princess Mononoke

Moro and San (one of the most loyal anime animals) (Image via Studio Ghibli)

Be it humans or animals, studio Ghibli characters never disappoint the audience. The 1997 movie Princess Mononoke is famous for its plot based on environmentalism, and animism, with strong echoes of Shintoism and local folklore.

Moro is a 300-year-old wolf spirit living as a mountain dog in the movie. Moro raised the abandoned San as her daughter along with her two biological pups. She protects San with her life, during the confrontation with Eboshi.

Moro and San’s affinity for each other is noteworthy in the movie. It echoes the central theme of the movie. Moro has been highly regarded as a loyal anime animal since then.

2) Happy - Fairy Tail

Happy (one of the most loyal anime animals) (Image via A-1 Pictures)

Natsu named his pet Exceed “Happy” because he brought joy and laughter to everyone around. Happy is one of the main characters in the anime Fairy Tail, and has been Natsu’s companion since childhood.

Happy can fly and carry Natsu around and it is the only form of transportation Natsu can avail (he has motion sickness). Most of Natsu’s fights rely on Happy and Happy does anything and everything to help him and everyone out.

With Happy and Natsu’s friendship and loyalty to each other, Happy can be considered one of the famous loyal anime animals.

3) Akamaru - Naruto

Kiba and Akamaru (one of the most loyal anime animals) (Image via Pierrot)

The whole narrative of Naruto heavily depends on friendship and the value of companionship. Other than the human-human bond, one significant thing the anime shows is the human-animal bond.

Akamaru is Kiba’s pet dog and an essential part of his jutsu. Kiba works with Akamaru to cast various man-beast collaboration ninjutsu. During a fight, Akamaru was mortally injured while trying to save Kiba. Akamaru’s loyalty makes him one of the most famous anime pets.

4) Bond - Spy x Family

Bond from the 2021 anime Spy x Family is one of the most favorite loyal anime animals nowadays. Bond is an incredibly loyal anime pet dog of the makeshift Forger family.

Bond can see premonitions, and since Anya is a telepath, she can read Bond’s mind and take proper measures to stop any mishaps. Bond loves and cares for Anya a lot and is jealous at times. Bond had a rough time during the Project Apple training. Anya adopted him and since then he has been a loyal anime pet to her.

5) Pikachu - Pokemon

Pikachu (one of the most loyal anime animals) (Image via OLM)

Most of us grew up watching the friendship of Ash and Pikachu. Pikachu was Ash’s first Pokemon and has been a loyal companion. Pikachu’s loyalty made him very popular among loyal anime animals.

Unlike other Pokemon, Pikachu doesn’t stay inside a Pokeball but accompanies Ash in his every adventure. Pikachu pushes himself in his every fight to protect Ash, therefore, he is the last Pokemon for Ash to rely upon.

6) Ein - Cowboy Bebop

The 1998 neo-noir anime Cowboy Bebop is famous for its existential and futuristic themes. One of the significant members of the Bebop spaceship is the pet dog Ein. Spike met Ein in one of his bounty-hunting missions.

Ein is extremely intelligent and helps out the gang a lot. He answers the telephone, uses SSW, plays Shogi, and can use the “brain dream” device to hack supercomputers. He becomes especially close to Edward and leaves the crew when she decides to leave.

7) Ranga - That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime

Ranga and Rimuru (one of the loyal anime animals) (Image via Eight Bit)

Ranga is a famous character from the 2018 anime That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime. Ranga is Rimuru’s first non-human subordinate. Ranga is a magical beast and stays inside his master Rimuru’s shadow.

Ranga is shockingly loyal and loving toward Rimuru considering the fact, Rimuru killed his father while defending the Goblin village. He works as Rimuru’s right-hand man and a confidant in the anime. Ranga’ s friendly nature made him very popular among loyal anime animals.

8) Devine Dogs - Jujutsu Kaisen

Devine or Demon Dogs are a pair of twin shikigami that can be summoned through the “ten-shadow technique”. Megumi had them since he developed his cursed ability.

This pair of dogs have been great companions to Megumi and accompanied him till their death. They were a great help throughout the series, mostly in helping identify curse smells and finding routes through domains.

During the mission at Eishu Juvenile Detention Center the white ‘Divine Dog’ died while protecting Megumi. Later, Sukuna summoned the divine dogs without fully manifesting them, but Yorozu killed them. Nonetheless, Divine Dogs were extremely loyal and faithful till the end.

9) Calcifer - Howl's Moving Castle

There are many interesting types of anime pets, however, the coolest one has to be Calcifer. Having an ancient fire demon as a pet is a thing only Howl can pull off.

Howl made Calcifer his pet and used him for nominal work like cooking, to major work like fuelling his castle. However, they shared a deep cordial bond. Calcifer survived because Howl gave his heart to him. Calcifer was close to Sophie too and helped a lot during their endeavor. He is one of the most unique anime pets.

10) Karoo - One Piece

One of the cutest anime pets found in One Piece is Karoo. Karoo has been Nefertari Vivi’s pet since childhood. He accompanied Vivi everywhere and like Happy, he was a mode of transportation.

Karoo was appointed as “Super Spot-Billed Duck Troops”. During Drum Island Arc, he fought alongside Zoro. He even jumped after Zoro to save him. Karoo was a loyal companion who cared not only about Vivi but about others too. Karoo is a memorable anime pet.

Final Thoughts

Portraying unique anime pets is a key feature in the anime world. While showing friendship and affinity, it also adds enjoyable moments to the plot. Sometimes they are loyal companions like Happy or Ein, often they are spies like Hawk from Seven Deadly Sins.

Characters like Totoro, Haku, and Ponyo are loyal anime animals who portray the deep connection between humans and nature. Totoro became so famous that it is the mascot of Studio Ghibli right now.

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Edited by Ameen Fatima