Otaku Digest: Top 5 Animal Companions
Well this is an interesting turn of events, we all know the anime broadcast seasons can vary but in terms of the winter season it has been a shorter season in the way of new series but we have had some amazing entries in there. Now I have come to the point where we have waded through these and I am playing an epic game of catch up on the series I enjoyed and fear not there will be some reviews appearing here to see if they held up over time. For this week I decided to take a step back and have a look at a major aspect of anime – the animal or generic furry companion. I am limiting this to animal companion because there are un-animated companions, robotic and human companions but that is a list for another day and I am willing to admit as a Magical Girl fanatic it does sway my decision but on the other hand companions are a key component of the genre so they are mainly there anyway. Obviously disclaimer – this is MY top 5 animal companions, it is my top 5 companions and there is also a spoiler alert here in case you may not have seen them, with that lets jump into the top 5 anime companions.
#5 Luna and Artemis – Sailor Moon
It is no shock that these two make it onto this list considering when anyone thinks of the genre or anime companions these are the poster child for it, they are some of the original companion’s in particular magical girl companions. For anyone who has not heard of these two, Luna and Artemis are the cat companions of the sailor scouts in the fan-favorite anime series Sailor Moon, used as guides for the scouts when they first begin to awaken in their future selves. We meet Luna in the first episode where she meets main protagonist Serena and helps her awaken her powers as Sailor Moon where Artemis behind the scenes is doing the same with Sailor Venus. As with most companions after their initial mission they become more than useless and full of unwanted information, this is a usual trope with companions that really they do not do much and Luna and Artemis fall into this trope completely as they become more and more like damsels in distress rather than companions as they series go on which is why they fall into the number 5 slot, the originals but the least helpful.
#4 Cerberus – Cardcaptor Sakura
I did warn you there would be a few magical girl references in here but in reality Cerberus or as most people will know him Kero he is one of the ultimate companions since he doesn’t become completely useless after the first couple of episodes even if he is a cuddly bear at the time. He does genuinely help Sakura with her powers as he knows the history of each card she must capture so he is helpful in his knowledge even if physically he is useless. It is even a part of the narrative in both the manga and the anime series itself that Kero should be able to help more but his powers are as lost as the cards and when Sakura unites all the cards Cerberus will be able to take his original form and be even more useful to Sakura, I would recommend reading the manga if you want the full Cardcaptor Sakura story. Why you ask is he so low on the list? My reasoning behind this is I feel he is used far too often for comic relief especially in the anime, he isn’t utilised enough and also looking back on him and looking at companions now he is outdated but for the time he was top notch. Cerberus proudly takes the number 4 slot.
#3 Ryo-Ohki – Tenchi Muyo!/Universe/Tokyo
This is a character that until I tried to make this list I had forgotten about to a degree, mainly because I have not heard someone talk about these shows in a very long time but once I started considering her for this list I could not but put her on here. Interesting enough she is the only companion on here that does not speak (except as Pretty Sammy in Universe) taking a weird turn since all the rest do. Now for anyone who did not see this show Ryo-Ohki is from the metashow title of Tenchi Muyo! She is the creation of scientist Washu, actually created to be the companion of her other diabolic creation Ryoko as well as be her spaceship, yes you heard Ryo-Ohki can transform into a spaceship as well as be a cat rabbit hybrid creature and transform into a little girl type thing. She helps Ryoko to conquer universes and destroy planets making her an infamous legend throughout the universe, making her child like mind and cute exterior as a cabbit even more shocking to those who come across her even more shocking. She is ranked third here because she may not be able to speak and may have the mind of a child but when push comes to shove she takes her ship forms and can kick some major galactic ass.
#2 EVERY digimon EVER – digimon
What? Yes I cheated but I feel there is justification to this and not just that I binged the whole original digimon recently. Okay, first off the obvious, why not pokémon and why digimon? Pokémon, yes, are amazing companions and yes you can have more than one but the issue I have is you choose your pokémon and capture them where other than this there is no connection between the two. Digimon on the other hand is a connection between one digimon and one digi-destined through trust, friendship and kindness between the two, it is a genuine connection that brings them together, if you disagree let me know but I think it cannot be disputed that digimon range as far better companions. If I had to pick a favourite I would never be able to decide between Patamon and Gatomon, Patamon literally sacrifices himself for T.K and the others while yes Gatomon was originally evil she grows to love Kari and we see her vulnerable side when her bestie Wizardmon is killed. Digimon, the best friend you will ever have takes second place.
#1 Kyubey
The companion that has changed the face of all magical girl and even generic anime companions forever, Kyubey from Puella Magi Madoka Magica. This little guy is probably one of the most terrifying ideas of an anime companion, the usual cute exterior that masks an inside of complete darkness. I did warn about spoilers and it was mainly for here, where most magical girl companions are there to help the girl discover and become accustomed to their new way of life as a magical girl, Kyubey literally creates them. He specifically sources girls to sign a contract with him to become a magical girl and they get a wish in return, now the type of girls he tracks are always in some dyer situation when he gets to sign and their wishes never go the way they want. He creates this beautiful adventure of what they could be all fighting evil and saving the world but there is no mention from him the danger of what they become, Kyubey is the ultimate con artist. Taking what we knew about the cute anime companion and tearing it a new one, Kyubey takes the top spot and really wouldn’t you like to sign a contract?
