Anime familiars are more than just companions; they are integral characters that bring humor and heart to their stories. These mystical beings, from the wise and protective to the mischievous and endearing, often stand out for their unique abilities, personalities, and deep bonds with their human counterparts.
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Like the loyal and pragmatic Jiji in Kiki’s Delivery Service to the adorable cat, Happy fromFairy Tail, each familiar has a unique personality. They serve various roles, guardians, advisors, friends, and sometimes, comic relief, enriching the plot and providing crucial support during pivotal moments. Let’s explore the best anime familiars that have captured our hearts and imagination.
10Pakkun - Naruto
Ninja Dog Tracker
What Makes Pakkun Special?
Pakkun, fromNaruto, is a unique and intriguing familiar, distinguished as a small, intelligent ninja dog with a calm and pragmatic personality. He is one of Kakashi Hatake’s ninken, known for his advanced tracking skills and ability to speak. Unlike other more physically imposing ninja dogs, Pakkun’s strength lies in his sharp mind and keen sense of smell, making him invaluable in tracking and reconnaissance missions.
Pakkun plays a crucial role in various missions throughout the series, notably assisting Team 7, which includes key characters Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno, under Kakashi’s leadership. Despite his small size, Pakkun commands respect with his intelligence and loyalty, often providing sage advice and insight.
Release Date
Episode Count
Where To Watch
June 10, 2025
Crunchyroll
9Ruth - The Ancient Magus' Bride
Devoted Guardian
The Ancient Magus' Bride
What Makes Ruth Special?
Ruth, from The Ancient Magus' Bride byWit Studio, is a distinctive familiar known as a Church Grim or Black Dog who guards churchyards and protects the spirits within. His story intertwines with Chise Hatori, a young girl with special magical abilities who becomes an apprentice and bride to the magus Elias Ainsworth.
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Ruth’s uniqueness lies in his dual identity. He was once a human named Ulysses, who transformed into a Black Dog to protect his deceased sister’s grave. He forms a powerful bond with Chise, becoming her familiar after she helps him come to terms with his sister’s death. This bond allows them to communicate telepathically with each other.
July 26, 2025
8Kyubey - Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Magical Contract Maker
Puella Magi Madoka Magica
What Makes Kyubey Special?
Kyubey fromPuella Magi Madoka Magicais an enigmatic and controversial familiar, distinct for his emotionless and calculative nature, which starkly contrasts with his cute, cat-like appearance. He approaches young girls, offering them the chance to become magical girls in exchange for granting a single wish.
However, Kyubey’s deals come with a hidden, grim reality. The transformation into a magical girl eventually leads to becoming a witch, an evil entity they initially fight against. He interacts primarily with the protagonist, Madoka Kaname, and her friend, Sayaka Miki, drawing them into a world of magical battles with dire consequences, adding a dark twist to the story.
August 18, 2025
7Mokona Modoki - XXXHolic
Multiverse-Traveling Creature
What Makes Mokona Special?
Mokona Modoki in xxxHolic is a fascinating and multi-dimensional familiar. Mokona is not just a character in xxxHolic but also appears in Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, showcasing CLAMP’s interconnected universe. There are two Mokonas, black and white, created by the powerful space-time witch Yuko Ichihara and wizard Clow Reed. The black Mokona resides in xxxHolic with Yuko.
This Mokona, while appearing as a cute, plush-like creature, possesses extraordinary abilities such as traveling between dimensions, understanding any language, and sensing magical forces. Mokona develops a close bond with the protagonist, Watanuki Kimihiro, aiding him in his supernatural encounters and personal growth.
July 29, 2025
6Jiji - Kiki’s Delivery Service
Loyal Witch’s Companion
Kiki’s Delivery Service
What Makes Jiji Special?
Jiji, from theStudio Ghibli filmKiki’s Delivery Service, is a charming and memorable familiar. He is a black cat and the loyal companion of Kiki, a young witch undergoing her year-long training in a seaside town. Unlike many magical familiars, Jiji has no supernatural abilities. However, his ability to communicate with Kiki adds a special element to the film.
Jiji also provides comic relief with his witty and sometimes sarcastic remarks. There is a notable difference between the Japanese version and the English dub. In the Japanese version, Jiji’s voice becomes inaudible to Kiki as she matures, symbolizing her growing independence. The English version, however, gives Jiji a more talkative personality.
June 28, 2025
5Kirara - InuYasha
Mystical Demon Cat
Inuyasha (2000)
What Makes Kirara Special?
Kirara, from the anime InuYasha, is a unique two-tailed demon cat familiar known for her loyalty and distinctive transformation abilities. Initially small and cute, resembling a kitten, she can transform into a large, fearsome saber-toothed cat-like creature capable of carrying passengers, often used by Sango, a demon slayer, and other members of Inuyasha’s group for transportation.
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Kirara often communicates through expressive sounds rather than speech, adding to her mystical nature. Her long-standing bond with Sango is heartwarming; she has been with him since childhood, serving as a loyal companion through numerous battles and adventures. This deep connection highlights Kirara’s unwavering loyalty and charm as a familiar.
July 26, 2025
4Keroberos - Cardcaptor Sakura
Playful Guardian
Cardcaptor Sakura
What Makes Keroberos Special?
Keroberos, also known as Kero, from Cardcaptor Sakura, is a captivating and distinctive familiar. He is the appointed Guardian of the Clow Cards, magical cards with powerful abilities. Initially appearing as a small, plush-like, winged creature, Kero conceals his true, more formidable lion-like form, reflecting the series' magical and transformative themes.
Keroberos becomes the guide and mentor to Sakura Kinomoto, the series' main character, after she accidentally scatters the Clow Cards and must retrieve them. His unique qualities include magical knowledge and wisdom and a love for video games and sweets, adding a playful and relatable aspect to his character.
August 24, 2025
3Puck - Berserk
Whimsical Elf
What Makes Puck Special?
Puck, from the dark fantasyBerserk, is a small,elf-like beingwith pointy ears known for his whimsical and light-hearted demeanor. Initially, Puck is a wandering sprite who encounters the protagonist, Guts, a formidable swordsman marked by tragedy and burdened with a cursed fate.
Puck offers comic relief filled with humor and mischief, serving as a moral compass and a source of empathy and kindness, traits rare in the harsh reality of Berserk. His ability to sense emotions and use healing magic makes him uniquely useful, though his powers are limited in impact compared to the overwhelming challenges Guts faces.
July 03, 2025
2Kon - Bleach
Comical Mod Soul
Kon fromBleachis not a typical familiar. He is a unique and humorous character known as a Mod Soul or modified soul. Kon’s original purpose was to inhabit and enhance the physical abilities of soulless bodies, part of a covert project known as Project Spearhead. However, Kon’s destiny changes when he crosses paths with the protagonist, Ichigo Kurosaki.
What makes Kon unique is his personality and his situation. Unlike traditional familiars, Kon resides in a stuffed lion plushie, exhibiting exaggerated and often comedic behavior. He is characterized by his perverted nature and deep longing for affection, often leading to humorous situations.
August 03, 2025
1Happy - Fairy Tail
Joyful Cat
Fairy Tail
What Makes Happy Special?
Happy, from Fairy Tail, is a small, blue, winged cat known as an Exceed from the magical world of Edolas. Happy is #1 on this list due to his ability to fly and his ever-optimistic, cheerful demeanor, often saying his catchphrase, ‘Aye Sir!’ Happy is a constant companion to Natsu Dragneel, the main character and a fire-wielding mage of the Fairy Tail guild.
Their bond is heartwarming and humorous, with Happy often providing comic relief through witty remarks and playful teasing, especially regarding Natsu’s motion sickness. Happy was hatched from an egg found by Natsu, making his entrance into the story magical and a beloved familiar in the anime world.
