Anne's List: Anime for Animal Lovers

There are a number of reasons that people love animals. Not only can they be cute, but unlike us, they seem to be devoid of all of the malevolence that people bring on each other. Begging at the dinner table aside, animals aren’t as evil, manipulative or dishonest. I’m still a long way from being a crazy cat lady, but here’s some anime for animal lovers:

“Chi’s Sweet Home”. Madhouse, TV Tokyo (2008).

Polar Bear Café (しろくまカフェ)

Avex, Studio Pierrot, TV Tokyo

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Polar Bear Café is a slice-of-life anime featuring personified animals that act like ordinary humans. The café is a place where animals and humans are served by a charismatic Polar bear whose tall tales pair well with his big ego. For some, this easy-going show may be too slow-paced.

Episodes: 50,  24 min. per episode
Aired: Apr 5, 2012 to current
Rating: All Ages

Fruits Basket (フルーツバスケット)

Studio Deen, FUNimation

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This anime is expert-level shoujo: fluffy, heartwarming, and at times tear-jerking. The animals in this series, based on the Chinese zodiac, are quite memorable. This anime lines up with the first 8 volumes of the manga. This means the show is a bit open-ended, but it still a satisfying watch.

Episodes: 26, 24 min. per episode
Aired: Jul 5, 2001 to Dec 27, 2001
Rating: 13+

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Useless Animals / Damekko Doubutsu

(だめっこどうぶつ)

Kids Station, Magic Bus

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In this comedy, Uruno–a useless wolf, is searching for a new place to call home. He eventually encounters “The Useless Forest”, a haven where animals with unusual characteristics cavort. A few of the critters you’ll encounter are a hot-headed rabbit, a nearsighted eagle, a sake-drinking unicorn, and a whale that can’t swim.

Episodes: 26, 5 min. per episode
Aired: Jan 17, 2005 to Feb 21, 2005
Rating: Children

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Zenryoku Usagi (全力ウサギ)

“Give everything you’ve got and be #1!”

Zenryoku Usagi is a show with an adorable cast of hardworking construction-working rabbits. I like how Minarai, one of the main worker rabbits, gets picked on by his foreman. Big boss Oyakata with his majestic mustache is super-cute as well. If you are prone to kawaii-induced nausea, you may still like this one because it appeals to both genders in its humor.

Episodes: 52, 12 min. per episode
Aired: Jan 5, 2008 to Dec 27, 2008
Rating: All Ages

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Oruchuban Ebichu / Ebichu Minds the House

(おるちゅばんエビちゅ)

Gainax, Group TAC, Pioneer LDC

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Ebichu is a devoted pet that can cook, clean, and do the laundry. However, this hamster is also a nuisance pervert that gives unwanted advice. Not to be confused with Hamtaro. An over-the-top ecchi comedy.

Episodes: 24, 8 min. per episode
Aired: Aug 1, 1999 to Oct 1, 1999
Rating: 17+

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Jewelpet Sunshine

(ジュエルペット サンシャイン)

TV Tokyo, Studio Comet, Studio Jack

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A newer incarnation of the Jewelpet franchise, this anime is the 7th circle of cuteness. Jewelpets and humans attend an academy in Jewel Land, a magical place of joy and joyness. After getting past the cover, this anime made me laugh, and had some romantic elements. Not a waste of time. +kind of awesome: The soundtrack includes Steppenwolf, Aerosmith, and the Beatles.

Episodes: 52, 23 min. per episode
Aired: Apr 9, 2011 to Mar 31, 2012
Rating: All Ages

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Cat-Themed Anime:

Cats have so much personality, that they make for very popular protagonists.

Poyopoyo (ポヨポヨ観察日記)

Studio Deen, DAX Production, Dream Creation, Möbius Tone

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Named for his round shape, Poyo is a treasured member of the Sato family. This series of shorts is full of amusing instances to which pet-owners can relate. The opening song is catchy.

Episodes: 52, 3 min. per episode
Aired: Jan 8, 2012 to Dec 30, 2012
Rating: Children

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Nyanpire (にゃんぱいあ)

Gonzo

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This tragic cat is left to fend for himself after becoming a vampire. I wish this anime were longer.

Episodes: 12, 4 min. per episode
Aired: Jul 6, 2011 to Sep 21, 2011
Rating: All Ages

Chi’s Sweet Home (チーズスイートホーム)

Madhouse, TV Tokyo

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Little kitten Chi was a stray. Once adopted, family life brings about cute cat situations. Sequel: Chi’s New Address.

Episodes: 104, 3 min. per episode
Aired: Mar 31, 2008 to Sep 25, 2008
Rating: All Ages

Cat Soup (ねこぢる草)

J.C. Staff

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A cat goes on a journey to save his sister’s soul. Surrealistic with little dialogue. Imaginative, occasionally unsettling imagery. Cat Soup Theater, a series of 1-minute shorts, was also produced.

Episodes: 1 OVA, 32 min.
Aired: Feb 21, 2001
Rating: 17+

Extra Mentions:

Penguindrum (輪るピングドラム)

Brains Base, Mainichi Broadcasting, Sentai Filmworks

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“It’s a story of love, fate, life, death… and Penguins!”-Sentai Filmworks

From the creators of Revolutionary Girl Utena. Similar feel.

Shiba Inuko-san (しばいぬ子さん)

DAX Production, Dream Creation, Hotline

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A light-hearted school anime about a girl that looks like a dog.

Panda-Z : The Robonimation (パンダーゼット)

Bandai Entertainment, Bee Media

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Pandas + robots presented with silent film style dialogue.

Kimba the White Lion (ジャングル大帝)

Mushi Productions, The Right Stuf International, Media Blasters

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The first colorized anime, and a children’s classic. A lion cub protects the jungle, learns from his elders, and helps his friends.

Animal Detectives Kiruminzoo (あにゃまる探偵 キルミンずぅ)

Hal Film Maker, Satelight

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Three sisters find a magical device that can transform them into animals. Cuteness overload.

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Did I miss one of your favorites? Let me know in the comments section.

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