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Jan 05, 2024

10 Best 90's Anime Mascots

These adorable cast members are the best 90's anime mascots of all time, and continue to draw fans to their series – even now. It's not unusual for a specific character or creature to become

These adorable cast members are the best 90's anime mascots of all time, and continue to draw fans to their series – even now.

It's not unusual for a specific character or creature to become emblematic of a popular franchise, something that's become a staple in many long-running anime. These mascots are abundant, and often seen throughout the series and are present in countless pieces of merchandise. Some particularly iconic mascots came about during the introduction of some 90s anime series.

While there are some qualities shared between recognizable anime mascots, their design can range from stylized but accurate portrayals of animals, to fantastic or magical creatures of adorable proportions. Some of the best anime mascots of the 90s combine endearing characteristics with lovable designs to capture the hearts of many fans.

Beast of the Seal and guardian of The Clow, Keroberos is a winged lion-like creature from the popular magical girl anime Cardcaptor Sakura. Initially there to ensure that all the scattered Clow Cards are returned safely, Keroberos is quick to settle into his new life at Sakura Kinomoto's home after sleeping for many, many years.

In spite of his small stature, Keroberos is a magical entity of considerable personality and serves as Sakura's sassy companion. Although he possesses another larger and perhaps more imposing form, Kero's compact configuration lends itself to his frequent masquerading as one of Sakura's adorable stuffed animals. Aside from Sakura, Kero is one of the most recognizable beings from this beloved series.

Kuroneko is a small black cat with large green eyes that has, in the pas, become emblematic of the Trigun series. Despite having little bearing on the plot, Kuroneko appears in every episode of the anime (during less severe moments, it seems) and in the manga.

While Kuroneko's design is relatively simple, the tiny feline has become iconic among members of the fandom. In fact, Kuroneko has appeared on physical merchandise multiple times since Trigun originally aired, letting fans bring the adorable pet home.

Pu is a blue birdlike creature referred to as Yusuke's Sprit Beast in Yu Yu Hakusho. Spirits Beasts are said to reflective of the person they're created from, and the small tuft of hair on Pu's head seems to be one of many little nods to his likeness of Yusuke.

Although he possesses some abilities, like the ability of flight in both forms, he spends much of the series being carried around and doted on by Yusuke's friend, Keiko Yukimura. Later in the series, Pu undergoes a substantial transform that results in his blue phoenix appearance, which is indicative of the sort of rebirth that Yusuke experience in the fight against Sensui.

Luna is an adorable black cat with the ability to speak who serves to guide many of the Sailor Scouts from the well-known magical girl anime Sailor Moon. She first comes to Usagi to explain her role and deliver the magical compact that sets off the first of many familiar transformation sequences.

Luna definitely plays the part of a guardian in her own way, helping Usagi and her friends navigate this unknown world and further understand what they're capable of. Alongside Usagi Tsukino, Luna is an essential figure in the series and one of the first that fans and newbies alike are likely to associate with the series.

Tony Tony Chopper is a humanoid reindeer from the long-running series One Piece who is often mistaken for a tanuki. Chopper plays the unexpected role of the Straw Hat crew's doctor and is capable of many different kinds of transformations. Due to his consumption of the Human Human Fruit when he was a reindeer, Chopper's appearance has been altered and in his common form, he stands on two feet.

His different forms are courtesy of the Devil Fruit he ate, and some creations of his own. Although often childlike in his mannerisms, Chopper is a steadfast and reliable ally who is actually around the same age as most of the crew. His cute design and endearing personality have earned him adoration as a popular anime mascot even to this day.

Whether someone is an active fan of Pokémon or not, they'll likely recognize Pikachu. This electric mouse Pokémon from the Pokémon franchise is main character Ash Ketchum's iconic companion. His stubbornness and dislike of Ash in the beginning of the anime is quickly abated due to Ash's selfless acts to help Pikachu when he is unwell.

Through dozens of seasons and countless adventures, Pikachu continues to be Ash's loyal friend against immeasurable odds. In a series abundant with cute creatures, Pikachu remains an iconic 90s anime mascot through the ages.

Although Digimon has several seasons, many with new core characters distinct Digital Monster companions, one of the most well-known from the original series is Augmon. Augmon is a bipedal dinosaur-like creature with the ability to breathe fire and Digivolve into larger T. rex adjacent forms.

Partnered with Taichi Kamiya both in and out of the Digital World, Agumon embarks on innumerable adventures and faces a great many trials at Tai's side. His likeness is representative of the manifold games, shows, manga and more that the Digimon series sees in its success.

Ein is a genetically engineered "Data Dog" Welsh Corgi from the hit 90s space western Cowboy Bebop. Considered priceless due to the heightened intelligence he obtained from laboratory experiments, Ein inevitably becomes part of the squad and spends most of his time throughout the series trailing alongside Ed. His name is thought to be possibly be a shortened reference to Albert Einstein, especially due to his intelligent nature.

Kodama are little humanoid creatures that appear in the Miyazaki film Princess Mononoke. Also referred to as children of the forest, these tree spirits are noted by the film's main characters as residents in the forest of the Forest Spirit. These small spirits are meant to be indicative of the forests overall health and are generally scattered about the landscape in many shapes in forms.

There's something endearing about the creatures, especially as they wander joyfully throughout the forest in some scenes and seem to almost communicate with their gentle head rattles. Needless to say, their iconic design is often found on merchandise celebrating the film, and serves as one of many symbols of Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki properties as a whole.

Yakul is the bovine-like red elk that is Ashitaka's companion throughout Princess Mononoke. From the beginning, he is shown to be very fond of Ashitaka and crucial to the success of his journey. Much like the kodama, there is a lot of merchandise available celebrating or showing iconography of Yakul's presence in the movie. Yakul's cute appearance, fluffy fur, and loyal personality means that he's a memorable character and is often recognized as part of the successful line of Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki films.

These anime mascots are incredibly important to their respective anime, and are another way that many fans can connect with a piece of media and help spread the joy of that franchise. Their presence can help bring about new fans and can definitely create more delightful moments in the narrative.

The appeal of a cute creature is not lost on creators or fans and these 90s mascots assist in playing the part of keeping a series alive well past its air date. More than anything else, they keep that series alive in the fans hearts for many years to come.

Born and raised in Michigan, Ashley Randolph has worked as a professional writer and editor for several years and has written about a variety of ranging topics. Anime and manga fan all her life, she continues to explore the many vibrant fictional worlds that these (and other genres) bring before her with her trusted feline, Jake, at her side. When she isn't writing, she's captivated by her experiences in any number of video games, television and film, novels, board games, and so much more!