Top 15 Anime Every Pet Lover Needs to Watch
If you've ever looked into your pet's eyes and thought, "I wonder what they're thinking about," — well, you might already be an animal otaku without even knowing it.
At Otaku Paws, we sit at the intersection of anime fandom and deep love for animals. And one thing we've learned? Anime has been celebrating that bond for decades. Long before "pet content" took over the internet, animators were pouring their hearts into stories about the unbreakable connection between humans and the animals they love.
So whether you're a lifelong anime fan or someone whose only frame of reference is Studio Ghibli movies — this list is for you.
🐾 The List: 15 Anime Every Pet Lover Needs to Watch
1. My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Let's start with the one you've probably already seen — because it absolutely belongs here. Totoro isn't technically a "pet," but he's one of the most iconic animal companions in all of anime history. Warm, gentle, and utterly magical, this Studio Ghibli classic set the gold standard for what a bond between a child and a creature can feel like. If this movie doesn't make your heart swell, we need to talk.
2. Chi's Sweet Home (2008)
This one is basically a documentary if you've ever raised a kitten. Chi is an adorable little tabby who gets separated from her mother and adopted by a family — and every single episode captures the chaos, the tenderness, and the completely irrational joy of living with a cat. Short episodes, zero filler, maximum cuteness. This is comfort food in anime form.
3. A Dog of Flanders (1975)
We'll warn you now: keep tissues nearby. Based on the classic novel, this series follows young Nello and his loyal dog Patrasche through a life that is full of beauty and heartbreak in equal measure. If you've ever loved a dog with your whole heart, this one will reach right into your chest. It's old, it's slow by modern standards, and it is absolutely worth every minute.
4. Natsume's Book of Friends (Natsume Yūjin-chō) (2008)
This gem is a little different — it's about spirits, not pets — but the emotional core is pure animal lover energy. Natsume, a boy who can see supernatural beings, travels through rural Japan with a spirit who takes the form of a chubby, grumpy, hilarious cat named Nyanko-sensei. The series is quiet and deeply moving, with an underlying message about kindness, loneliness, and belonging. Nyanko-sensei alone is worth the watch.
5. Hamtaro (2000)
Okay, we're lightening the mood. Hamtaro is a cheerful little hamster with a gang of friends called the Ham-Hams, and the whole series is essentially wholesome chaos in 12-minute episodes. If you ever owned a hamster and spent way too long watching it run on its wheel, this one is going to feel very personal. Absolutely a kids' show. Absolutely still charming as an adult.
This film is one our favorites and we even had a hamster of our own. We were thinking of a good name for our pet hamster but simply out of the blue, we started calling him "Hamsta Gangsta", being a male hamster. However, our "Hamsta Gangsta" had passed away and in tribute, we thought we'd design a tshirt for him. Here is what we came up with. Let us know of you what you think in the comments below.
See more unique tshirts here.
6. Silver Fang (Ginga: Nagareboshi Gin) (1986)
This is anime for people who think their dog has the soul of a warrior — and honestly, aren't they right? Silver Fang follows Gin, a young Akita pup on an epic quest through the mountains of Japan. It's dramatic, it's intense, and it has no business being as emotionally gripping as it is. If you love dogs and you love adventure, this is your show.
7. One Piece (ongoing) — the animals of the Grand Line
Hear us out. One Piece isn't an "animal anime," but over its massive run, it has introduced some of the most creative and lovable animal companions in the medium. From Tony Tony Chopper (a reindeer who ate a Devil Fruit and became part of the crew) to the various fantastical creatures of the Grand Line — the series has a genuine love for animals woven throughout. Plus, Chopper is one of the most beloved characters in anime history. Enough said.
8. Kemono Friends (2017)
What if animals were people, but still kind of animals? Kemono Friends is set in a theme park called Japari Park, where "Friends" — humanoid versions of real animals — live together in various biomes. It sounds strange. It absolutely is strange. But it's also surprisingly educational, deeply wholesome, and quietly emotional in ways that sneak up on you. Great for anyone who has strong feelings about animals they'll never be able to own.
9. Wolf Children (2012)
One of the most beautiful films on this list. A young woman falls in love with a man who can transform into a wolf, and together they have two children — who inherit his ability. After tragedy strikes, she raises them alone, navigating the question of whether they'll live as humans or wolves. It's a film about parenthood, about nature, and about letting the ones you love become who they're meant to be. Bring tissues. No, more than that.
10. The Cat Returns (2002)
Another Studio Ghibli entry, and this one is pure delight. A girl saves a cat from being hit by a car — only to discover the cat is a prince, and his father (the Cat King) wants to repay her by pulling her into the Cat Kingdom forever. It's whimsical, fast-paced, and completely charming. If you're a cat person, this movie was made specifically for you.
11. Polar Bear Café (Shirokuma Cafe) (2012)
A polar bear runs a café. A panda is a regular customer. A penguin works there. The humor is dry, the pacing is leisurely, and the whole thing is absolutely delightful. Polar Bear Café is the kind of anime you watch when you want to feel like the world is a gentle, funny place full of animals just trying to figure out their daily routines. It never gets old.
12. Inuyasha (2000)
Yes, there's action. Yes, there's a love story that spans centuries. But at its heart, Inuyasha is about a half-demon, half-human dog spirit, and if you are a dog person, you will feel a very specific type of affection for his ears, his loyalty, and his complete inability to just say how he feels. He's basically a rescue dog who pretends he doesn't need anyone. We see you, Inuyasha.
13. Odd Taxi (2021)
A walrus taxi driver. A world populated entirely by anthropomorphic animals. A murder mystery that unfolds through conversations between strangers in the back of a cab. Odd Taxi is one of the most inventive anime of the last decade — a slow-burn thriller wrapped in an animal costume. It rewards patient viewers with one of the most satisfying endings in recent memory.
14. Aggretsuko (2018)
A red panda who works a soul-crushing office job and secretly screams death metal into a microphone to cope. If you know, you know. Aggretsuko is funny, painfully relatable, and genuinely thoughtful about modern work culture. It also happens to feature one of the most lovable animal protagonists in anime — one who is deeply flawed, deeply tired, and doing her absolute best. We celebrate her.
15. Princess Mononoke (1997)
We close with one of the greatest films ever made — animated or otherwise. Princess Mononoke is a breathtaking story about the conflict between the natural world and human civilization, told through a young warrior, a girl raised by wolves, and a cast of animal gods who are slowly losing the world they once ruled. It is fierce, beautiful, heartbreaking, and ultimately about the question of whether humans and nature can ever truly coexist. Every person who loves animals should watch this film at least once.
Final Thoughts
What strikes us about this list is how much anime has always understood something that pet lovers already know instinctively: animals aren't just background characters in our lives. They're companions and they show us something about what it means to be alive.
Have an anime we missed? We want to hear it. Drop us a message and tell us your favorite animal story from the world of anime.