It’s not uncommon for a particular character or creature to become an icon of a popular series, something that has been the subject of many anime series. These mascots are abundant and are often seen throughout the series as well as present in countless items. Some particularly iconic mascots appeared in the showcase for some of the ’90s anime series.
While there are some common traits among recognizable anime mascots, their designs can range from stylized but precise animal depictions to magical or fantasy-sized creatures. lovely size. Some of the best 90s anime mascots combine adorable traits with adorable designs to win the hearts of many fans.
10 Keroberos – Sakura Card Leader
The sealing monster and guardian of The Clow, Keroberos is a winged lion-like creature from the popular magical girl anime Cardcaptor Sakura. Originally there to ensure that all the scattered Clow Cards are returned safely, Keroberos quickly settles into a new life at Sakura Kinomoto’s home after sleeping for so many years.
Despite his small stature, Keroberos is a magical entity of considerable character and serves as Sakura’s sassy companion. Although he possesses a larger and perhaps more imposing form, Kero’s compact form makes him often disguise himself as one of Sakura’s adorable stuffed animals. Aside from Sakura, Kero is one of the most recognizable creatures in this beloved series.
9 Kuroneko – Trigun
Kuroneko is a small black cat with large green eyes that has previously become the symbol of the Trigun series. Although not heavily related to the plot, Kuroneko appears in every episode of the anime (apparently in less serious moments) and in the manga.
Although Kuroneko’s design is relatively simple, this little cat has become an icon in the hearts of members of the fandom. In fact, Kuroneko has appeared on actual items several times since Trigun first aired, so that fans can bring the adorable pet home.
8 Pu – Yu Yu Hakusho
Pu is a blue bird-like creature known as Yusuke’s summoned beast in Yu Yu Hakusho. The summoned beasts are said to reflect the person they were made of, and the little tuft of hair on Pu’s head appears to be one of his many likenesses to Yusuke.
Despite possessing some abilities, such as the ability to fly in both forms, he spends most of the series’ time being carried and loved by Yusuke’s friend, Keiko Yukimura. Later in the series, Pu undergoes a significant transformation that results in his blue phoenix form, signifying the type of reincarnation Yusuke experienced during his fight against the Sensui.
7 Luna – Sailor Moon
Luna is an adorable black cat with the ability to speak and is the instructor of many Sailors in the popular magical girl anime Sailor Moon. She first went to Usagi to explain her role and offer the magic contract the start of the first of many familiar transformations.
Luna definitely plays a guardian in her own right, helping Usagi and her friends navigate this unknown world and better understand their abilities. Along with Usagi Tsukino, Luna is an important character in the series and one of the first characters that fans and newcomers alike may associate with the series.
6 Chopper – One Piece
Tony Tony Chopper is a anthropomorphic reindeer in the One Piece series that is often mistaken for a tanuki. Chopper plays an unexpected role as the doctor of the Straw Hats and has the ability to transform in many different ways. Due to eating Human Fruits as a reindeer, Chopper’s appearance has been altered and in his normal form, he stands on two legs.
His various forms are thanks to the Devil Fruits he ate and some creations of his own. Despite his childlike demeanor, Chopper is a steadfast and reliable ally who is actually the same age as most of the crew. His cute design and lovable personality have made him worshiped as a popular anime mascot to this day.
5 Pikachu – Pokemon
Whether someone is an active Pokémon fan or not, they can recognize Pikachu. The electric mouse Pokémon in this Pokémon series is the iconic companion of protagonist Ash Ketchum. His stubbornness and dislike of Ash at the beginning of the anime quickly subsided thanks to Ash’s selfless actions in helping Pikachu when he was unwell.
Through dozens of seasons and countless adventures, Pikachu continues to be Ash’s loyal friend in the face of unpredictable difficulties. In a series filled with cute creatures, Pikachu remains an iconic ’90s anime mascot through all time.
4 Agumon – Digimon
Although Digimon has multiple seasons, many of the seasons feature new core characters that accompany Digital Monster, one of the most popular in the original series being Augmon. Augmon is a bipedal dinosaur-like creature with the ability to breathe fire and Evolve into adjacent larger T. rex forms.
Working with Taichi Kamiya both on and off the Digital World, Agumon embarks on countless adventures and faces numerous challenges alongside Tai. His looks are representative of the many games, shows, comics and more that the Digimon line saw its success.
3 Ein – Cowboy Bebop
Ein is a genetically modified Welsh Corgi from the ’90s Western Cowboy Bebop. Considered invaluable for the superior intelligence he acquired from laboratory experiments, Ein is sure to became part of the team and spent most of his time throughout the series closely following Ed. His name is thought to be possibly a shortened reference to Albert Einstein, especially due to his intelligent nature.
2 Kodama – Princess Mononoke
Kodama are small humanoid creatures that appear in the Miyazaki film Princess Mononoke. Also known as the children of the forest, these tree spirits are noted by the main characters of the film as inhabitants of the forest of the Forest Gods. These little spirits are intended to signify the overall health of the forest and are often scattered throughout the landscape in many forms.
There’s something endearing about these creatures, especially as they happily roam around the forest in some scenes and seem to almost communicate with each other with gentle head shakes. Needless to say, their iconic design is often found on film commemorative products and serves as one of many symbols of the entire Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki properties.
1 Yakul – Princess Mononoke
Yakul is a cow-like red elk that is Ashitaka’s companion throughout Princess Mononoke. From the very beginning, he was very fond of Ashitaka and played an important role in the success of his journey. Like the kodama, there are plenty of merchandise that celebrate or showcase Yakul’s presence in the film. Yakul’s cute looks, fur, and loyal personality mean he’s a memorable character and is often recognized as part of Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki’s successful line-up.
These anime mascots are extremely important to their respective anime and are another way many fans can connect with a media and help spread the joy of that franchise. Their presence can help attract new fans and can certainly create more interesting moments in the story.
The appeal of a cute creature hasn’t been lost on creators or fans, and these ’90s mascots play a role in helping to keep a series alive until its day. More than anything else, they kept that series alive in the hearts of fans for years to come.
