Top 50 Animal Sidekicks

[Violentvixen]

It's time for the Top 50 list of animal sidekicks! This one cast a wide net and I really enjoyed the variety of submissions I received, hope you all enjoy seeing our favorite furry/scaly/feathered friends.

To start things off we have a three way tie! I admit to being unfamiliar with all of these so please chime in with any more info.

48 (tie)
Votes: 1 Points: 35 Highest vote: 1 (@Olli )
Cheddar - Brooklyn 99

Cheddar is a Corgi and owned by Captain Raymond Holt who interacts with many members of squad the show follows. I haven't watched the show but Corgis are always a fun breed. Cheddar seems to do quite a lot on the show, I saw a lot of goofy scenes about retrieving odd objects.

Here is a collection of scenes with Cheddar, I had a lot of fun watching these.

48 (tie)
Votes: 1 Points: 35 (@Johnny Unusual )
Gunter- Adventure Time

Gunter is the sidekick to the villain the Ice King but apparently reveals his true form several seasons into the show. I'm glad we have a villain sidekick right at the start, they can be a lot of fun.

48 (tie)
Votes: 1 Points: 35 Highest vote: 1 (@Torzelbaum )
Kodo and Podo, The Beastmaster

Dang that's cute. Torzelbaum provided some background info, I spoiled one bit just in case.
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An adorable pair of ferrets who accompany and assist Dar (the titular Beastmaster) on his quest. They're awfully cute and help Dar with their weasely wiles. They probably weren't the first inspiration for Evil Overlord List item #42 but they are my favorite example of it.

Now let me finish by paying my respects to Kodo who sacrificed his life to save Dar from the main (but not final) villain. Kodo is gone but he lives on through the two ferret kits he had with Podo.​

​

 

[Issun]

This thread is going to murder me with cuteness, I already know.

 

[Olli]

In retrospect, I can't believe they didn't even have a consistent coat for the actors playing Cheddar, and I can't believe I didn't notice

 

[Torzelbaum]

This thread is going to murder me with cuteness, I already know.

Yes but it will be a good death.

 

[Johnny Unusual]

This was a tricky list, especially since many I felt were less sidekick and more friend or pet. It's why I thought of Cheddar but Cheddar, much as I love him, I see him as simply a pet rather than someone who is by his side in the day to day. That said, I included one that is arguable in the same boat (my #6) so who am I to judge.

Gunter is a pick for #1 that surprised me. As much as I like cute things, I'm a little down on animal sidekicks, largely through watching the entire Disney animated canon and finding a lot of them just annoying focus to get kids through exposition scenes. Like, what was even the point of Lucky Cricket in Mulan? But there were enough to make a solid list. Anyway, Gunter kept creeping up the charts and they do a lot of the stuff I like my animal sidekicks to do (interestingly, I remembered Gunter gave birth to a weird cat thing, so I decided to check and the Adventure Time wiki seems to use they/them and he or she, similar to non-animal sidekick BMO, who is referred to by both pronouns at varying times). Gunter is adorable. Gunter is sassy and annoying. Gunter is both very loyal and mischievous. Gunter once almost singlehandedly conquered Ooo (for the sole purpose of breaking bottles, his favourite nasty habit) and was punished with a squirt bottle

Interestingly, a lot of the other penguins are referred to with similar names (Gunther, Ginter, Gunder) but Gunter is the main one. Eventually, in the episode Evergreen, there's a dark backstory behind the name, during the era where the show was not afraid to get very dark. Gunter gets backstory, too, but it somehow never takes away from how much we love this rascally and often (though not always) inscrutable penguin.

 

[Falselogic]

If I had remembered Cheddar he would have been high on my list. Totally forgot about that very good dog.

 

[Violentvixen]

47
Votes: 2 Points: 36 Highest vote: 13 (@Torzelbaum )
Rush - Mega Man franchise​

A very good video game robot dog, Rush gets all sort of cool modifications to help Mega Man on his adventures. Created by Dr. Light in Mega Man 3, Rush has made a ton of appearances and has all sorts of forms. Apparently he and Mega Man can fuse now which is neat too.

Also I have probably played Mega Man the least of anyone on this forum so I'm sure there's infinitely more lore than I could assemble in a bit of research, feel free to discuss!

Torzelbaum:
Fighting for everlasting peace is a tough job but Rush is ready to lend a helping paw* to Mega Man as he combats Dr. Wily and his robot masters (again and again and again).

*Or giant spring.

 

[Torzelbaum]

I am a bit surprised that Rush didn't place higher.

Hey @Violentvixen, were you going to add the points and number of votes that each entry received? That's usually what's done in Top 50s.

 

[WildcatJF]

whoops I forgot about Rush lol. I do like Rush quite a bit, but he just didn't leap to mind when pulling my list together.

 

[Violentvixen]

I am a bit surprised that Rush didn't place higher.

Hey @Violentvixen, were you going to add the points and number of votes that each entry received? That's usually what's done in Top 50s.

Oh yeah, will add those now.

 

[Torzelbaum]

Oh yeah, will add those now.

Thank you.

 

[Kirin]

I also totes forgot about Rush, whoops.

I did have Podo and Koto on my long list before cuts. They're good ferrets.

 

[Violentvixen]

46
Votes: 2 Points: 37 Highest vote: 14 (@Issun )
Angelo - Final Fantasy VIII

Angelo (full name Sant' Angelo di Roma) belongs to Rinoa Heartilly in Final Fantasy VIII and also joins her in battle. I am absolutely delighted that the best known attack is Angelo Cannon, where she jumps on Rinoa's arm and blasts through enemies and somehow does damage and then gets a pet/treat. I can't tell which one but she deserves both.

This video showing Angelo in battle is a delight and I nominate these as some of the best attacks in the Final Fantasy series:

 

[Kirin]

Wow, you know, I’m not sure I’d ever seen Angelo’s Wishing Star attack before. Must be super rare.

Anyway I’m kicking myself because I’m realizing I forgot a whole slew of game doggos that would have made my list. Ah well.

 

[Falselogic]

I dont think I had a single video game animal companion on my list. All cartoons and movies. A big miss by me.

 

[Torzelbaum]

I remembered - Angelo was #21 on my list. She's a good girl who will do what she can to help and defend Rinoa - even if that means being used as a projectile.

 

[Violentvixen]

More video games need dogs balancing things on their noses, that's what I say.

 

[Issun]

A very good dog, and a reminder of a time when Square was not afraid to just get weird.

 

[Violentvixen]

I've always been curious to repeat a Top 50 right after the first list finishes. Everyone always has those "oh no I forgot X" lamentation posts and I'd love to see how much the lists would change after people had their memories jogged.

 

[Violentvixen]

Next up is another three-way tie! I will be out of town starting tomorrow so next update will be Monday or Tuesday, so please enjoy these three to tide you over for the weekend.

43 (tie)
Votes: 2 Points: 39 Highest vote: 16 (@Beta Metroid )
Agro - Shadow of the Colossus

That's some pretty epic official art right there. Agro is the faithful steed of the player character Wander. She* is a black horse with a white marking on her head by default but has unlockable skins which change colouring and markings. In size and speed she's exceptional and can stand up to various enemies and hits from the Colossi. Loyal and responsive, she is a key component to experiencing the world of the game and the emotional impact of the story.

Also this trivia from the Wiki is important:

Petting Agro increases the recovery speed of Wander's health and stamina for a short period of time.​

*While researching this I found a lot of conflicting info. It sounds like the tutorial introduces Agro as male but is considered mistranslated? I think "she" is correct but let me know if not.

43 (tie)
Votes: 2 Points: 39 Highest vote: 12 (@Olli )
Dogmeat - Fallout

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Dogmeat has shown up in multiple Fallout games, joining the player in the wastelands and generally providing support. Keeping Dogmeat alive could be an incredibly challenging activity, but in Fallout 4 Dogmeat cannot be killed which is a fantastic design choice in my opinion.

Also the Fallout 4 version was based on a real German Shepard named River who looks like she was a sweetie.

43 (tie)
Votes: 2 Points: 39 Highest vote: 12 (@Johnny Unusual )
Krypto the Super-Dog

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Krypto the superdog has had many iterations since his first appearance in 1955, but is generally a white dog with a cape or emblem reminiscent of Superman's outfit.

Krypto's powers and communication abilities/intelligence vary based on the iteration, but are usually a subset of Superman's. Sometimes Krypto is an Earth dog exposed to Kryptonite, sometimes Krypto escaped Krypton before it exploded, but the key is that now Krypto is here to help!

 

[Issun]

I... somehow forgot to vote for Agro. What am I doing with my life?

 

[Torzelbaum]

I... somehow forgot to vote for Agro.

What a colossal oversight.

 

[Olli]

Keeping Dogmeat alive is one of those things where you realize you're making things unnecessarily hard for yourself for no benefit, but it's the right thing to do dammit

 

[Johnny Unusual]

 

[jpfriction]

Keeping Dogmeat alive is one of those things where you realize you're making things unnecessarily hard for yourself for no benefit, but it's the right thing to do dammit

After three or four deathclaw related reloads in Fallout 3, Dogmeat got to hang out at home while I went out to shoot people in the face.

 

[Violentvixen]

Got a while before my flight so let's start back up!

42
Votes: 2 Points: 40 Highest vote: 16 (@Lumber Baron )
Daffodil - Spiritfarer

Spiritfarer is one of my top games and having Daffodil the cat around while you control the player character Stella is fun. When Stella is designated the new guide for the dead and is granted the Everlight, Daffodil is granted one as well to share the burden. Stella owned Daffodil during her life and while it's a little vague exactly how long their relationship was it was clearly a strong bond. Some of the other travelers also recognize Daffodil which is a nice touch.

If you have two players, the second controls Daffodil which is nice for a lot of the minigames, but there's more than enough that Daffodil does in the single-player experience so you'll still have him as your partner even if you play the game alone.

There are so many adorable animations of Daffodil. I can't seem to find a screenshot of one of my favourite recurring Daffodil moments, which is that when Stella swims, Daffodil is your typical cat who wants nothing to do with water and balances on top of the Everlight to keep from touching it. When I get back home I'll look for it a bit more or take one myself and get it posted.

 

[WildcatJF]

Damn I forgot Daffodil too. Would definitely had been on my list if I was thinking about Spiritfarer.

 

[Issun]

Damn I forgot Daffodil too. Would definitely had been on my list if I was thinking about Spiritfarer.

 

[jpfriction]

I think I blocked spiritfarer from memory out of self care, had to put it down after a certain sentient mushroom’s play got mixed reviews. Good cat tho.

 

[Violentvixen]

41
Votes: 2 Points: 41 Highest vote: 12 (@Torzelbaum )
Boota - Gurren Lagann

Boota is the pet pigmole of Simon, the protagonist of Gurren Lagann. Friend and comic relief, Boota is a small but helpful companion early in the series. Later on there's quite a change in Boota's form and role but he's still Simon's teammate. Despite the series taking place over decades, Boota does not seem to age or grow much in his pigmole form, which seems to be attributed to his willpower/spiral power.

It also looks like there's a gag that he's actually wearing glasses, but they look exactly the same as his eyes underneath. Good stuff.

Torzelbaum: Spiral Energy doesn't care about how big you are. You can help fight the power even if you're a little pigmole like Boota of Team Gurren. But sometimes doing that can be a real pain in the ass.