The term "monster" is a subjective thing. What does it really mean? Are monsters large, hulking beasts that can tear a person in two? Are they malevolent demons who wait in the shadows to strike? Are they just abstract formations of an alternate, evolutionary pattern? Whatever the case is, anime has found a way to make a bunch of them look cute.
Anime ghosts, demons, and collectable pets are some of the cutest and most marketable characters in all of media, and they can flood any television screen or toy store shelf much more than their more human counterparts. This list will be running down some of the supernaturally kawaii, as it looks at 10 anime monsters that are more cute than terrifying.
10 Pu (Yu Yu Hakusho)
Pu is much more than just another Shonen mascot. In Yu Yu Hakusho, Pu is literally a defining reflection of the main character who can only be as powerful and, for this analysis cute, as long as his master is a total sweetheart.
Pu would actually come from the spirit egg that Yusuke had to take care of, when he tried to get his living body back and would only return during the Dark Tournament Arc. Rather than be a terrifying monster, Pu was a small, adorable bird that would act sweet to everyone around him and even lead others to Yusuke if he were ever in trouble.
9 Sonic (Blood Blockade Battlefront)
While it's unfortunate that he isn't the blue hedgehog that defined an entire video game company, Blood Blockade Battlefront's rendition is steal an adorable little creature. Sonic is a sonic speed money that Femt once infected with a flea that acted as the portal for a powerful demon.
While his plan was to get a member of Libra to ironically kill the innocent monkey and unleash a new terror, Leonardo Watch would see through the ruse and take in the quick monkey as his own pet. From there, Sonic would be a fateful sidekick that would always be by Leo's side and offer his fast-moving assistance whenever necessary.
8 Pikachu (Pokemon)
While children and nostalgic adults have all come to adore Pokemon as time tested mascots, that doesn't stop the fact that, at their heart, they are literally just "pocket monsters." They are powerful, otherwordly beasts that can manipulate the elements, blast laser beams, and cause mass destruction.
However, to look at things from the other side, they are really cute. Perhaps the most quintessential example of this is the series' own Japanese version of Mickey Mouse, Pikachu. Pikachu is the fateful partner to Ash who's offered him and fans plenty of awesome battles, emotional support, and a strong variety of screenshot worthy smiles.
7 Kuro (Blue Exorcist)
While Kuro may look like an ordinary household cat whose owner was going through an anime phase, he is actually a benevolent deity who was once worshiped in Japan and would later act as the trusty guardian to the True Cross Academy.
Kuro would actually take a liking to Rin Okumura and become his familiar. He'd follow him around, sleep on his back, and just do general cat things around him. It's an adorable and familiar site for a creature capable of tearing apart anyone who would dare to take away his catnip wine.
6 Sunako Kirishiki (Shiki)
Vampires are never really good in any story that they've ever been in. While they can often be portrayed as highly articulate and sophisticated beings, the mere fact that they need to consume human blood has made them a feared entity across all media. This is no different for even Sunako Kirishiki.
She was vampire that turned at a really young age and was taken in by an organized group of vampires that would later try to turn an entire, quiet village into their own feeding ground. Sunako, however, isn't all that aggressive of a person. She's a sweet little girl who loves reading and learning and only wishes for the day that she can be accepted into society again.
5 Happy (Fairy Tail)
Happy is part of an elite race of magic creatures known as the Exceed. They are the only creatures in their world who can hold magic within their own bodies and are thus treated like nobility and divine beings for it. However, they feared the day that it became apparent that their own magical abilities were inherently limited, i.e. they can only fly.
This limitation is incredibly apparent in the main mascot of the series, Happy. He is the loyal companion to Natsu who can often be used to make quick saves and fly to other locations. Though he doesn't have much combat ability on his own, Happy is the adorable supporter of the Fairy Tail guild whose constant optimism and fish eating ways are enough to get anyone to rise up.
4 Sadaharu (Gintama)
Gintama is always subverting Shonen expectations. This is no different when it comes to its iconic mascot. Instead of being a small and frail creature, Sadaharu is a massive dog deity whose large size and strength often create mass collateral damage across Edo. However, despite this large demeanor, Sadaharu is still an immensely cute face to consistently greet the Odd Jobs gang when they come back home.
He is the fateful partner to Kagura and is one of the most loyal companions to Sakata Gintoki. Though he may bite his owner's heads, it's only a sweet sign of affection...with his teeth.
3 Keppi (Sarazanmai)
Kappa in anime are kind of a mixed bag. Based on the Japanese lore of a frog-like creature that drags unsuspecting people into ponds, it's kind of hard to make them approachable characters. However, Sarazanmai manages to subvert that image and even its horrifying lore to an adorable and visually stunning degree.
This is most apparent in the kappa deity that guides the series' main heroes. Keppi is a small, bulbous kappa with fluttery eyes whose main job is to turn the main characters into powerful kappa to fight off new threats. He's a great deadpan character and is always good for some interesting rapport with the main cast.
2 Rem (Re:Zero)
Oni are some of the most terrifying creatures in Japanese lore. They are large ogres who travel the Japanese landscapes with large clubs, and they intimidate anyone who may cross them the wrong way.
That terrifying legacy is near barren on the face of one of Re:Zero's dedicated maids and Subaru's loyal sidekick, Rem. While she is a strong oni whose monstrous strength can decimate entire groups, her bright smile has become a guiding force for many anime fans everywhere and is one of the strongest reasons why many are awaiting Season 2.
1 Totoro (My Neighbor Totoro)
Hiyao Miyazaki is a master at creating magical yet approachable creatures that are just as fascinating to examine and look at as they are tangible as a creature within the real world. This is best portrayed by the giant raccoon friend from My Neighbor Totoro, Totoro himself.
His large, round stature only makes him all the more huggable to look at, and his furry body can entice anyone to just dive into him like a bed. With a smile that can melt any heart, there's no question as to why he's adorned store shelves for decades and has become the leading face of Studio Ghibli.