As you can see from all of the nin-dogs surrounding Kakashi, dogs are known as “man’s best friend” — and as such they’re very well represented in anime and manga from Japan. Here’s a list of some of our all time favorites:

Akamaru from Naruto: As a nin-dog to Kiba, this pooch better be on his best behavior to assist in battles and missions. From his abilities, Akamaru fulfills that just fine!

Antoinette from Ouran High School Host Club: The scenes with this incredible Golden Retriever is few and far between, but with a hyperactive owner like Tamaki, can Antoinette compete? Yes she can!

Black Hayate from Full Metal Alchemist: With an owner like Lt Riza Hawkeye, this popular Japanese owned Shiba Inu pup, better be on his four paws attention!

Shishimaru from Ninja-Hattori-Kun: He functions as Hattori-kun’s nin-dog. Shishimaru is on his best behavior unless certain things happen, a trail of sausage rolls or the appearance of his nin-cat enemy, Kagechiyo!

Soichiro-san from Maison Ikkoku: Named in memory of a dead man, Soichiro is possibly a dumb mutt, but since he brings the inhabitants of Maison Ikkoku companionship can you hold it against him?

Tadakichi-san from Azumaga Daioh: Giving rides to his beloved Chiyo-chan, Tadakichi-san is such a faithful, gentle and patient dog in spite of Mayaa’s territorial claims.

Inu Yasha from Inu Yasha: Though a half-dog demon, Inu Yasha shows off his dog tendencies with Kagome shouting “Sit!” How obedient… ^_^

Gabriel from Ghost in the Shell Innocence: When your owner is a cyborg, expressions and emotions are hard to convey, but with actions from this beagle, it brings color in this reality to another whole new level.

Ein from Cowboy Bebop: Stuck with a crew as lawless as bounty hunters should be, and stuck with a brain as intelligent as a genius. Ein is pretty content with being a pooch for Ed, and a ham to the others.

Heen from Howl’s Moving Castle: Assisting the queen in being a spy is sure hard for this mop, but he finds lasting friendships and love with the inhabitants of the Moving Castle!

Cats, cats, cats… you can be allergic to them in real life, but what about an animated or a drawn version cats, either in the form of mascots or characters? Take a look at this selection of cats, and be prepared to be a gooey puddle at the end. Shown above is Nekobus from My Neighbor Totoro — and here are a few of our other favorites:

President Aria from Aria: From the way he reacts to his environment, enough to melt your heart with his antics.

Maya from Azumaga Daioh: Although Maya threatens so many people around it, just staring at its face, should be a feline dream.

Nyanko-sensei from Natsume’s Book of Friends: Sarcastic-wise cracking fat guardian, definitely something to want to hold and cry cute!

Jiji from Kiki’s Delivery Service: Loyal familiar to Kiki, his wholesome reactions, and tiny body is enough to melt hearts.

Chi from Chi’s Sweet Home: Chi is a kitten, and all things consider as you watch her adventures growing up, it is a definite cute alert! 

Michael from What’s Michael?, an orange American Shorthair tabby cat.

Technically Doraemon is really a robot cat — but still one of our favorites!

These ultra cute bear warm up gloves are USB powered and are being produced by Thanko in Japan. You know at first I though this was a totally silly idea, but today I visited a company where for some odd reason they running the air conditioner in Winter — had they equipped each employee with these gloves and hot chocolate productivity would have risen while improving their office cute quotient.

Found via akihabaranews.com.