I Didn’t Expect “Anime Rats” to Be This Iconic – But These 7 Proved Me Wrong

I’m starting with Hamsuke because she’s the exact kind of “rodent sidekick” anime does best: loyal, oddly noble, and way more capable than she looks at first glance.

In Overlord, Momonga (Ainz) is building power and alliances, and Hamsuke becomes one of those unexpectedly charming additions. She’s proud, fast, and weirdly invested in her own legacy—like a tiny knight in fluffy form.

Also, I can’t ignore how much I enjoy “unlikely bonds” in anime. I’ve gone down that rabbit hole before, and if you like family dynamics that surprise you, my roundup of anime stepbrothers scratches a similar itch.

Regent is what happens when you take delinquent-anime energy and compress it into a hamster with a dramatic haircut. It’s ridiculous. It’s committed. It works.

I like Regent because he’s the “boss” archetype played totally straight—except he’s also a tiny rodent. That contrast does a lot of heavy lifting, and it’s exactly why he’s memorable.

Ebichu is the sharpest example on this list of “cute design, adult content.” If you go in expecting wholesome hamster antics, you’re going to have a bad time.

But as an iconic rodent character? Ebichu is undeniable. He’s dedicated. He’s persistent. He’s constantly trying to “fix” his owner’s chaotic life… and getting punished for it in ways that are meant to be darkly comedic.

I don’t recommend this one to everyone. I do respect how hard the show commits to the contrast.

Dai is the responsible friend I always want in a magical-girl team: the one who reminds everyone why they’re here when the plot gets distracted by sparkles.

And yes—this is absolutely the kind of show that sits nicely next to other magical girl anime if you like that “cute + mission” formula.

Dai’s charm (for me) is that he’s not just comic relief. He’s the one nudging Leila back toward her responsibilities. I respect a rodent with standards.

Yuki is the emotional heavyweight on this list. He’s not a “rat mascot” in the cute sidekick way—he’s a person carrying years of damage, and the “rat” form is part of a larger curse and identity struggle.

People call him the Prince Charming of Fruits Basket, and sure, I get it. But the rat form is a reminder that his story is about isolation, shame, and slowly letting someone in anyway.

Hamtaro is pure comfort viewing. I can say that with my whole chest.

When I think “kids’ rodent anime done right,” I think of Hamtaro and the Ham-Hams getting into tiny adventures that feel huge to them. That’s the magic. The stakes aren’t world-ending. They’re friendship-ending. Snack-ending. “Will I make it home?” ending.

And honestly? Sometimes I need exactly that.

Is Pikachu a mouse or a rat? The debate I refuse to retire

Okay. I know what the official branding says. I do.

But if you’re asking is Pikachu a mouse or a rat, I’m guessing you had the same childhood brain glitch I had. When I was younger, I fully believed Pikachu was a rat. I wasn’t alone. And the internet has been arguing about it ever since.

If you want to go down the nostalgia rabbit hole, I’ve written about it here: the iconic Pikachu.

I’m including Pikachu because this list is a tribute to popularity, and Pikachu is basically the global ambassador of “small yellow creature that stole the franchise.”

Also, the “rodent-coded mascot” energy is exactly what makes Pikachu work. Expressive face. Big attitude. Unreasonably iconic silhouette. The refusal to evolve. The “I’m not going in the Poké Ball” brand of stubbornness. That’s character.

Anime characters that turn into a rat: why this trope hits harder than it should

When people search anime characters that turn into a rat, they’re usually not searching for slapstick. They’re searching for symbolism.

Transformation into a small animal is an easy way for anime to say, “This person feels powerless,” or “This person is trapped,” or “This person is carrying a secret identity they can’t escape.”

That’s why Yuki (above) stands out so much for me. The rat isn’t just a form. It’s a metaphor that keeps showing up until he finally learns what safety feels like.

Why are rats and rodents so popular in anime?

If you’re asking why are rats and rodents so popular in anime, I think the answer is simple: rodents are visual shortcuts with emotional range.

They can be:

And honestly? I think that versatility is why these “rats” keep popping up—whether they’re literal rats or just rodent-coded icons living rent-free in anime culture.