Summary
Summoners and their familiars in the anime have a deeper bond than regular companions, sharing a unique connection that goes beyond friendship. Familiars often possess traits that complement those of their summoner, making them more versatile warriors and giving them the upper hand in any situation. The best anime summoners are equipped with powerful familiars, but they develop a bond that goes much further than their effectiveness in battle.
The best anime summons are also some of the most interesting characters, as their identities are often tied to those of their acquaintances. While some may look down on them for not relying on their own strength, summoning teammates to fight often makes them more agile, more flexible, easily finding ways to gain the upper hand in any situation. situation.
Whether they resemble their owners or complement them by possessing traits they lack, familiars also tend to be more complex and intriguing than normal companions. Most companions are more like pets, tagging along with the party out of loyalty, but familiars often share a much deeper bond with their summoner, going beyond casual friendship. often.
10 Kiritsugu Emiya – Saber (Fate/Zero)
Based on the Light Novel by Gen Urobuchi
Year of release
2011
Episodes
25
Where to stream it
Netflix, Funimation, Crunchyroll, Hulu
The world of the ever-expanding Fate series is defined by the Holy Grail Wars, ruthless survival games that take place regularly and whose participants are motivated by the promise of having any wish granted. To achieve this purpose, The seven Masters and their summoned Servants engage in deadly battles, each person fights for a different purpose. While each participant is interesting in their own way, the most iconic pairing has to be Kiritsugu Emiya, a “Magician Assassin” hired by the Einzbern family, and Saber, or Artoria Pendragon, also known “Future King”. The two make an extremely strong team, bound together by a common goal.
9 Jotaro Kujo – Star Platinum (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders)
Based on the Manga by Hirohiko Araki
Year of release
2014
Episodes
48
Where to stream it
Netflix, Funimation, Crunchyroll, Hulu
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders is the first title in the series to introduce the concept of Stands, one of the best and most engaging anime power systems ever. The show follows Jotaro Kujo and his crew as they journey to Cairo, Egypt, facing dangerous Stand users along the way. However, they rarely pose a serious threat to Jotaro, because His own Stand, Star Platinum, is one of the strongest Stands in the series. Not only is it extremely strong and fast, but it also awakens the ability to freeze time, with Jotaro being the only one who can move freely, easily gaining the upper hand in any fight. While not exactly a “summoner familiar” dynamic, Jotaro and Star Platinum are so iconic that they deserve a spot on this list.
8 Yuna – Kumakyuu & Kumayuru (Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear)
Based on the Light Novel by Kumanano & 029
Year of release
2020
Episodes
24
Where to stream it
Animation, Crunchyroll, Hulu
Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear revolves around Yuna, a girl who finds herself transported to a magical world in the game after accepting a bear costume she received from the administrator of the VRMMO she was frantically playing. She soon learns that her bear costume has extraordinary powers, allowing her to defeat even the strongest enemies with ease. After defeating the Goblin King, she also gained the ability to summon Kumakyuu, or Hugging Bear, and Kumayuru, the Swaying Bear, Two acquaintances helped her travel more conveniently and threatened the robbers. What’s more, they can change size as needed, although they’re still adorable at any size.
7 Louise Françoise Le Blanc de La Vallière – Saito Hiraga (Zero’s Acquaintance)
Based on the Light Novel by Noboru Yamaguchi & Eiji Usatsuka
Year of release
2006
Episodes
49
Where to stream it
YouTube
While most Demonic Beasts exist solely for the benefit of their summoners, Zero’s Heirlooms overlap with common isekai themes, making Saito Hiraga a special case. Before being summoned by Louise, Saito was an ordinary student from Tokyo, Japan, who could never have imagined that his life would be changed by a mysterious gate. However, when Louise, a void mage, summons him, he suddenly finds himself at Tristain Magic Academy, which he initially assumes is some kind of cosplay convention. Was expecting a completely different familiar spirit, such as a falcon, even Louise is surprised to meet him, but the two gradually accept and care for each other.. This series offers an interesting perspective on both the concept of summoning and the isekai metaphor.
6 Yuu Narukami – Izanagi (Persona 4 The Animation)
Based on the Manga by Shuji Sogabe
Year of release
2011
Episodes
25
Where to stream it
Hulu
While Persona 4 the Animation may not be a perfect adaptation of the Persona games, it’s still a very enjoyable show. The story follows Yuu Narukami, as he moves to the town of Inaba and encounters more strange things than he expected, being pulled into a mysterious alternate reality with this new group of friends. symbol of the franchise, Everyone in the group has their own unique Personaand Yuu’s iconic familiar is Izanagi, based on the Japanese god of creation of the same name. Although he can also take advantage of others, Izanagi was his first, and the one who allowed Yuu to awaken the power within.
5 Tsuchimikado Tsuchimikado – Hokuto (Tokyo Crow)
Based on the Light Novel by Kouhei Azano & Sumihey
Year of release
two thousand and thirteen
Episodes
24
Where to stream it
Animation, Crunchyroll, Hulu
The events of Tokyo Ravens take place in a world defined by onmyoudou magic, which Japan used during World War II to gain an advantage over its opponents. However, after the “Great Spiritual Disaster”, onymoudou was improved for use in medicine and technology, to prevent similar spiritual disasters. Tsuchimikado Tsuchimikado is one of the best onmyouji studying at the Onmyou Academy, possessing abilities that rival even the most famous anime exorcists. In spite of She can summon many shikigamiHer most interesting person has to be Hokuto, a seemingly normal girl she created to get close to Harutora and learn more about him.
4 Kelvin – Melfina (Black Summoner)
Based on the Light Novel by Doufu Mayoi
Year of release
2022
Episodes
twelfth
Where to stream it
Crunchyroll
The main character of Black Summoner is Kelvin, who is reincarnated into a magical world by Melfina, a powerful goddess. In a twist of fate, Melfina offers Kelvin the chance to choose his new abilities, he responds by claiming the title of S-class summoner and choosing her as his first companion, he loved her. Although he initially did not have the ability to summon her, due to her divine status, He becomes stronger as a summoner by fighting various monsters and forming bonds with various followers.. Ultimately, he is able to summon Melfina, marking the beginning of a life of mischief, and an interesting twist on the “summoned by the goddess” isekai trope.
3 Lucy Heartfilia – Aquarius (Fairy Tail)
Based on the Manga by Hiro Mashima
Year of release
2009
Episodes
328
Where to stream it
Animation, Crunchyroll, Hulu
Fairy Tail is a title defined by its colorful cast of wizards, each with their own unique powers and developments throughout the show. As the main user of Spirit Magic, Lucy Heartfilia can summon Spirits using their respective keys, and her fighting style revolves around her various summons. Lucy has access to a variety of keys, from the more common silver keys to rare gold keys, each depicting one of the astrological signs. Aquarius’s key was the first key that Lucy obtained, inheriting it from her deceased mother, and despite her initial hostility, Aquarius gradually came to see Lucy as a daughter. When Lucy had to sacrifice Aquarius to summon the Elemental Lords, their farewell was one of the most heartbreaking moments in the entire series.
2 Friends Asakura – Amidamaru (Sorcerer King)
Based on the Manga by Hiroyuki Takei
Year of release
2001
Episodes
sixty four
Where to stream it
Netflix (2021 Reboot)
Shaman King revolves around the Shaman Fight, a prestigious tournament in which shamans along with their summoned spirits fight each other to gain recognition from the Great Spirit and gain the ability to determine the direction of the world. One such participant was You Asakura, whose first Guardian Spirit was Amidamaru, a 600 year old samurai famous for his many murders. Devoted to his master, Amidamaru granted You his powers and allowed him to quickly progress through the tournament, surprising everyone with their combined strength. Although You eventually gained another great spirit, Amidamaru remained his most important and trusted companion.
1 Megumi Fushiguro – Divine Dog (Jujutsu Kaisen)
Based on Manga by Gege Akutami
Year of release
2020
Episodes
47
Where to stream it
Netflix, Funimation, Crunchyroll
Megumi Fushiguro is one of the most interesting characters in Jujutsu Kaisen, a game set in a world where titular jujutsu sorcerers battle Curse, terrifying creatures formed from the malice of human. Even without considering her abilities, Megumi is still an outstanding warrior. Furthermore, he has the ability to read situations and come up with ingenious plans. Regarding his fighting style, Megumi uses the Ten Shadow Techniques to summon various shikigami, Cursed souls that he bound to his will after defeating them in battle. While Mahoraga is undoubtedly the most powerful shikigami summoned by the Ten Shadow Techniques, Megumi is closely linked to Divine Dog, a pair of dog shikigami. When the white one is killed, the black one inherits its power, transforming into the much stronger Divine Dog: Totality.
Some of these summoners and familiars live in extremely dangerous worlds, having to fight together and trust each other every day to ensure their survival. Others live more relaxed lives, allowing them more time to get to know each other and deepen their relationships. Either way, they share meaningful connections that sometimes cannot even exist without each other. Unlike friends or group members who can betray each other at any time, close relatives are dedicated and determined to follow their master’s will. This unique bond is what makes it possible best anime summons as interesting as they are.
