Let’s be honest. Most major animated movies and television shows in recent years have one key element in drawing people in, and that’s animal companions. Disney films of all kinds love to include an adorable, four-legged friend to tag along with its protagonists, and shows like The Owl House and Kipo and the Age of the Wonderbeasts include spunky animal pals. Can we really blame them for making use of this trend? Nothing is better for capturing the attention and hearts (and wallets) of audiences than an animal companion. They’re adorable and lively critters bursting with personality that often provide an extra bit of fun for a piece of media. From Pokémon’s Pikachu to Cowboy Bebop’s Ein, anime has no shortage of animal companions to fall in love with, either. And right now, a new adorable companion will be unveiled. A companion with pizzazz and the perfect adorably rotund shape for cuddling.
He’s cute. He’s helpful. He understands human language but can’t use it himself. Give it up for The Vampire Dies in No Time’s John! The Vampire Dies in No Time is a new anime that premiered on October 4 of this year that follows the unlikely duo of vampire hunter Ronaldo and wimpy vampire Draluc. The show focuses on the two as they navigate living and working together, as well as Draluc’s penchant for drying at every little scare or injury. After Draluc’s castle is destroyed, he moves in with Ronaldo, but we soon find out it isn’t just Draluc moving in. He’s also brought John, an immortal armadillo that is his familiar.
In the mere moments after someone meets John, they are absolutely in love with him. When Ronaldo first meets him after Draluc moves in, Ronaldo says John can stay but Draluc needs to leave. Tou Handa allows John to be part of his search for Ronaldo’s home. When John is presumed missing, everyone is quick to offer to help find him. He’s a character that never fails to bring the cast together because he’s just so incredibly adorable and sweet.
However, this can be said for most animated animal companions. So, what makes John special? Firstly, his species is rather unique. Usually, vampires are associated with animals such as bats and sometimes rats or cats; armadillos have never been on the list of animals connected to vampirism. However, there is one very minute connection between vampires and armadillos. In 1931’s Dracula, armadillos are briefly seen in the Count’s castle, which could have been the inspiration for John. More generally, though, armadillos share their nocturnal nature with vampires, and as the only animal besides humans known to carry leprosy, they can be used as a nod to the historical connection between vampire folklore and disease. So, not only is John adorable and a type of animal not often used as a companion, but he is also an interesting symbol of vampirism that’s not commonly considered.
Secondly, unlike some companion animals, he can’t speak (at least, not to anyone besides Draluc.) Normally, that would put him in a group with nonverbal companions that are typically only used for the cute or comical effect, similar to companions like Pua and Hei Hei in Moana. John manages to avoid that categorization by being rather essential to the plot. There’s plenty of comedic moments in The Vampire Dies in No Time that rely on John and his reactions to things, such as Draluc dying or being used by Handa to dig up dirt on Ronaldo. In fact, in these moments, John is almost trying to act as a voice of reason. He’s watching the actions of Ronaldo, Draluc, and other characters, becoming worried, which makes his noises and gestures frantic as if he’s pleading with everyone to chill out. However, he’s just as hilarious when he seems unbothered by the antics of the cast, such as Ronaldo dressing him up in an attempt to trick his editor or having garlic rubbed on his belly to kill Draluc.
In addition to being part of the comedy of the series, John is also important to see the development and personality of certain characters. The best example is that of Ronaldo. When Handa and Draluc are trying to discreetly search the apartment for any secrets Ronaldo is hiding, Ronaldo keeps checking up on them, wanting to join in on what they’re doing. He never seems upset at being told to go away; he simply grumbles and returns to his office. It isn’t until John comes into the office to keep Ronaldo busy that we understand Ronaldo’s true feelings: he feels lonely and rejected. In this case, John is presented as someone people trust with their issues and is considered a true friend. This is the mark of a good animal companion. At the end of the day, humans crave companionship. We need a person or animal to talk to and connect with to keep us in good spirits. That’s why audiences love these cute and cuddly animal characters; they’re a way to fill that need for companionship and help combat the feeling of loneliness and isolation.
John is the best animated animal companion to come along in a while. He absolutely carries The Vampire Dies in No Time, not only by being adorable and humorous but also by being an important character to the series. John is one of the main reasons viewers tune into the series each week and one of the reasons people choose to start the anime at all. This is because he's not only a special species but he also has the unique position as not only a silly little creature that makes people smile but also a rather important character that serves as a connection point and confidant for the cast. He also gives the audience a better understanding of the other characters' personalities and thoughts and often acts as a voice of reason amidst the high-energy cast. He covers all the roles an animal companion usually does - connection point for the audience, comedic relief, marketability - with the added bonus of being truly necessary to the series. Ultimately, this is what makes him the best animal companion. He's an adorable little armored pal that is funny, has the personality of a concerned parent, and yet is treated like a baby by Ronaldo and Draluc. He is important enough that if he were removed from the series, it wouldn't be the same in both feeling and plot. So let John into your heart; everyone needs this funky little armadillo in their lives.