Animals have always played an important part in the world of anime. From cute normal pets to powerful and supernatural animals there is nothing an anime fan can't find if they look hard enough. Some magical anime girls and boys are even capable of changing their human forms and transforming into an animal. Sometimes by choice and sometimes due to a freak accident or even a curse.
The various ways anime characters turn into animals add some extra excitement and a unique flair to a show and often define the characters' whole arc and everyday life. Thanks to these shows anime fans can not only explore some of the most unique powers in Shonen anime but watch their favorite character transform into all kinds of powerful beasts and in some cases even animal demons.
8 Atsushi Nakajima - Bungo Stray Dogs
Atsushi Nakajima has one of the most powerful abilities in the series however, it took him a while to master his transformation ability. Atsushi can change his human form and turn into a magnificent white tiger. He can actually turn partially and fully into this beautiful animal, and he can use different abilities depending on the level of his transformation.
However, Bungo Stray Dogs is not only a great anime because of the interesting supernatural elements but also thanks to its beautiful art style and heartwarming characters. Its story follows the brave members of a detective agency who try to protect their city, Yokohama, from the mafia.
7 Chise Hatori - The Ancient Magus' Bride
Chise Hatori can change her human form and transform into practically any animal thanks to her powerful magical pelt. The special pendant was granted to her by Ashen Eyes and this new magical skill proved to be useful on many occasions. Chise mostly uses her transformation magic when a problem needs to be solved and the animal form is more useful than her human one.
The Ancient Magus' Bride is one of the most emotional and magical anime series that takes its viewers on a fantastical ride. The story follows Chise's adventures after she sells herself to a non-human mage and becomes the new apprentice of this powerful supernatural creature.
6 Ebisu - Dorohedoro
Despite her young age, Ebisu is one of the most powerful characters in Dorohedoro. Thanks to her special reptile transformation magic she's not only capable of fully changing her body and turning into a monstrous giant lizard-like animal but also capable of transforming other people into one.
However, Dorohedoro has plenty of other characters with similar abilities. It's a pretty weird and violent anime but a very unique and interesting one too with fantastic characters with real depth and a story that's filled with surprises. Dorohedoro is about a Caiman a human with a reptilian head who tries to find out who turned him into this weird creature and is set in a world where a violent group of dark sorcerers uses their powers to experiment on humans.
5 Inuyasha - Inuyasha
Inuyasha is capable of transforming into a half-dog demon and even turned into a full dog demon during an especially challenging fight. He's a half-dog demon and half-human who eventually managed to learn how to control his demon blood. He's more powerful in his dog-demon forms that's why he was trying to finally become a full demon.
Inuyasha is a really fun romance adventure anime that follows Kikyo and Inusasha's adventures as he tries to finally get his hands on the Shikon jewel, so he can become a full-fledged dog-demon.
4 Kars - JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
Kars is one of the greatest main characters in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure and while he was extremely powerful in his human form he turned into truly almost unbeatable creatures during his transformations. Thanks to his special abilities Kars could turn into any life form he wished. What's even more special about his capability is that he can even remove his own body parts and turn those into animals.
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is a weird and wonderful show with epic fights and a fantastic visual style. Its story follows a supernatural family called the Joesters, who use their power to defeat all kinds of evil supernatural enemies.
3 Boa Sandersonia - One Piece
Boa Sandersonia is one of the rules of Amazon Lily who has a giant snake form. She got her special power when she ate the Zoan fruit that grants a special transformation ability to those who eat it. While there are all kinds of interesting power-granting fruits in One Piece, Zoan is certainly one of the bests because each character can choose their preferred animal freely.
One Piece has a few other characters who can transform into all kinds of interesting creatures thanks to the Zoan fruit, and Luffy meets many of them during his adventures. The epic series' story follows Luffy, whose life goal is to become a pirate king.
2 Yoruichi Shihouin - Bleach
Yoruichi Shihouin is a smart and powerful warrior who can also turn into a small black cat. She enjoyed her feline transformation powers for over a hundred years and can maintain her cat form for long periods. Once Yorucichi transforms her human body into a cat her voice changes into a deep male voice, and she gets bright golden eyes.
Bleach has all kinds of transformations most notable the show has some of the most memorable villains with great final forms. Bleach is about a headstrong young boy Ichigo with the powers of a Soul Reaper and tells his epic adventures and battles during which he protects all innocents while also trying to help suffering spirits.
1 Kyo Sohma - Fruits Basket
The Sohma family members are without a doubt the most popular characters in the world of anime who can all change their human form and turn into all kinds of animals. The show's fan-favorite character Kyo Sohma can turn into a cute cat and when he loses control he turns into a violent and gigantic beast. Each of the Shoma family members can turn into one of the zodiac animal signs. This happens when they're hugged by anyone of the opposite gender.
Fruits Basket is a feel-good anime that's also one of the most beloved series ever created thanks to its unique story and meaningful themes. Its lovable characters are detailed, and the interesting character facts help viewers feel closer to their favorites. The story follows the goodhearted Tohru who becomes part of the mysterious Shoma family and helps them break their curse.