The JRPG genre has undergone several changes and reforms over time, reaching a point where the term itself is considered to be stifling and offensive by modern Japanese developers as well! These games are known for their epic stories, memorable characters, and riveting combat systems that keep players engaged for hours on end. Most JRPGs are lengthy experiences that will keep players hooked until the very end.
There's no denying that JRPGs do end up conforming to certain tropes and clichés, which may irritate some fans who want the genre to evolve. However, one area where no one can complain is the tendency of games in this genre to feature endearing characters that become the mascots of their respective games and franchises. These cute figures either end up helping the party, standing against them as enemies...or both!
10 Prinny – Disgaea
Prinnies are small penguin-like creatures that have become enduring figures in the world of Disgaea ever since their appearance in Hour of Darkness. Despite their cute appearance, they can be quite savage and violent if the situation calls for it.
They are always upbeat and seem happy about life, with their infectious charm making them a great outlet for comedy across most Disgaea games. Prinny may not be the most popular JRPG mascot around, but fans of the Disgaea series are always more than happy to interact with these fun characters.
9 Teddie – Persona 4
Teddie is a lovable and playful bear-like creature who seemingly inhabits the TV World when players happen upon this area for the first time. He monitors the party as their guide before a battle with his Shadow form awakens a Persona that helps him become an active party member instead.
Teddie is a joyful character, but some people do feel that his happy-go-lucky schtick ends up being somewhat grating after a point. Regardless, he's still a pretty interesting character, and the reveal of his human form makes for a pretty memorable moment indeed.
8 Puni – Atelier
It seems that most effective mascots become popular because of their round and soft look, and the Puni from the Atelier series is no exception to this golden rule. They are jelly-like creatures that appear in various Atelier games and serve as fodder that players encounter in regular battles.
Punis look extremely cute, as most people would expect from mascot characters. Hitting them in battle almost feels like a crime, so it's great that some Atelier games allow characters to keep Punis as pets too!
7 Cactuar – Final Fantasy
The Cactuar is an infamous enemy who will lull players into a false sense of security before peppering party members with needles across the many Final Fantasy games. Their signature attack, 1000 Needles, can be pretty annoying to deal with if players have party members with a low HP pool.
However, players can't deny that these Cactuars look pretty cute despite how damaging they can be in battle. Games like Final Fantasy 8 feature a Jumbo Cactuar that can hit people with 10000 Needles, a one-hit KO in case that wasn't clear enough.
6 Morgana – Persona 5
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Morgana is a mysterious black cat-like creature who is one of the starting party members in Persona 5. He's a pretty chirpy feline, although players have no idea about the true nature of his existence unless they progress quite a bit into the story and uncover its mysteries.
He has the ability to transform into a bus, making Mementos easier to navigate. While he can get somewhat annoying at times, Morgana is a pretty endearing character and forms a lasting bond with the protagonist as the story develops.
5 Jack Frost – Shin Megami Tensei
Jack Frost is a demon that has made an appearance across multiple Shin Megami Tensei games, with most people recognizing this creature as one of the many allies they can battle and use in the Persona series. This frosty demon uses ice attacks and looks pretty endearing to boot.
So, it's easy to see why Atlus uses this character as the mascot of the company itself. Jack Frost has a rich history in the Shin Megami Tensei series, with long-time fans loving this monster whenever it makes an appearance.
4 Moogle – Final Fantasy
The phrase "Kupo!" is instantly recognizable for fans of Final Fantasy who are quite familiar with the most popular mascot in the series. The iconic moogle is a cute and fluffy creature that has become a staple of the series.
From becoming party members to helping players save, moogles have become one of the most recognizable things from Final Fantasy. They are considered to be the official mascot in a series full of cute things, and understandably so!
3 Slime – Dragon Quest
It's a testament to how legendary the Dragon Quest franchise is that the mascot of this game is one of the most common JRPG enemies of all time. The slimes in Dragon Quest look like lovable blobs of joy...who want to take the player down, of course.
These slimes come in all shapes and sizes over the course of the series, including the legendary Metal Slime that is encountered at high levels. Even after all the years that this series has been active, the slime has endured and continues to be one of the most iconic enemies in the entire series by a country mile.
2 Chocobo – Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy games feature huge worlds that can be quite overwhelming to traverse. After roaming the world on foot for a while, most people would ideally want to check out another mode of travel that is faster...and even cuter!
This is where the iconic birds of Final Fantasy come into the picture, with the Chocobos saving the player's hide and helping them traverse varying types of terrain time and time again. These feathery mounts are incredibly adorable, with their wark being instantly recognizable for any Final Fantasy fan.
1 Pikachu – Pokemon
The first season of the Pokemon anime is one of the most popular video game adaptations of all time. In fact, this show was so popular that it popularized the rise of a mascot who would be eternally associated with the Pokemon name.
Pikachu is an electric-type Pokemon who has become one of the most popular and beloved video game characters of all time. Its impact on pop culture has been nothing short of incredible, with people without any knowledge of video games being quite familiar with this yellow rodent as well!