History Main / AsianLionDogs

* Sei Shishi, the HumongousMecha belonging to the Shishi (Green) Ranger, Daigo, in ''Series/GoseiSentaiDairanger'' is modeled after one of these; he can use his illusion powers at giant scale. It forms the chest, arm covers and helmet of [[CombiningMecha Dairenoh]] and the back and shoulder pads of [[MechaExpansionPack Kiba Daioh]]. Season 2 of ''Series/MightyMorphinPowerRangers'' gave this Zord to the Black Ranger ([[LuckyTranslation which still worked because there was still a lot of black in the color scheme]], but lost the ability to project illusions (thanks to the illusion footage having a visible Japanese actor), so the Lion was useless.

* In the ''Orient Expedition'' subtheme of ''Toys/LEGOAdventurers'', Jun-Chi is clearly modeled after the traditional Chinese lion-dog statues, and it guards the passages of the Dragon Fortress in China. It's even referred to as "the giant monster lion-dog" in the online comics and "the legendary lion-dog of China" in the magazine comics.

* ''Franchise/{{Digimon}}'': [[https://wikimon.net/Siesamon Siesamon]] is based on the ''shisa'', a variant from the Ryukyuan islands. It's described as being extremely loyal and protective of its Tamer, as well as capable of standing against calamity and evil. It can evolve into [[https://wikimon.net/Caturamon Caturamon]] of the Deva, which also resembles the creature, and possess a strong sense of justice but a somewhat black-and-white sense of morality.

* ''VideoGame/FlightRising'': Technically they're dragons, but the Obelisk breed are clearly inspired by this creature. They were created from stone to protect others, and they certainly look the part of the guardian lion with their broad snouts and curly manes.

** Entei, one of Johto's three Legendary Beasts, is the same way. Designer Muneo Saitō didn't want it to be a clearly defined animal, though its design drew much inspiration from lions; he settled on giving it a silhouette could resemble a dog or a cat.

* ''Franchise/YokaiWatch'': The brothers Komasan and Komajiro are the spirits of lion dog statues whose statues were destroyed, and who subsequently started wandering. Their evolved forms, Komane and Komiger (respectively), represent them coming into their full power as guardian lion-dogs.

In fiction, these statues are often portrayed as living creatures in their own right. The most common interpretations depict them as either magically animated {{Living Statue}}s or as a type of celestial or divine beings. The second type in particular may more or less closely resemble the regular statues; some are simply fleshly versions of the real-life statuary, while others are simply large, magical lions or dogs. Regardless of type, they're commonly depicted as guardian entities that keep watch over specific places or, more occasionally, people, which they protect from harm and malign influences. The animated statue variant is usually a mindless construct built as a magical security system of sorts; the living variant, by contrast, are more commonly depicted as holy or divine beings, intelligent and righteous and fiercely opposed to evil and malign magic.

* ''VideoGame/{{Pokemon}}'': Growlithe and Arcanine, Pokémon resembling stout, maned, and tiger-striped beasts with both canine and feline traits, are based on Japanese iterations of the temple lion statues such as the shisa and komainu. They're noted to be very brave and extremely loyal to their trainer, and very territorial in the bargain; Growlithe in particular will fearlessly face down anyone threatening their territory or trainer, regardless of their strength or size. In earlier editions, which tend to be more cavalier about referring to real-life places and things, Arcanine is also described as being from China; later generations change this to "the East".
* ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'': The Shiisaa has been a recurring monster that the party can recruit. They resemble both dogs and lions and are described as holy beings said to protect against ill luck and evil spirits. Barong, the eternal enemy of the WickedWitch Rangda, is also reminiscent of a lion dog.

* ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'': The Shiisa has been a recurring monster that the party can recruit. They resemble both dogs and lions and are described as holy beings said to protect against ill luck and evil spirits.

* Sei Shishi, the HumongousMecha belonging to the Shishi (Green) Ranger, Daigo, in ''Series/GoseiSentaiDairanger' is modeled after one of these; he can use his illusion powers at giant scale. It forms the chest, arm covers and helmet of [[CombiningMecha Dairenoh]] and the back and shoulder pads of [[MechaExpansionPack Kiba Daioh]]. Season 2 of ''Series/MightyMorphinPowerRangers'' gave this Zord to the Black Ranger ([[LuckyTranslation which still worked because there was still a lot of black in the color scheme]], but lost the ability to project illusions (thanks to the illusion footage having a visible Japanese actor), so the Lion was useless.

[[quoteright:350:[[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/1200px_arcanine.png]]]]

* ''Film/GodzillaVsMechagodzilla'': King Shisa (often Anglicized as "Caesar", much to audience confusion) is a {{Kaiju}} based on the Shisa, the Okinawan versions of these. He's a stony, lion-like guardian entity who is awakened from his slumber by a {{Miko}} to protect the world from Mechagodzilla. King Shisa's basis in Okinawan culture is heavily emphasized, and the movie explores - as much as a ''Showa'' era Godzilla movie can, anyway - the historical tension between Okinawa and the rest of Japan.

For these creatures' usual home grounds, see {{Wutai}} and the FarEast. Often overlaps with EvilDetectingDog. Contrast {{Hellhound}}. For another mythical creature with similar origins, see the ''qilin'' or {{Kirin}}. See also OurGargoylesRock and SheduAndLamassu for Western and Middle Eastern cases, respectively, of mythical creatures derived from statuary.

For these creatures' usual home grounds, see {{Wutai}} and the FarEast. Often overlaps with EvilDetectingDog. Contrast {{Hellhound}}. For another mythical creature with similar origins, see the ''qilin'' or {{Kirin}}. See also OurGargoylesRock for a Western case of mythical creatures derived from statuary.

* ''Film/GodzillaVsMechagodzilla'': King Caesar is a {{Kaiju}} based on the Shisa, the Okinawan versions of these; his original name in Japanese is in fact "King Shisa". He's a stony, lion-like guardian entity who is awakened from his slumber by a {{Miko}} to protect the world from Mechagodzilla.

Chinese guardian lions, also termed stone lions, lion dogs, foo/fu lions/dogs, temple lions, temple dogs, shishi ("stone lion") or tongshi ("bronze lion"), are a traditional Chinese architectural motif in the form of large stone or metal statues of crouching leonine beasts typically placed in pairs at the entrance of important buildings, such as palaces, temples, and tombs, under the belief that they will protect their post from spiritual and physical harm. They traditionally come in pairs, one holding a ball under one paw and the other with a cub on its back. They are intended to resemble lions and referred to as such in Chinese and neighboring languages, but the stylized appearance of the statues has led Western observers to mistake them for dogs as well.

* ''Franchise/DragonQuest'': Foo Dogs first appear in Dragon Quest IV, working with [[IncrediblyLamePun Master Kung]], naturally. They have a few palette swaps as well: [[PlayingWithFire Hot Dogs]], which use fire spells, and the [[PoisonousPerson poisonous Abracadabradors.]]

* ''Film/BigBirdInJapan'', a spin-off of ''Series/SesameStreet'' featuring [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Big Bird and Barkley on vacation in Japan]], shows the duo going to Sanjusangendo Temple, inhabited by 1000 Kannon Bodhisattva - and plenty of demons resembling lions or dogs to frighten away intruders, as Barkley discovers to his terror.

* ''Film/BigBirdInJapan'', a spin-off of Series/SesameStreet featuring [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Big Bird and Barkley on vacation in Japan]], shows the duo going to Sanjusangendo Temple, inhabited by 1000 Kannon Bodhisattva - and plenty of demons resembling lions or dogs to frighten away intruders, as Barkley discovers to his terror.

[[quoteright:350:[[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/doge_0.jpg]]]]

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/doge_0.jpg]]

Chinese guardian lions, also termed stone lions, lion dogs, foo/fu lions/dogs, temple lions, temple dogs, shishi ("stone lion") or tongshi ("bronze lion"), are a traditional Chinese architectural motif in the form of large stone or metal statues of crouching leonine beasts typically placed in pairs at the entrance of important buildings, such as palaces, temples and tombs, under the belief that they will protect their post from spiritual and physical harm. They traditionally come in pairs, one holding a ball under one paw and the other with a cub on its back. They are intended to resemble lions, and referred to as such in Chinese and neighboring languages, but the stylized appearance of the statues has led Western observers to mistake them for dogs as well.

* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'': Foo dogs are ChaoticGood canines native to the Upper Planes; foo lions are larger, stronger and rarer beings. The game later expanded this concept into a greater taxon of foo creatures, of which foo dogs and foo lions are simply the most common variants; in general, foo creatures are distinguished by their noble personalities and vaguely humanoid faces with flat noses and foreheads. They feed on inorganic material such as [[EatDirtCheap gems]] and [[MetalMuncher precious metals]], and their claws and fangs deal more damage to evil beings than non-evil ones. They can be summoned by and interact with any culture, as they're native to the outer planes and not bound to any specific part of the material world, but have an especially strong bond with the people of FarEast civilizations such as [[TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms Kara-Tur]].

* ''VideoGame/{{Pokemon}}'': Growlithe and Arcanine, Pokémon resembling stout, maned and tiger-striped beasts with both canine and feline traits, are based off of Japanese iterations of the temple lion statues such as the shisa and komainu. They're noted to be very brave and extremely loyal to their trainer, and very territorial in the bargain; Growlithe in particular will fearlessly face down anyone threatening their territory or trainer, regardless of their strength or size. In earlier editions, which tend to be more cavalier about referring to real-life places and things, Arcanine is also described as being from China; later generations change this to "the East".

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[[folder:Film -- Live-Action]]

* ''WesternAnimation/OverTheMoon'': The Chinese moon goddess Chang'e has winged red and yellow stone lions at her command. They're the ones who rescue Fei Fei and Chin when his rocket malfunctions en route to the moon, and seemingly give him the ability to breathe in space.

For these creatures' usual home grounds, see {{Wutai}} and the FarEast. Often overlaps with EvilDetectingDog. Contrast {{Hellhound}}. For another mythical creature with similar origins, see the ''qilin'' or {{Kirin}}.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Mulan}}'': A temple lion statue is used as a battering ram to try and enter the Imperial Palace to [[spoiler:save the Emperor from Shan Yu.]]
* ''WesternAnimation/OverTheMoon'': The Chinese moon goddess Chang'e has winged red and yellow stone lions at her command. They're the ones who rescue Fei Fei and Chin when Fei Fei's rocket malfunctions en route to the moon, and seemingly give them the ability to breathe in space.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Mulan}}'': A temple lion dog statue is used as a battering ram to try and enter the Imperial Palace to [[spoiler:save the Emperor from Shan Yu.]]