Grok companions: Ani, Valentine, Rudi and where to find them
Grok’s animated companions explained: who the characters are, the reported move to a separate app in 2026, how they work and what to keep in mind.
Grok companions are animated characters you can chat with by text or voice: Ani, Mika, Valentine, Good Rudi and Bad Rudi. They launched in July 2025. Reports say they were retired from the Grok app around September 1, 2026; a separate app, Animates, from the studio behind them, now carries companion characters.
Who the companions are
Grok companions are animated 3D characters you can talk to by text or voice. They launched in July 2025. As of February 2026 the line-up was:
- Ani, the best-known one, an anime-style character
- Mika
- Valentine
- Good Rudi and Bad Rudi, a cartoon red panda with a friendly and a rude version
Where to find them now
Several reports say companions were retired from the Grok app around September 1, 2026, with Ani still reachable as a persona in normal chat. A separate 17+ app called Animates, launched in late August 2026 by Animation Inc (the studio behind the Grok avatars), now carries companion characters. Animates is not a SpaceXSI product and Grok accounts do not carry over. SpaceXSI has not published an official statement we could find, so treat the details as reported rather than confirmed.
How they work
Companions run on Grok’s models but have their own personalities, voices and animations, and they react as the conversation goes on. They are designed for casual conversation and entertainment, not for getting work done; for that, use regular Grok chat or Grok Bot.
A word of caution
Companion apps are built to be engaging, and some characters lean flirtatious. Keep it in proportion: they are software, they can say wrong or odd things, and conversations may be stored. They are not suitable for children, and Grok has a separate kids mode for younger users. If you notice you are relying on a companion for emotional support, talking to people you trust or a professional helps more.
Questions people ask
Who is Ani on Grok?
Ani is Grok’s best-known companion, an animated anime-style character you can talk to by text or voice.
Why can’t I find companions in the Grok app?
Reports say they were retired from the Grok app around September 1, 2026. A separate app called Animates, not made by SpaceXSI, now carries companion characters.
Are Grok companions for kids?
No. Some characters are designed for adults. Grok has a separate kids mode.