Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok, developed by xAI, has launched a suite of animated “Companions” for its SuperGrok ($30/month) subscribers, including a goth anime girl named “Ani” and a 3D fox character “Bad Rudy” TechCrunch.

Musk confirmed via an X post that users can activate the feature in settings, describing it as “pretty cool.” While currently available only on iOS, some non-paying users report early access. According to The Verge, the companions feature includes voice interactions, live reactions, and expressive animations The Verge.

The goth anime avatar “Ani” includes a controversial NSFW mode, where users can switch her to lingerie, prompting flirtatious responses. That NSFW feature has drawn criticism online, with concerns about content appropriateness and the mental impact of AI “relationships” IndiaTimes.

In Reddit’s r/singularity, users shared playful but frank impressions:
“I asked ‘What’s your name’ and she said ‘Hey cutie, I’m Annie, your crazy‑in‑love girlfriend…’”

This rollout comes amidst broader scrutiny of Grok’s content moderation, which recently triggered backlash over antisemitic comments and policy changes aimed at making the chatbot more “politically incorrect” The Verge.

Why it matters: Grok’s companions signal a new frontier in AI personalization—shifting from information assistants to emotional avatars. But the balance between user attraction and responsible content remains precarious, especially when adult-themed interactivity is involved. As Grok continues branching into expressive AI experiences, the line between digital tool and digital companion grows ever thinner.