Meiken Cheese is a dog character living at Uncle Jam's bakery. Rescued as a starving, crying puppy found alone in the forest during Anpanman's early patrol, he was brought to the bakery and named by Batako-san. Cheese appears as a light brown dog with short rabbit-shaped ears and a dark brown tail tip. His design initially recalled a basset hound, though his specific breed remains officially unidentified. While early portrayals showed him walking primarily on four legs, he now more commonly stands bipedally, though he retains canine sitting and sleeping postures. He sleeps in a loaf-shaped doghouse outside the bakery. His personality blends comic relief and bravery. He displays dramatic, silly behavior often driven by a large appetite, causing him to gulp food hungrily. Though occasionally lazy about chores, he demonstrates courage by accompanying Anpanman into danger. He frequently assists in transporting Anpanman's replacement heads during emergencies. Within the bakery, Cheese serves practical roles, participating in baking tasks and operating the Anpanman-go vehicle. His heightened senses make him valuable for detecting distress signals; he is typically the first to notice SOS calls. His exceptional sense of smell allows him to track individuals by scent alone. Cheese communicates through barks without forming sentences. The bakery residents understand him through mutual attunement, recognizing him as a "wise dog," though this requires careful listening to interpret his vocalizations. His relationships include a close bond with Butterko and a romantic association with Rare Cheese, a cheesecake-based character. Within the hero group, Cheese functions primarily as Anpanman's loyal companion rather than a frontline fighter. His character evolution across the franchise includes a shift from early manga depictions where he could speak in sentences followed by "woof," to the animated series where his communication is limited to barks. Despite this change, the consistency of other characters comprehending him remains unchanged. Cheese appears in the film "Niji no Pyramid" as part of the ensemble cast.