One of the most popular Friends in the Kemono Friends franchise, Fennec is widely known and loved for her smug grin and silly antics with Arai-san. As the Friend most well-known for smugness, she is naturally the most obvious choice when trying to determine who the most smug Friend is. But is this truly the correct choice?

Disambiguation

Before answering this question though, what it means to be smug must first be disambiguated. The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word as "Having or showing an excessive pride in oneself or one's achievements". It can then be assumed that someone who is smug in personality is someone who very frequently demonstrates this quality in their behavior. Finally, the Friend who is the most smug would be the Friend who most consistently and intensely exhibits smugness.

What Makes Fennec So Smug?

What is it that gives Fennec such smug satisfaction? Or is being smug just part of her personality? In the Nexon game Fennec is again Arai-san's companion and assists in the raccoon's mission to capture Cerval before Protagonist and the real Serval do. But throughout this adventure, Fennec is actually somewhat modest is her behavior. She describes herself very humbly to others, does not behave arrogantly, and is not interested in the same glory Arai-san wishes to grasp with the achievement of capturing Cerval, an achievement sure to grant a sense of smug satisfaction with victory over Serval and her companions.

Well, until then.~ Should we come across one another during the race, don't be too harsh on us.~ (Nexon Fennec in Chapter 6.3)

In the Anime Fennec has more cause for smugness as her Arai-san embarks on a mission to capture hat thief while also denying any possibility that Kaban and hat thief are the same person. Though Fennec doesn't know for a fact that Kaban and hat thief actually are the same person until episode 11, the evidence that builds over time and her resulting doubt of Arai-san's assertion could be cause for smugness. But when the moment of truth finally does come, Fennec is quite mature about it and explains the situation to Arai-san very respectfully. The most smug thing Anime Fennec seems to do is make jokes at Arai-san's expense. Perhaps Fennec is simply smug about her friendship with an adorably air-headed raccoon? Whatever the case, she is not the most smug Friend.

Enter Nexon Scarlet Ibis

Hehehe, there's no way we can be equal! After all, Scarlet Ibis is clearly better! I'll bestow my song upon you once more, listen carefully now! (Nexon Scarlet Ibis in Chapter 6.10)

The crown of most smug undoubtedly goes to the Nexon game's Scarlet Ibis. The cause of her big grin is no mystery. This bird believes she is the best, most beautiful Friend in Japari Park, and she is absolutely smug about it. Scarlet is enormously prideful about her beauty, singing ability, and is obsessed with making her feathers more brilliant and red so she can feel even more proud. Because of this Scarlet behaves very arrogantly and takes every opportunity she can to assert herself as important and beautiful. Scarlet even gets parenthetical text in some of her dialogue boxes emphasizing her smugness.

（ドヤァ） Has been translated as (smug) and (smug face) by the Japari Library

The whole purpose of Scarlet Ibis as a character is to be insanely smug to the point of comedic effect. Her smugness is not a result of anything other than a ridiculously smug admiration of self. It is this highly consistent and intense smugness that makes Scarlet Ibis the most smug Friend, without a doubt.