Anime protagonists get the most attention, but secondary characters and sidekicks are often just as engaging if not more so. Without further ado, here's a list of some great anime side characters and sidekicks!
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Aki from Chainsaw Man
Aki is more of a deuteragonist as his goals and personality have as much weight as Denji's.
In fact, he's been praised as a great deconstruction of what a shounen anime deuteragonist should be.
He comes across as cold and rude at first, but since showing his true colors, his fanbase grew.
Now, he's one of the most beloved characters in Chainsaw Man.
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Power from Chainsaw Man
Similar to Aki, Power is a side character that grows on you gradually as she reveals more layers of her personality.
As a Fiend, Power is self-serving with no understanding of human morality, but her strong personality steals the show each and every time.
In later Chainsaw Man arcs, she proves to be surprisingly sensitive.
Refreshingly, she forms a sibling-like relationship with Denji without any romantic teasing after the initial understanding that there was no attraction from either party.
Momiji from Fruits Basket
Fruits Basket features a wide range of interesting side characters with their own backstories and goals, but Momiji is by far our favorite.
In many ways, Momiji got the short end of the stick compared to other Sohma family members.
The zodiac curse affected his family life the most, he was bullied by Akito, and he didn't end up with anyone.
Upon learning Momiji's backstory and how he manages to remain kind, enthusiastic about life, and supportive of others, you can't help liking him.
Hanajima from Fruits Basket
Saki Hanajima is another Fruits Basket character that deserved more scenes.
Tohru's gothic friend has a sad backstory as she used to be bullied for her black clothes and psychic abilities.
In accordance with the show's healing motifs, Hanajima does get better, hence she's able to support Tohru with everything she goes through.
Her seriousness, surprising sensitivity, and fierce protectiveness of her friends make her one of the most endearing side characters in the series.
Todoroki from My Hero Academia
Todoroki is introduced as a side character in My Hero Academia, but he has a fanbase comparable to that of the fantasy anime's main characters.
His cool power and complicated family life (particularly his resentment of his abusive father) have endeared Todoroki to many viewers.
Not only does Todoroki have an engaging and memorable personality but he also grows quite a bit despite not being the protagonist.
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Satoru Gojo from Jujutsu Kaisen
Satoru Gojo is the coolest anime teacher one could imagine.
He's incomparably powerful with an engaging personality that makes him as beloved as Yuji and the other main Jujutsu Kaisen characters.
Both in the manga and in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, Gojo gets to be the main character for a bit as his backstory is thoroughly explored.
When he's out of the picture in the Jujutsu Kaisen manga, Gojo is sorely missed.
Yuzuriha from Hell's Paradise
Hell's Paradise is the latest addition to the dark trio of shounen anime, and its ensemble cast is already winning fans over.
One of the characters fans like the most is Yuzuriha, a kunoichi who forms an alliance with the main characters, Gabimaru and Sagiri.
Unlike other characters with a criminal background, Yuzuriha doesn't seek to survive for someone else; she simply loves life and hopes to get out of the island for her own sake.
Compared to other characters in similar settings, she seems genre-savvy enough to survive Kotaku's deadly flowers.
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Chika Fujiwara from Kaguya-sama: Love Is War
Kaguya and Miyuki are explored the most in Kaguya-sama: Love Is War, but Chika Fujiwara is just as beloved if not more so.
Chika is a key member of the student council, and the classroom shenanigans wouldn't be as fun without her.
Given how intense Kaguya and Miyuki's mind games tend to get, Chika adds much-needed comic relief as she forms endearing relationships with others.
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Homura Akemi from Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Anime characters who appear cold and aloof only to reveal a rich inner world tend to garner a fanbase. Akemi Homura from Puella Magi Madoka Magica is no exception.
We first meet her as a new student in Madoka's class and she looks like she doesn't want anything to do with the series' main character.
However, as the show progresses, Homura's real motivations and actual feelings for Madoka make her one of the show's best characters.
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Roy Mustang from Fullmetal Alchemist
One of the reasons Fullmetal Alchemist is so popular is that its themes make it applicable to others beyond its shounen target audience.
Characters like Roy Mustang help achieve this by adding a more adult and ambitious perspective beyond the Elric brothers' coming-of-age journey.
Not only does Mustang often help Edward and Al, but he's also interesting enough to stand on his own, often getting his own sub-plots so that his journey can come into focus.
Riza Hawkeye from Fullmetal Alchemist
Riza Hawkeye might not be in the forefront as much as Mustang is but she remains one of the most beloved characters in Fullmetal Alchemist.
The trope of a chaotic man in leadership being kept in line by a more organized female subordinate is a bit overdone.
That being said, it's hard to resist Riza and Roy's chemistry and rapport.
Her no-nonsense behavior, competence, and relationship with her dog are only a few of the things that make her endearing.
Levi from Attack on Titan
Just like Satoru Gojo, Attack on Titan's Levi is another example of a secondary, older, and more competent character stealing the show.
From very early in the series, fans fell in love with Levi's cold and seemingly uncaring mannerisms, cleanliness obsession, and strength.
While he doesn't always get as much screen time as Eren or Mikasa, he's one of the most beloved anime characters of all time second only to Lelouch from Code Geass.
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Misato from Neon Genesis Evangelion
If you don't really vibe with Neon Genesis Evangelion's younger characters, you might find Misato Katsuragi more interesting.
While not as central as Shinji, Misato is the mecha anime's real deuteragonist.
She might not pilot EVAs, but her character arc is engaging, particularly for viewers past their teenage years.
Several scenes are devoted to Misato's character development, her emotional baggage, and her complicated relationship with Ryoji Kaji -- all themes that feel more relatable than piloting mechas.
Kallen from Code Geass
Since Code Geass ultimately focuses mostly on Lelouch, Suzaku, and C.C., other interesting characters feel a bit underexplored.
Kallen is definitely one of them as she has one of the most interesting backstories.
Born to a Japanese mother and a Britannian father, Kallen passes as Britannian but detests what the Empire is doing to Japan.
At the same time, she resents her Japanese mother due to her passivity and she resolves to fight for freedom.
While Kallen's character is often played for laughs or used for fanservice, this feels like a missed opportunity.
With such a complex background, she could even get her own show.
Nezuko from Demon Slayer
Nezuko is one of the major reasons Demon Slayer is so popular. Soon after turning into a demon, Nezuko turns bloodthirsty and violent.
However, her brother's attempt to save her life changes her and reinforces her protectiveness of him.
Fans love Nezuko because she combines cuteness with cool abilities that make her a very powerful sidekick.
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Gugu from To Your Eternity
To Your Eternity is a particularly sad anime as Fushi, the main character, goes through a large cast of characters who, unlike him, aren't immortal. Among them, Gugu is by far our favorite.
Life hasn't treated him kindly, as his only family member abandons him, an accident injures him badly, and he spends years unable to confess to the girl he loves.
Gugu becomes a brother figure to our main character and Fushi couldn't have asked for a better sidekick.
Killua from Hunter x Hunter
Killua Zoldyck might not seem like the most interesting supporting character at first, but you warm up to him as you watch more of Hunter x Hunter.
His character isn't too surprising as shounen deuteragonists go, but his personality makes him an ideal foil for Gon.
He can remain collected when Gon is reckless and their overall personalities complement each other.
Moreover, his developing friendship with Gon is endearing to watch.
Myria and Isaac from Baccano!
Myria and Isaac are a very eccentric and not particularly smart couple who perform robberies during the Prohibition Era in the United States, dressed up in odd costumes.
The couple is immortal because they accidentally ingested the elixir of life, and they continue living happily ever after into the 21st century.
They're such a chaotic and disastrous pair that we can't help but find them endearing.
Zoro from One Piece
Virtually any One Piece character who isn't Luffy would be a fair candidate for this list, and Zoro is amongst the fan favorites.
Luffy's first recruit is a skilled swordsman who normally appears stern and aloof.
However, fans love his goofy and exaggerated moments and his matter-of-fact tone when needed the most.
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Genos from One-Punch Man
One of the best things about side characters is that they can both illuminate the protagonist and be engaging in their own right. Genos from One-Punch Man is definitely one such character.
A cyborg with an interesting backstory, he wants to grow stronger but he does have a moral code.
In many ways, he's a perfect foil for Saitama.
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