Many of the best anime series in history have had wide casts of compelling characters. Those in supporting roles are endlessly important to world building and are major factors in keeping the audience engaged. Due to the standard structure of most battle shōnen stories, which typically feature naturally good, lighthearted protagonists, artists will often give side characters more complex backstories.
In some cases, however, whether it’s because of that structure or for some other unknown reason, many anime series feature side characters who are far more interesting than the protagonist. Some might have more compelling lore, while others are simply central to a more entertaining plot line.
The main characters of a series may be well-written in their own right,but are just outshined by those around them.
Despite howThe Promised Neverlandturned outin its mostly disastrous second season, the series' cast of characters is still top-notch, led mainly by Emma and Ray, and later Norman when it comes time to escape the orphanage. Of the series' most important characters, however, it’s the one with the least amount of screen time who has the biggest impact.
Where Emma is a more emotional, kind, and caring character, contrasted by Ray’s cold and calculated personality,Norman is best described as a mixture of both. As soon as he’s shipped out of the orphanage, the mystery surrounding his whereabouts becomes just as, if not more, intriguing than the main plot.
FewShōnen Jumpcharacters have been more popular throughout the 2020s thanJujutsu Kaisen’s Satoru Gojo. While Yuji Itadori is well-written enough, especially for a battle shōnen protagonist, that familiar naturally good, kind-hearted formula often works against himwhen his own series features a character as charismatic as Gojo.
The series often detours in order to focus specifically on Gojo and his backstory, making the latest and hottest example of the nonchalant master trope a main draw for fans looking to get intoJujutsu Kaisen. He will once again play a major role in future seasons of the anime, for better or worse.
Black Clover’s earlier sections are pretty divisive. Aside from the occasional pacing issues, which aren’t all that uncommon when it comes to Pierrot adaptations, many viewers have a hard time connecting with the series' protagonist, Asta—which becomes an even bigger problem whenBlack Cloverbegins introducing more interesting characters.
Despite his hard exterior, however, he cares for others greatly, and is shown to have a big heart on a number of occasions.
Yami, like Gojo, fills the role of the teacher in the series, but does so a bit differently. Where Gojo is the goofy and eccentric leader,Yami employs a bit more tough love. Despite his hard exterior, however, he cares for others greatly, and is shown to have a big heart on a number of occasions.
Kaguya-sama: Love Is Waris one of themost popular romance anime series ever, with a cast of likable and unique characters that are able to make even mundane school-time shenanigans entertaining. And though the title of the series is named after one-half of its main couple, there’s another relationship that steals the spotlight several times throughout the story.
The relationship between Yu Ishigami and Miko Iino is one of the most beloved in anime,despite neither being the main focal point ofKaguya-sama: Love Is War. That doesn’t take away from Kaguya and Shirogane, who are both wonderfully written characters in their own right—but there are occasions in which Ishigami and Iino carry the series on their backs.
Puella Magi Madoka Magicaarrived in 2011 andforever changed the magical girl genre. Exploring the dark underbelly of the daily lives of magical girls, the series flipped the usual tropes on their head and delivered a haunting psychological experience. However, Madoka herself is far from the most interesting aspect of the series.
Instead, Homura, who is revealed to play a much larger role in the events of the anime much later on,is a much more compelling and endearing presence. By the time the final few episodes ofMadoka Magicaroll around, Homura all but steals the show entirely, while Madoka must contend with the same choice that is haunting her throughout the series.
Black Lagoonis a certified classic, and has been enjoyed by multiple generations of anime fans since its premiere in 2006. However, those not acquainted with the series might be surprised to know that the gun-touting ruthless Revy is notBlack Lagoon’s protagonist.
Compared to Rokuro, who’s likely a bit more complex than fans give him credit for,Revy has all but claimed the series her own, and has been attached to every bit of marketing done forBlack Lagoonsince its manga debuted over two decades ago. She’s a proactive character, and her backstory is far more emotional, shaping the sort of person she is throughout the series.
There aren’t many shows that can boast the sort of lasting success and popularity ofFullmetal Alchemist. For well over a decade, the series has remained atop countless personal and online ‘best of’ anime lists, and a large reason for that are the Elric brothers themselves. However, the series features another, arguably more interesting character.
The exploits of Roy Mustang steal the show countless times throughoutFullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, while his iconic “it’s a terrible day for rain” line has been immortalized in memes across the web. His morally gray presence within the military, as well as his talent as an alchemist make for endlessly entertaining moments whenever he’s on screen.
Bungo Stray Dogstrulyblossoms after its early, slower portions, but not entirely because of its main character, Atsushi Nakajima. Osamu Dazai, named after the famous author ofNo Longer Human, the title of which is also referenced in the series, is often the catalyst of the eventsBungo Stray Dogs.
As a central presence in the story, Dazai is a far more interesting and compelling character than anyone else,and is both the brains and the style of the operation. It might be a bit unfair to compare him to Atsushi, considering the series features more of an ensemble cast with each member taking their time in the spotlight, but none compare to Dazai.
Demon Slayeris one of the most popular current generation anime and manga series, and its protagonist, the lovable and endlessly endearing Tanjiro, has become instantly recognizable over the last five years and change. However, likeJujutsu Kaisen’s Yuji, he suffers a bit from following the naturally good, kindhearted main character shōnen trope.
As a contrast to Tanjiro’s character, Rengoku is headstrong, wise, and cares deeply for those he’s tasked with protecting.
When Rengoku enters the story during theMugen Trainarc,he instantly steals the hearts of viewers as well as the spotlight. As a contrast to Tanjiro’s character, Rengoku is headstrong, wise, and cares deeply for those he’s tasked with protecting. His backstory is tragic,and so is his end. By the conclusion of his time in the series, fans will be in tears.
Dragon Ball Z and Super, Animated by Toei Animation, Based on the Manga by Akira Toriyama
Dragon Ball
From the creative mind of Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball is a mega multimedia franchise that spans back to the 1980s. Dragon Ball expanded quickly, starting as a serialized manga for Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan. It made its way overseas via manga and an anime adaptation that is enjoyed worldwide. Dragon Ball was the initial starting animated series that followed the adventures of the young Son Goku as he sought after the Dragon Balls. These mystical orbs would grant the wish of any who gathered them together. Then, the series would branch off into the immensely popular Dragon Ball Z, which followed Goku as an adult and featured high-intensity battles and Goku’s never-ending search to be the strongest. The series has also enjoyed several popular video game adaptations and continues to release several new animated series and theatrical films up to the recent popular Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
Goku is arguably the most iconic character in anime and manga history, and he will always beDragon Ball’s most important and popular presence. However, in recent years at least, Vegeta has skyrocketed up near the top of popularity polls. From his backstory to his character arc, and his full transition from villain to hero,Vegeta has become a far more interesting character than Goku.
Funnily enough,Akira Toriyama was never much of a fan of the prince, but his increased screen time throughoutDragon Ballproves just how effective he is as a character. The series wouldn’t be quite the same without Vegeta, and he’s done quite a bit of heavy lifting for modernDragon Ballin recent years.
