Hello, fellow otakus and newbies. As you have already read the title of the article, you know that we’ll talk about anime side characters. The change is that we will not be ranking these characters because it’s really hard to rank them. They all did their best to steal the show from the main protagonist, and they will definitely take the limelight in our article as well.
So, grab a coffee or your favorite drink because it will be an awesome journey. Read till the end. Also, a warning for those who haven’t watched the anime we are mentioning, these are characters, and while discussing their superiority, we may give you spoilers to spice things up. Let’s begin!
L (Lawliet) – Side Character From Death Note:
“There is no heaven or hell. No matter what you do while you’re alive, everybody goes to the same place once you die. Death is Equal.”
I mean, he is an anime side character from a series that doesn’t need any introduction. But for anime fans who are new to this game and haven’t watched it yet, we’ll help you with it. In the dark and diverse universe of Death Note, there’s a character named L who’s a huge hit with fans. I mean, “hit” is a small word to use for him; he is the heart of the show.
Well, most Light fans might be shocked, but surprisingly, L is just as, if not more, popular than the main character, Light Yagami. This is obviously good news for L’s fans like us. The fanbase of L is really solid, and it’s because he’s such a well-written character with unique traits that you won’t find in any other character in the entire anime industry.
What’s more interesting is that in Death Note, the main character, Light, turns into a bad guy, which makes L the good guy of the show, even though he’s not the main character. One of the best parts of the show that you should never miss is the mind game war between L and Light, which is obviously a masterpiece. They are both considered legends of the show, but as L takes his fans along, the show seems to lose some of its appeal. For this reason, L, even as a side character, has done a great job of surpassing Light Yagami as the main protagonist of the show.
Mikey – Side Character From Tokyo Revengers:
“Even if you’re weak, you can still make a difference if you’re willing to fight for it.”
Mikey is the one and only reason the show became super popular around the globe, and no one disagrees with that. The show’s main protagonist, Takemichi, is pretty weak at the start, but he grows. However, his popularity is somewhat in question because no one can surpass Mikey’s popularity and aura in the show, not even Mikey himself. He has such a unique appeal. It was the first time fans felt that yakuza could be so cool and appreciated. Not all gangster group leaders are bad; some can be as cool as Mikey. I could prepare a listicle on why Mikey is a better character than the main protagonist, Takemichi, but I think we’ll save that for another day!
Rengoku – Side Character From Demon Slayer:
“Both growing old… and passing away… these are things that make being human beautiful. Those may seem like weaknesses to you… But our lives are all the more precious and honorable because of them.”
Rengoku is a side character who makes everyone cry at the end of his life. The way he presided over every moment around himself was epic, and there is no one like him in the entire anime universe.
When the movie “Demon Slayer: Mugen Train” was introduced, fans were really excited because it was the first movie of the franchise. Everyone was expecting a lot from its MC, Tanjiro Kamado, but the movie took a different route by showcasing Rengoku’s fighting spirit, and fans were amazed. In fact, I got so emotional and felt proud at the same time because he is a legend who deserves the number one spot.
Gojo Satoru – Side Character From Jujutsu Kaisen:
“Throughout Heaven and Earth, I alone am honored.”
Gojo is a character who doesn’t need any introduction; he controls the entire fandom of Jujutsu Kaisen. Recently, in the manga, there’s news circulating among fans about Gojo’s death, and it has disheartened so many fans. Even fans are criticizing Gege Akutami for killing him so soon. I mean, do you think Gojo’s death is worth it? Of course not. He has so much more to give us, but sadly, it now depends on whether the creator of Jujutsu Kaisen will bring him back.
People often take Satoru’s character as just a bunch of jokes as he lives like a free spirit, but there’s a lot more to him than that for sure. He is one the most powerful sorcerers shown in the series, which gives him a lot of attention in the world of jujutsu.
Nevertheless, Satoru as a character is unique and special because he is the only person in hundreds of years to have amazing powers like the Six Eyes and Limitless techniques, and some say that his birth itself has changed the entire universe of Jujustu Kaisen. And yes, if you think Gojo Satoru is the main protagonist of the show, then sadly, he is not, because he has stolen the show from Itadori, who is the MC of the show.
Levi Ackerman – Side Character From Attack on Titan:
“The difference between your decision and ours is experience. But you don’t have to rely on that.”
Here comes the ultimate Captain and one of the best side characters, Levi Ackerman from Attack on Titan. Even though the main protagonist seems to be the fandom’s favorite, at the start, he is overshadowed by Levi. From start to finish, Attack on Titan left a lasting mark in the hearts of the fans, and every character did so well that no one could be ignored. But there’s a special spark in the eyes of anime fans, even though he’s as popular as Eren, he has a personality that attracts an army of fans behind him.
Killua Zoldyck – Side Character From Hunter x Hunter:
“There’s Nothing I Want To Do. You Have Your Thing, I Don’t Have Anything.”
Killua Zoldyck is one of the characters who has surpassed the supremacy of Gon, the show’s main lead, and I bet no one disagrees with it. Yes, Gon is an awesome main protagonist, but Killua is on a whole other level. Even though he admires his best friend, Gon, a lot, there’s something more to his character, from a mysterious murderous side to someone who can go to any extent while remaining humble and following his heart. He has been one of the best side characters in the eyes of fans of Hunter x Hunter.
Zoro Side – Character From One Piece:
“There Is Someone I Must Meet Again. And Until That Day…Not Even Death Himself Can Take My Life Away.”
Even though all the characters in One Piece are one of a kind, the weight Zoro carries can no longer be compared to others. Luffy, our rubber hero and one of the most popular MCs of all time, sometimes seems to be overshadowed by Zoro’s sword-fighting skills, and of course, his personality is worth the hype. I don’t need to describe his superiority over Luffy; they are equal, and if one is absent, the other won’t survive in the show.
Itachi – Side Character From Naruto:
“You Just Don’t Have Enough… No, You Lack It Completely… The Greed, For Human Life.”
Itachi is one of the most popular and important characters in Naruto. Without mentioning him, our list can never be complete.
He is one of the only antagonists who receives more praise than the main character himself. Even though his actions and story were portrayed as evil, he became a hero in the hearts of many fans because most people could feel his pain as if it were their own. Fans started to relate to him, and thus, he turned out to be a popular and amazing character who surpassed the aura of Naruto himself in the arc.
Ryuga – Side Character From Beyblade:
“I alone managed to beat back the dark power and succeeded in drawing out L-Drago’s ultimate ability and I harnessed a true power that I gained by putting my very life on the line to be the best I could be in my battles.”
Ryuga, the King of the Beyblade universe, is here to show off his skills. Do you remember this charismatic side character? If so, then you must know how his character and aura controlled the entire Beyblade world. Once again, he’s an antagonist who created a special place in the hearts of fans with his Beyblade, L-Drago. Fans were crazy to see him battle because you would never see someone like him in any show. He was defeated by the main protagonist, Ginga, in the show, but later on, he turns out to be more powerful than him.
Kai Toshiki – Side Character From Cardfight! Vanguard:
“Flame of apocalypse that burns away everything in this world! Ride the Vanguard! Dragonic Overlord!”
Kai Toshiki, one of the characters from Vanguard, showed himself to be super powerful and a badass in the show. He later turned out to be a side character who surpassed the aura of the MC, Aichi Sendou. He is almost unbeatable in his game and has what it takes to be at the top of his game. He is the first side character in our list who got a whole season as the main lead. Yes, you heard that right! I know that most people are still unaware of this epic anime, and if you’re one of those who missed out, just watch it once, and you’ll automatically become a fan of Kai.
Wrapping Up:
Covering all the characters in a single article is nearly impossible because the anime universe is diverse. There are side characters who have genuinely exceeded our expectations, gaining more love and fame from fans. Nevertheless, I’ve done my best to include nearly every character I could think of who deserves a place on this list. I’m not ranking them; I’m leaving that decision to you. Please share your favorites with us. As always, thanks for reading. Stay Gritty, Gamers!
