Stole The Show
Animes, like all other forms of media, are full of main characters and supporting cast. But sometimes the supporting cast can steal the show, especially in anime, where so many of them have incredible backstories and cool powers. In fact, these 20 characters are arguably far better than their main characters themselves. Do you agree?
chripell from Blackrock, Emerald Isle on Wikimedia
1. Killua Zoldyck
Hunter X Hunter is arguably one of the most popular anime shows around, as it follows a boy named Gon as he follows in his father's footsteps. However, many fans find themselves preferring Killua, who has a colder side to him. With an interesting backstory of his own, Killua is all about rebellion and is quite a fierce opponent.
KillualyDarwin2023 on Wikimedia
2. Karma Akabane
Assassination Classroom is about a yellow octopus-like being that threatens to destroy the Earth in a year, unless a class of middle school students can stop him. Karma comes across as one of the laziest characters in the show, but there’s a lot under this first impression. He’s also a bit of a clown, known for playing pranks, and fans absolutely adore his charm.
3. Shoto Todoroki
My Hero Academia is an anime that follows hopeful students with powers, called quirks, and their pursuit of becoming full-fledged heroes. While the show follows Deku, Shoto stands out as a fan favorite. His ice and fire powers are impressively cool, and his rebellious nature and sympathetic backstory make him quite compelling.
4. Vegeta
Dragon Ball Z is an iconic anime series that follows Goku, a martial artist, as he fights alien invaders threatening Earth. Vegeta starts as an unbeatable villain but quickly becomes a compelling ally in his own right. People love his backstory and evolution into a hero and adore how he is also a caring husband and father in Dragon Ball Super.
5. Ezra Scarlet
Fairy Tail is a fantasy anime full of powerful characters harnessing all sorts of magic specialties. While the story mainly focuses on Lucy and Natsu, Ezra is a very compelling character in her own right. He has a strict personality and has a haunting backstory that leaves most fans rooting for her till the end.
Richie S from Brooklyn, NY, United States on Wikimedia
6. Kamina
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is an over-the-top mecha anime that follows humans living underground, unaware of the surface world. Kamina serves as a big brother figure and is loud and brave while the main character comes across as timid. Plus, the complex nature of Kamina’s character just makes him more interesting to unmask and understand.
7. Seto Kaiba
Yu-Gi-Oh is an anime most people have heard of; it follows Yugi Mutou as he solves puzzles and awakens a powerful spirit within him. Then, of course, there’s the whole magical card game aspect to it. Seto, on the other hand, is Yugi’s rival, and while he’s a bit hard to like and a jerk, people can’t help but fall in love with his outrageous antics.
8. Roy Mustang
Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood is considered one of the best anime around, as it follows two brothers who use alchemy to repair their bodies and unravel conspiracies in the fantasy world around them. However, Roy effectively steals the show as he is both a bit dorky and a capable warrior. Plus, he has some of the best moments in the show, contributing to his legend.
9. Yuno Gasai
Future Diaries is a psychological thriller that follows Yukiteru as he gets a future diary that predicts events before they happen. However, the show’s real intrigue lies in Yuno, who is the quintessential Yandere character that inspired many others. She has an unhealthy obsession with Yukiteru but also contributes by coming up with great survival strategies to protect the man she loves.
Peu Pundik from Rio De Janeiro, Brasil on Wikimedia
10. Gojo Satoru
Jujutsu Kaisen wowed a lot of the fans of the Shonen genre, especially with its interesting premise, deep mystical world lore, and standout characters. The fans immediately fell in love with Gojo. His down-to-earth behavior and comedic antics perfectly contrast the fact that he’s the most powerful sorcerer around.
11. Itachi Uchiha
Naruto is an anime that’s full of many powerful characters, but none quite outshine Itachi. One of the most beloved supporting characters in the show, he has a haunting responsibility and a dark backstory, but still uses this inner darkness to turn things around. Not to mention, his tragic passing cemented his character in the Naruto mythos.
Tehsigo Eternamente from USA on Wikimedia
12. Levi Ackerman
Attack on Titan is a compelling fantasy thriller where humans live in walled cities to defend themselves from the giant monsters outside. While the show focuses on Eren as he joins the army fighting against these titans, fans can’t help but have all eyes on Levi. Levi is the strongest soldier humanity has, and his capabilities, paired with his quiet demeanor, make him an undeniably cool character.
clogz from Espoo, Finland on Wikimedia
13. All Might
My Hero Academia is clearly full of compelling and interesting characters, so much so that All Might is another hero a lot of people love. He was the former symbol of peace and was once the number one hero in Japan. Viewers absolutely adored his heart of gold, stellar ideals, and see him as a superman for the academia world.
Michael Ocampo from United States on Wikimedia
14. Kakashi Hatake
Another character from Naruto that everyone also adores is Kakashi. In fact, starting off the series, Kakashi is clearly the coolest character in the show. He’s a super-skilled ninja with a cool attitude, and his tragic backstory only makes his character all the more compelling.
15. Osamu Dazai
Bungou Stray Dogs is a stylish anime that follows Atsushi, an orphan who ends up joining the Armed Detective Agency. Full of supernatural intrigue and mystery thrills, the show is great! But most fans find themselves more drawn to Dazai, who is playful, zany, and incredibly powerful with the ability to nullify the skills of others.
16. Darling in Franxx
Darling in Franxx is a dramatic sci-fi anime that follows characters through a post-apocalyptic future where people live in mobile fortress cities. While Zero Two is just a side character, she ends up outshining the protagonist. She has an interesting backstory due to her infamous reputation, and her ending was especially emotional.
17. Saber
The Fate Series follows powerful mages as they summon heroes of old to fight for the holy grail. While the hero technically focuses on the mages, their companion warriors clearly steal the show. Essentially the most loved character from the show, Saber is a reimagining of King Arthur, and she wields Excalibur against the foes of her mage.
18. Mikey
Tokyo Revengers is a time-traveling anime that follows Takemichi, who has a second chance to save his ex-girlfriend’s life. Mikey is the leader of the Tokyo Manji Gang, and it’s hard not to have all eyes on him during his fight scenes. Plus, he’s a bit carefree and friendly, which only contrasts with his incredible strength.
19. Makima
Chainsaw Man is a quirky and wild anime that follows a broke teenager who merges with a chainsaw devil. He is then recruited by the Public Safety Devil Hunters, where he’s tasked with fighting devils. All that craziness aside, most people find Makima, the leader of the organization, to be the coolest character around. She’s smart, manipulative, and is surprisingly brutal.
20. Mikasa Ackerman
Mikasa is also from Attack on Titan, and many fans quickly found themselves drawn to her from the first episode. She loves Eren and will do everything to protect him. But she’s also incredibly powerful and pushes Eren to become stronger and do good.
