It's not uncommon for us to grow more attached to supporting characters in anime than to the main characters. Sometimes because they're more complex, other times because they have more tragic backstories, or simply because they shine in every scene they appear in. These ten characters not only steal the show, but they deserved their own series.
10. Nobara Kugisaki from the anime Jujutsu Kaisen
Nobara is a great character. Her charisma, her brutal power, her style, and her philosophy of life should have put her at the forefront of
Jujutsu Kaisen. Every scene of hers screams prominence. Her chemistry with
Yuji and
Megumi was incredible, and her tragic fate (so far) hurt us more because we knew she could have been so much more.
9. Rock Lee from the Naruto series
Rock Lee was one of those characters who made us cry and scream with emotion in his first major arc. His story of pure effort, without shortcuts, is more inspiring than that of many protagonists. The problem is that
Naruto left him behind, when in reality, he was the true symbol of what it means to never give up.
8. Fern de Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
Although
Frieren is the anime's official protagonist,
Fern is the heart of the story. She's the emotional voice, the human counterpoint to Frieren's eternity. Her maturity, her contained sadness, and her quiet evolution deserve much more attention. If they ever make a parallel story with her at the center, we wouldn't complain.
7. Bruno Bucciarati from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind
Golden Wind feels more like Bruno's story than
Giorno's. His leadership, his tragic fate, and the way he inspires others make him the de facto protagonist. Had the story been told from his full perspective, JoJo would have had much more emotional impact.
6. Ochaco Uraraka from the anime My Hero Academia
Ochaco began the anime as a promising character: determined, empathetic, with a clear goal. But throughout the series, her development was put on hold. Every time she's given an important scene, she proves she can carry the weight of a deeper story. Her relationship with
Deku and her own internal struggle are narrative gold.
5. Power from the anime Chainsaw Man
Chaotic, unpredictable, and with a heart bigger than she lets on,
Power became an instant fan favorite. Her story with
Meowy and her evolution alongside
Denji were some of the manga's most touching moments. If
Chainsaw Man had a spin-off show where we saw
Power at her best, we'd be binge-watching it by now.
4. Uryu Ishida from Bleach
Uryu is one of those characters that anime never knew how to fully utilize. His aesthetic, his history with the
Quincy, and his complicated relationship with
Ichigo could have provided an entire arc centered around him. Instead, he was always left half-finished. A real shame, because the potential was there.
3. Kikoru Shinomiya from Kaiju No. 8
From the very beginning,
Kikoru proves she has everything it takes to lead the story: talent, emotional strength, conflicts with her father, and enormous pressure to be "the best." And yet, she handles it all like a queen. While
Kafka is likable,
Kikoru is simply magnetic. She alone could carry the entire anime plot.
2. Maki Oze from Fire Force
Maki is not only one of the few women in the
Fire Force anime to have an active role in combat, but she also has a beautiful internal development: a soldier, a fire mage, sensitive but lethal. In a story dominated by the figure of
Shinra,
Maki shines without needing to be constantly in the spotlight.
1. Erza Scarlet from Fairy Tail
Erza is basically what a shonen protagonist should be: strong, traumatized, loyal, and with a sense of justice that commands respect. Each arc she plays elevates the series, and her personal story carries more emotional weight than that of many other main characters. Imagine a spin-off just about her facing her inner demons. We'd already be watching it.
And you? What other character did you feel was too awesome to be in the background? Sometimes, supporting characters steal the audience's hearts, and for good reason.
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