Best side anime characters… sometimes the main character isn’t always the fans’ first choice. Some of the side anime characters outdo the main character in certain or multiple categories and win the fans’ favor, be it that their character build is more complex or they are just more likable. Here are 15 of the best side anime characters that are more famous than the main character of their respective series.
15. Rengoku Kyojuro (Demon Slayer: Mugen Train)
Rengoku Kyojuro might’ve only been around for a short time in Demon Slayer: Mugen Train, but he made a huge impact. The Flame Hashira is all about passion, strength, and unshakable will, which makes him impossible not to love. He’s got that over-the-top, larger-than-life energy, but there’s also a deep, sincere side to him that shows in his dedication to protecting others.
His death was gut-wrenching, but it cemented his place as one of the most memorable characters in the series. Rengoku’s not just about power — he’s what gives Mugen Train its soul.
14. Gilgamesh (the Fate series)
The self-proclaimed “King of Heroes” has an ego as big as his legendary vault of treasures. In the Fate series, he’s not your typical villain; he’s got charisma, style, and a twisted sense of superiority that makes him both infuriating and mesmerizing.
With his god-like powers and endless pride, he’s the kind of character who just oozes confidence. Whether you love or hate him, you can’t help but respect how unforgettable Gilgamesh is.
13. Killua Zoldyck (HxH)
Killua Zoldyck may have started as a seemingly cold, assassin-turned-friend, but he quickly became one of the most beloved characters in Hunter x Hunter. He’s got all the skills — super fast, incredibly strong, and highly intelligent — making him far more popular than the series’s MC, Gon Freecss. This is reflected not only on MAL (#6) but also in nearly every popularity ranking poll.
His bond with Gon is a huge part of the story, but Killua’s struggles with his family, his own fears, and finding out who he really is make him more than just a sidekick. With his humor, smarts, and occasional vulnerable moments, Killua’s way more than just Gon’s buddy — he’s a main character in his own right.
12. Roy Mustang (FMA)
Roy Mustang is the definition of cool under pressure. A flame alchemist with sharp eyes, sharper wit, Roy always has a plan simmering beneath the surface. In Fullmetal Alchemist, Edward may be the main character, but Mustang commands the screen with every snap of his fingers.
His iconic fire-based attacks are rivaled only by his rich character development, which shines brightest in moments of loss, vengeance, and sacrifice.
11. Levi Ackerman (AoT)
“Humanity’s strongest soldier” basically became the face of the franchise for many. Levi is certainly the coolest human in the entire series. People watched just for his fights and his no-nonsense attitude. His fanbase? Huge! Ranked #3 on MAL, he surpassed not only the protagonist but also fan favorites like Killua Zoldyck, L Lawliet, and Roronoa Zoro.
Despite a limited backstory at first, his presence was magnetic—every scene with the shortie carried weight, precision, and quiet intensity. From his iconic spinning slash to his ruthless efficiency against Titans and humans alike, he became the benchmark for badassery in anime.
10. Esdeath (Akame ga Kill)
Though technically a villain and side character, Esdeath often felt like the true center of attention whenever she appeared.
- Charisma? Off the charts.
- Power? Broken.
- Romantic obsession with the MC? Wildly unhinged but oddly captivating.
- Presence? Every time she showed up, you knew things were about to get serious.
She’s not just memorable — Esdeath became one of the most iconic female antagonists in anime. A lot of fans admit they were more emotionally invested in her than even Tatsumi or Akame.
9. Gojou Satoru (JJK)
“The strongest sorcerer alive” — Gojo Satoru doesn’t just enter a scene, he owns it. From the second he appears in Jujutsu Kaisen, his blindfolded swagger, absurd power level, and chaotic energy make him impossible to ignore. Fans were instantly drawn to his mix of goofy teacher vibes and terrifying combat dominance.
His fights are cinematic, his attitude unbothered, and his presence is electrifying. He’s the kind of character who turns a great series into a phenomenon. Even with Yuji as the MC, Gojo often feels like the heartbeat of the show — cool, mysterious, and infinitely meme-worthy. A true fan-favorite.
8. Dazai Osamu (Bungou Stray Dogs)
Many times, I even forget that Atsushi is the main character — the supporting characters in this anime are just so much more interesting! My personal favorite is Dazai, so I went with him.
He loves cracking jokes, but his humor is actually hiding something much darker. He used to be in the Port Mafia, and his past is filled with things that still haunt him. He hides all that pain behind his carefree attitude, but you can tell it’s always there.
His intelligence and unpredictable nature make him exciting to watch, but it’s his emotional struggle that really makes him interesting. Dazai isn’t just comic relief — his character is deep, and once you see that, you can’t help but find him fascinating.
7. Accelerator (A Certain Magical Index)
The MC of A Certain Magical Index may be Touma, but Accelerator’s character arc is way more complex and fun to watch.
Accelerator is the kind of character you love to hate at first. He’s known as the strongest esper in Academy City, with crazy powers that let him manipulate vectors, meaning he can control everything from force to speed.
At the start, he’s a real jerk, acting all cold and ruthless. But as the series goes on, you start to see a more human side to him. He’s not just a villain, and you can tell he’s dealing with some serious inner struggles. In fact, his transformation is one of the best parts of the Toaru series.
6. Yuno Gasai (The Future Diary)
When someone mentions Future Diary, the average fan doesn’t immediately think of Yukiteru Amano, the main character, but rather the female lead of the story — Yuno Gasai.
Yuno was elected to be the series’ most famous character by the show’s loyal fanbase. At some point, even people who have never heard of The Future Diary knew of the yandere Yuno meme. I think we all can agree that Yuno is the best Yandere, respectively.
5. Shoto Todoroki (My Hero Academia)
Yes, Deku is cute and a good character, but fans have shown more support and love to one of the side anime characters, Todoroki.
Shoto originally had a cold, aloof personality stemming from his abusive upbringing and complicated family life. He reminds me of Zuko in Avatar: The Last Airbender so much. We need this precious cinnamon roll to keep gaining friends and learning to connect.
4. L Lawliet (Death Note)
The showdown between L and Kira, namely Light Yagami, was a masterpiece. An intellectual exchange between two young men left the fans completely dazzled. Fans were left glued to their screen and noses buried in the manga to see the battle of the minds between the two.
Despite being the second protagonist, his fame isn’t less than that of the main protagonist, Light Yagami. In fact, likely, L had already exceeded Light Yagami in the fans’ hearts. If you look at cosplays, L is certainly portrayed more. And fandom sites have more theories and headcanons for L than for other characters.
| Also Read: |
|---|
| Life Lessons From Assassination Classroom We Can’t Forget |
| Top 7 Best AMVs that describe Anime |
| Yuno Gasai x Yukiteru Amano love story? |
3. Karma Akabane (Assassination Classroom)
Fans seemed to love Karma and gush over him more than the other characters, including the main character, Nagisa. He appears lazy and a troublemaker at first, but soon you see that he’s actually kind and hardworking.
2. Sebastian Michaelis (Black Butler)
Black Butler follows Ciel Phantomhive, but the real star of the show is Sebastian, his butler. To be fair, they’re kind of co-stars, but Ciel is definitely the protagonist, while Sebastian mostly just does his bidding. But Sebastian is one hell of a butler—so of course, fans are going to love him!
1. Megumin (KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World!)
I would be surprised if you didn’t at least recognize this character, Megumin, from Konosuba. Otherwise known as God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World. She is an icon in her red outfit and a waifu of many. The actual main character isn’t mentioned or seems to be beloved by fans as much. But Megumin, despite her flaws, is.
What do you think? Do you like these side anime characters more than the main ones? Who else should be on this list? Let us know in the comments below!
As always,
Keep Smiling!
