10 Supporting Anime Characters Who Deserve To Be The Real Stars Of Their Series

Anime is full of central heroes that capture the audience's attention, often standing out as the ideal candidate to carry the show. However, some series feature supporting characters who become as compelling as, if not more so than, the protagonist. These characters are often uplifted by arcs that grant immense depth and narrative importance, making their roles begin to feel increasingly indispensable. In some cases, these secondary characters eventually eclipse the hero, drawing in greater attention and generating more engagement than the hero. In other cases, the supporting cast member becomes just as valuable to the story, making it seem as though they were always supposed to take the spotlight. When that happens, it becomes almost impossible for the series and fans alike to imagine the story without them. Guren Ichinose (Seraph of the End) Guren Ichinose is a major character in Seraph of the End, but he’s not the main protagonist. Instead, he serves as a lieutenant colonel in the Japanese Imperial Demon Army and commands the Moon Demon Company. While the series follows Yuichiro Hyakuya, a 16-year-old boy determined to wipe out vampires and protect those closest to him, Guren’s introduction and appearances throughout the series easily stole the spotlight. Guren stands out most for his duality. He presents himself as a composed, occasionally sarcastic commander, and yet he harbors immense guilt over the consequences of his choices. While he is willing to manipulate his allies and walk down morally questionable paths, he truly wants nothing more than to see humanity thrive, making him an immensely compelling character with flaws that add to his appeal. When Ling Yao is first introduced in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, he makes it clear early on that he’s in search of the Philosopher’s Stone in order to secure his claim to the throne in the eastern nation of Xing. Greed, on the other hand, is a homunculus created by Father and is reborn when a Philosopher’s Stone is embedded in Ling’s body, creating the dual consciousness that Edward once referred to as Greedling. The two initially clashed, but over time developed respect for one another and grew as individuals. This happens because Ling’s ambition gives Greed a new understanding of what he truly values, while Greed’s experiences force Ling to reconsider what makes someone a worthy ruler. This journey quickly became one of the most memorable aspects of the series, with their characters quickly growing in popularity and easily stealing the show whenever they appeared. Mikey (Tokyo Revengers) Manjiro Sano, better known as Mikey, is the leader of the Tokyo Manji Gang and one of the most influential characters in Tokyo Revengers. Despite his seemingly carefree personality, Mikey stands out for his exceptional fighting ability, authority, and confidence. However, he struggles with a destructive darkness that gradually becomes more and more important to the story. While Takemichi Hanagaki is the series' central protagonist, the story’s biggest arcs almost completely revolve around Mikey’s relationships and struggles. Takemichi may stand out for his heart and bravery, but Mikey easily steals attention with his charisma and powerful presence. Without Mikey, Tokyo Revengers wouldn’t have a story to tell. Katsuki Bakugo (My Hero Academia) Katsuki Bakugo is the series protagonist, Izuku Midoriya’s longtime rival, and one of U.A. High’s most naturally gifted students. His Explosion Quirk, battle instincts, and drive to become the top hero make him a standout character. That said, when he was first introduced, it was far less than admirable, but that’s precisely what made his character arc so powerful. His battles and struggles are undeniably part of what made My Hero Academia so great. His evolution throughout My Hero Academia is one of the story’s greatest strengths as his rivalry with Deku grows into one of mutual respect. The series may revolve around Deku, but Bakugo adds tension and friction to the story, with his resolved character arc standing out as a major highlight. His battles and struggles are undeniably part of what made My Hero Academia so great. Osamu Dazai (Bungo Stray Dogs) Osamu Dazai is a member of the Armed Detective Agency (ADA) in Bungo Stray Dogs and a former Port Mafia executive. With his supernatural ability, Dazai can nullify any other power through physical contact, making him a remarkably unique special ability user. On the surface, he appears eccentric and careless, yet undeniably strategic and intelligent. His past is one of the series’ greatest mysteries, and he captures audience attention right off the bat. Dazai is always multiple steps ahead, and his nihilism and dark past only make audiences want to learn more. It’s not hard to see why he became a fan-favorite character, and it’s practically inarguable that he’s more compelling than the actual protagonist. Levi Ackerman (Attack on Titan) Levi Ackerman is a captain in the Scout Regiment and known as humanity’s strongest soldier in Attack on Titan. He was raised in the Underground before joining the Scouts, quickly proving himself with his masterful maneuvering with ODM gear and becoming an indispensable asset. Every battle Levi has against the Titans seems nearly effortless, with spot-on precision. Beyond combat, he stands out for the weight and burdens he carries, adding dimension to his character and making him extremely compelling. While he may be blunt and stoic on the outside, it doesn’t take long for viewers to recognize there is far more to him beneath the surface. Since his introduction, Levi has been a fan favorite character, and he easily dominates every scene he takes part in. Satoru Gojo (Jujutsu Kaisen) Satoru Gojo is a Special Grade Sorcerer and a teacher at Tokyo Jujutsu High. His extraordinary abilities, the Limitless technique and Six Eyes, make him the strongest in Jujutsu Kaisen, with his birth alone fundamentally altering jujutsu society. Despite being the strongest and virtually untouchable, Gojo is heavily burdened by the weight of expectation and isolation. While he seems playful and carefree on the surface, he has a complex and tragic history, particularly with Suguru Geto. While Yuji is the series' central protagonist, Gojo’s backstory, strength, and personality make him a fan favorite who easily steals the spotlight. Paired with his immense power, Gojo had to be sealed away during the Shibuya Incident in order to allow the series to move forward without him, proving his massive influence on the story. Itachi Uchiha (Naruto) Itachi Uchiha stands as the prodigy of the Uchiha Clan in Naruto. His exceptional talent led him to the ANBU at a young age, and not long after, he had little other choice than to massacre his clan to prevent a civil war. He becomes a villain to protect the village, joining the Akatsuki to act as a secret double agent. Itachi is one of the most devastating characters in Naruto as well as one of the most popular. He easily captures attention every time he’s on screen, and fans can’t help but find themselves captivated by his character. His complexity and willingness to sacrifice himself for nothing in return make him one of the franchise's most unforgettable and standout characters. Askeladd (Vinland Saga) Askeladd is the leader of a Viking mercenary band and arguably the most important character in Vinland Saga’s first arc. He’s responsible for the death of Thorfinn’s father, Thors, and is known as a cunning strategist who secretly hates the Viking lifestyle and Danish rule. His true motivation is the safety of Wales, leading to him working with Prince Canute to secure his country from Danish invasion. Askeladd drives the majority of every conflict and becomes a complex figure in Thorfinn’s life. His duality of leading Vikings while secretly hating their culture adds to his depth, turning him into a character that audiences can’t help but want to understand. His choices at the end of the series cement his legacy as one of the series’ best and most compelling characters. Vegeta (Dragon Ball Z) Vegeta is the proud Saiyan Prince and one of Dragon Ball’s most important characters. While he starts out as a villain, he gradually evolves into one of Earth’s mightiest heroes and an undeniable fan-favorite. As Goku’s rival, Vegeta matches him in terms of power and stands as his complete opposite, creating a thrilling dynamic throughout the series. Vegeta’s character arc is easily the best in the franchise, with his redemption during the Buu Saga standing as one of the series’ highlights. Despite being introduced as a ruthless warrior, he grows to become a friend, husband, and father, which gives him reasons to see value beyond his pride. While Vegeta may not be the central hero of Dragon Ball, he remains one of the best characters, and the franchise simply wouldn’t be the same without him.