Many people have grown tired of the same old story format where the main protagonist always grabs all the attention, and the side characters are just there to support the MC. Even shows like One Piece have amazing side characters like Zoro, Sanji, and Nami, but let’s be real, Luffy still takes center stage every time something big happens.
But once in a while, we can also see the tides changing, and the side characters from some popular series get the spotlight they deserve.
And not just getting what they deserve, there are even a few anime where the supporting characters are literally stealing the show from its actual protagonist! Here’s a list of 3 such side characters from 3 different anime who became insanely popular, shaking the character popularity charts on different anime websites.
1. L from Death Note
L from Death Note is one of the OG characters where even as a supporting cast he has equal to more popularity than the main guy, Light. As a world-renowned private detective, L has everything one needs to be a fan-favorite character: mystery, skills, quirk, and a sense of justice.
So for obvious reasons, L’s popularity is basically on par with Light, the main protagonist! Some might even say he could surpass Light if that one incident did not happen (no spoilers). L just has the aura of being an MC, he’s the perfect example of a supporting character who’s anything but secondary.
L has ranked 4th on the list of all-time most popular characters on MyAnimeList.
2. Levi Ackerman from Attack on Titan
Attack on Titan does have its fair share of awesome, well-written characters, but Levi is definitely in his own league, with a crazy level of popularity! And why would he not be? He is humanity’s strongest soldier and has charismatic looks on top of his nonchalant personality; everything about him is so perfect.
As a captain of the Survey Corps, he’s super strict and disciplined, expecting nothing but the best from his team. And yet, despite his tough exterior, Levi also has a wholesome side as many people might already know he’s a total hygiene freak! He wants everything clean, be that it’s his room or his homeland.
Levi Ackerman has ranked 2nd on the list of all-time most popular characters on MyAnimeList.
3. Satoru Gojo from Jujutsu Kaisen
Even though he may not have as many followers as others on this list (considering the fact that Jujutsu Kaisen is a relatively new show), Satoru Gojo, however, has set the bar ridiculously high. This guy ended up becoming so popular that poor Yuji, the actual main character, often gets forgotten in the shadows!
Still, it’s actually quite easy to see how he became this popular. He is literally an all-rounder, with a charming and funny personality, gorgeous eyes, a slick figure, and some serious powers to back everything up. Though his character has a lot of gag moments, there’s actually a ton of depth to him if one dives into it.
Satoru Gojo has ranked 2nd on the list of all-time most popular characters on MyAnimeList.
The list can go on forever, with characters like Kakashi from Naruto, Reigen from Mob Psycho 100, Rem from Re: Zero, Dazai from Bungo Stray Dogs, and others being arguably some of the best-written side characters ever. They have all played major roles in their respective series. However, these three characters simply define this trope, and there’s no denying it! Right?
Source: MyAnimeList
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