Scriptwriting is a balancing act; every story aims to give each character their moment and purpose. However, sometimes the balance is lost. Some characters simply turn out better than others. Even as the less compelling characters fulfill their basic plot functions, one individual often emerges as the undeniable star. This can happen because the anime is intentionally centered around a single protagonist, or sometimes, a secondary character is so captivating that they steal the spotlight and audience`s attention from the leads through sheer charm or compelling writing. Let`s look back at some examples.
Zero Two (Darling in the Franxx)
Regardless of personal feelings, her colossal impact on the series is undeniable. Remove Zero Two, leaving protagonist Hiro alone or even with Ichigo, and the pair lacks the vibrancy Zero Two provides. While Evangelion (often compared to Franxx) has multiple characters with unique arcs (Shinji, his `harem,` Kaji with his melons), Franxx features mostly bland supporting characters. Each is given a superficial conflict, not to develop them as individuals, but to serve the plot and highlight the main duo, primarily Zero Two. She is built around conflict with the world, making her dramatic story effective. When every other character serves only to shine a spotlight on her, it`s no wonder she shines so brightly.
Destiny (Takt Op. Destiny)
Promotional anime often struggle with depth and completion due to their nature. Few writers can make them work, delivering something striking but brief that leaves viewers wanting more. Takt Op. Destiny had potential: a renowned studio, original world, and epic characters. However, the limited runtime negatively impacted much of it, *except* for the main heroine, Destiny, as the anime heavily focused on her storyline. Protagonist Takt, much like Hiro in Franxx, primarily serves as support for her. Though she`s his assistant in the narrative, his constant blunders inadvertently provide opportunities for Destiny to showcase her full potential. It worked well, if only for a short time.
Kiyotaka Ayanokoji (Classroom of the Elite)
Classroom of the Elite is another series dominated by a single character, though an unusual one. Ayanokoji prefers to stay hidden, pulling strings from the shadows, which strongly appeals to viewers weary of typical overpowered or flashy protagonists aiming to be the next Lelouch or Light Yagami. This leads to the anime`s central issue: the vast majority of supporting characters are simply passive followers, practically inviting manipulation. Ayanokoji rarely faces truly challenging opposition, leaving him without equals to share his dominance. He remains a masked outlier in a cast of sheep.
Glenn Radars (Akashic Records of Bastard Magic Instructor)
This young man feels like he stumbled into the wrong anime. Encountering such a relatively grounded and adequate protagonist is genuinely surprising in such a cliché and archetypal series. It feels as if he was written by a completely different person, so out of sync does he seem with the surrounding plot. It`s not just his individual uniqueness, but the environment he finds himself in. Akashic Records is a fantasy that looks like something from 2017 but could easily blend with today`s endless stream of generic isekai. The premise: a young teacher, Glenn, arrives at a magic school and meets his students, who seem to have just finished a course in template acting. The local cat-girl acts like a cat-girl, the shy girl is shy. Every supporting character is a walking cardboard cutout with a plot label. Only Glenn remains a multi-layered individual. He has weaknesses but compensates with resourcefulness, acts unexpectedly, and is balanced in every respect. He truly represents the type of fantasy protagonist we need to see more of, rather than overpowered isekai heroes.
Seiya Ryuuguuin (Cautious Hero: The Hero Is Overpowered but Overly Cautious)
Anime characters serve various purposes. Some just need to avoid being annoying while others do the heavy lifting, embodying the series` core concept, undergoing significant development, and carrying the entire narrative. While there are thousands of the former, the latter are rare, and Seiya Ryuuguuin belongs to this select group. He was given the challenging archetype of an overly cautious hero, which needed to be explored from many angles to avoid being bland. Too much slapstick, and it falls apart. Too much drama, and it becomes suffocating. Here, a balance was struck perfectly. The surrounding environment significantly contributes to this. The gods are cartoonish enough to generate amusing situations, while the villains are threatening enough to constantly require his fantasy-fueled cleverness in combat. Replace Seiya with all his quirks, endless sarcastic remarks, and inexhaustible paranoia, and the entire formula collapses. This is a masterclass in character utilization.
Askeladd (Vinland Saga)
Askeladd from Vinland Saga is not only a mercenary leader, superb fighter, and descendant of Artorius, but also a first-class thief. He so expertly stole the protagonist`s role from Thorfinn in the second half of the first season that by its end, you barely recall Thorfinn`s persistent shouts. Instead, your mind is occupied with the heavy, unenviable fate of the true `King of England.` The first season of Vinland Saga is an example of an incredible narrative formula where all events serve to reveal a single character who is formally participating but secretly hiding his true identity. No amount of yelling from Thorfinn, bipolarity from Canute, or warrior spirit from Thorkell could embody such an intricate narrative and plot function as Lucius Artorius Castus.
Kurisu Makise (Steins;Gate)
Steins;Gate is also unique in a way, featuring a cast of secondary characters so distinct and eccentric that they are hard to forget. The core concept of the show is embodied by the protagonist duo, Rintaro Okabe and Kurisu Makise. However, their relationship isn`t equal; Okabe`s entire motivation is directly driven by his interactions with Kurisu. She is, in principle, a very atypical character, as there aren`t many arrogant, genius young scientists in anime. Yet, Makise doesn`t fall into a single archetype – she can equally play the shy girl, act as a tsundere, and deliver a killer joke. This is why she consistently appears in lists of the best female characters of all time, and Steins;Gate is often remembered as “Oh, that anime where something happened to Kurisu…”
Echidna (Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World)
Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World is remarkable for how it seems to sideline characters who stand out from its typical fantasy setting. Initially, Rem, a humble maid, unexpectedly eclipsed the main heroine Emilia in the fandom, proving to be both an excellent support for protagonist Subaru and a dramatic, more fully realized character. The result was swift: the writers sidelined Rem, transferring her functions to others. Just when it seemed lost, Echidna appeared. This character is on a completely different level, injecting `grey morality` into Re:Zero`s fantastical and often colorful narrative space, elevating its potential philosophy. Thankfully (or perhaps not), three buckets of black and white paint quickly arrived, coloring everyone in the required simple shades and drowning Echidna in cardboard villainy. While many might remember her for certain `fanservice` elements, it`s hard to imagine where the second season would have been without her presence and initial impact.