Top 10 Best Anime Side Characters

It's always the little things that count. The quiet comment in the middle of chaos. The sharp grin just before all hell breaks loose. The ones who step in, steal a scene, and vanish just as quickly. They're not the main heroes. They're not the face on the poster or the ones screaming their attack names every episode. But somehow, they end up living rent-free in your head anyway.

These are the side characters. The ones who show up, shake things up, and leave you wishing the story would follow them instead. The sniper with a tragic past. The genius who pretends not to care. The comic relief who turns out to have layers deeper than the Mariana Trench. They're the best friend, the rival, the wildcard, the wildcard's cat. And they often walk away with the best lines, the coolest moments, and the last laugh.

So what are the best anime side characters? That's where you come in. Scroll through the list, click on the names that deserve more love, and give your favorites the votes they need to climb the ranks.

The Top Ten

Karma Akabane (Assassination Classroom)

Karma Akabane is a central character in the anime and manga series Assassination Classroom. He is a student in Korosensei's Class 3-E at Kunugigaoka Junior High School, known for his intelligence, unpredictability, and combat skills. Previously suspended for violent behavior, he eventually becomes one... read more

I would've been fine with Nagisa or Karma as the main character. But if Karma was the main character, I think I'd love Assassination Classroom even more. We'd get to really see his sadistic nature, much like we see with Nagisa at some points. Also, he is one hot mess.

This knucklehead is from Assassination Classroom. He might seem like a no-good delinquent, but inside he's a sneaky, intelligent assassin in training. He also has some of the best grades in class despite being a troublemaker.

He has it all! His character in Assassination Classroom made me realize that Karma is the best name anyone could want to have.
Levi Ackerman (Attack on Titan)

Levi Ackerman is a fictional character in the manga and anime series Attack on Titan, also known by its Japanese title, Shingeki no Kyojin. He becomes closely involved with the main characters during the second half of the anime's first season. Levi is especially known among fans for his exceptional... read more

A very popular character in the Attack on Titan franchise. A man who's worth ten soldiers - Levi Ackerman. He might seem unemotional, but he is one soldier you don't mess with. That and he helped save the main character who knows how many times.

Hell yeah! I can understand why everyone loves Levi so much, and I love him too.

He even has his own OVA series dedicated to his past titled No Regrets.
Winry Rockbell (Fullmetal Alchemist)

Winry Rockbell is a main supporting character in the Fullmetal Alchemist series. She is a childhood friend of Edward and Alphonse Elric and has been close to them since their early years in Resembool. She is considered like a sister to the brothers and is one of their few remaining family connections.... read more

Winry Rockbell is my favorite character from the Fullmetal Alchemist series. I love this woman. She's funny, quirky, smart, and just a likable character. Plus, she doesn't end up like one of those childhood friends who don't get the love they always wished for. She actually ends up with Ed.
Bulma (Dragon Ball)

Bulma is a fictional character in Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball manga series. She is the most prominent and enduring female character in the franchise, appearing from its earliest chapters through its various sequels. Bulma is known for her intelligence, inventions, and her role in assisting the series... read more

Bulma from the Dragon Ball series. Honestly, this woman deserves more respect. She made the proud and stubborn Saiyan prince Vegeta listen to her. He has come to respect her highly, and she should be. She's a sassy woman who doesn't mind slapping anyone if she's upset. She is a genius who can drive or create anything she sets her mind to. She knows what to do and how to get it done. That's why I personally feel she should be one of the best anime side characters.
Itachi Uchiha (Naruto)

Itachi Uchiha is a fictional character from the manga and anime series Naruto, which was created by Masashi Kishimoto. He is a member of the Uchiha clan and plays a key role in the series' storyline. Itachi is widely recognized for his complex character and significant influence on the plot.

One of the only other characters in Naruto I like. It was so sad once you hear why he did the things he did and the burden he put on himself. It was a genuine surprise to me, and I ended up loving this character.

You could do an entire anime series called Itachi, and I would definitely watch that.
Roy Mustang (Fullmetal Alchemist)

Roy Mustang is a fictional character in the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series and its anime adaptations, created by Hiromu Arakawa. He is a State Alchemist with the title of Flame Alchemist due to his ability to create fire using alchemy. Mustang is a high-ranking military officer and plays a key role... read more

I haven't watched Fullmetal Alchemist yet, but just from a few clips, I can already tell Colonel Roy Mustang deserves respect. Skilled in flame alchemy, charismatic, an effective leader in command, devoted, and a bit of a womanizer, which provides some good comic relief, Roy Mustang is an unforgettable supporting character in the FMA franchise. Just watching the fight between him and Envy earned my admiration for him.
Portgas D. Ace (One Piece)

Portgas D. Ace, born as Gol D. Ace and nicknamed "Fire Fist" Ace, is a fictional character in the One Piece franchise. He was created by Japanese manga artist Eiichiro Oda. Ace is the adopted older brother of the series' protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy, and possesses the ability to control fire using the... read more
Franken Stein (Soul Eater)

Dr. Franken Stein (Japanese: フランケン・シュタイン, Furanken Shutain) is a secondary character in the anime and manga series Soul Eater. He is an eccentric but talented doctor and meister, known for being the strongest meister to have ever graduated from Death Weapon Meister Academy. He was also the first weapon... read more

He's an insane doctor who dissects everything, even himself. He's also one of the strongest meisters in this show. With his witty banter to back him up, Stein helped bring the 'soul' to the anime Soul Eater.
Minene Uryu (Future Diary)

Ninth/Minene Uryuu from Future Diary. A devious yet sympathetic terrorist who has struggled all her life to survive. She's then forced into a life-or-death game and survives. Despite losing her eye and limb along the process, she still fights hard to win no matter what.
Riza Hawkeye (Fullmetal Alchemist)

Riza Hawkeye is a fictional character in the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series and its various adaptations, created by Hiromu Arakawa. She is known as a loyal and skilled sharpshooter who serves as the trusted adjutant to Colonel Roy Mustang. Her character is central to the series' themes of duty, loyalty... read more

The Newcomers

?
Viral (Gurren Lagann)
?
Uzu Sanageyama (Kill la Kill)

The Contenders

Gilgamesh (Fate/Stay Night)

Gilgamesh is a fictional character from the Japanese visual novel and anime franchise Fate, created by Type-Moon. He is an Archer-class Servant of Tokiomi Tohsaka and serves as an antagonist during the Fourth Holy Grail War in Fate/Zero.... read more

"All the evils in the world? Bring thrice as much if you want to stain me!" - Said by the most charismatic and egotistically badass Mesopotamian king, the King of Heroes himself.
Grell Sutcliff (Black Butler)

Grell Sutcliff (Japanese: グレル・サトクリフ, Gureru Satokurifu) is a major antagonist in the manga and anime series Black Butler. She is a part of the Retrieval Division of the Grim Reaper Dispatch.
Grell initially posed as Angelina Dalles's butler and conspired with her as Jack the Ripper. As a result... read more

Grell Sutcliff from the Black Butler series! He might be a Shinigami, but he's fabulous. Whether it's the hopeless chase for Sebastian, the over-the-top gestures, or the fantastic weapon he possesses, Grell knew how to make us all laugh.
Gajeel Redfox (Fairy Tail)

Gajeel Redfox is a fictional character from the anime Fairy Tail. He is an Iron Dragon Slayer who was originally introduced as an antagonist and enemy of Natsu Dragneel. Gajeel later joined the Fairy Tail guild and became an ally of the main characters.... read more
Killua Zoldyck (Hunter x Hunter)

I love Killua with my whole heart. He became the best friend for Gon, and I want a friendship like theirs. His character development was crazy.
Matt (Death Note)
Goten (Dragon Ball Z)

Goten is a fictional character from Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball manga and its anime adaptation Dragon Ball Z. He is the second son of Goku and Chi-Chi and the younger brother of Gohan. Goten is known for his early ability to transform into a Super Saiyan and for fusing with Trunks to form Gotenks.
Roronoa Zoro (One Piece)

Roronoa Zoro, nicknamed "Pirate Hunter" Zoro, is a fictional character in the One Piece franchise created by Eiichiro Oda. He is a master swordsman who uses a unique three-sword fighting style. Zoro is one of the main members of the Straw Hat Pirates and serves as one of the crew's primary combatants... read more
Ryoji "Ranka" Fujioka (Ouran High School Host Club)

Haruhi's father is one of my favorite characters. His personality can be fierce yet sympathetic. His life has always been devoted to his family, and he was a great addition to the anime.
Jellal Fernandes (Fairy Tail)

Jellal Fernandes is a childhood friend of Erza Scarlet. He became a Dark Mage determined to resurrect Zeref using the R-System and later lost his memory. He was the primary antagonist of the Tower of Heaven arc and later became a co-founder and member of the independent guild Crime Sorcière.
Pan (Dragon Ball Z)

Pan (パン, Pan) is a fictional character in the Dragon Ball manga series created by Akira Toriyama. She is the granddaughter of Goku, who is known as one of Earth's greatest protectors, and Mr. Satan, the reigning World Martial Arts Champion. Pan is the daughter of Gohan and Videl, making her three-quarters... read more
Zeref Dragneel (Fairy Tail)

Zeref Dragneel is a character from the anime and manga series Fairy Tail, created by Hiro Mashima. He first appears in chapter 200 of the manga and episode 96 of the anime. Zeref is known as the most powerful Dark Wizard in the series and is afflicted with the Curse of Contradiction... read more
Robert E. O. Speedwagon (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure)

Robert E. O. Speedwagon is an amazing supporting character. He's not some overpowered side character that all the girls love. Robert E. O. Speedwagon is a well-developed character and deserves to be number one on this list.

He literally creates a massive company to assist the Joestars. Why, you ask? Jonathan kicked his ass but spared him. He's clearly the gentleman we want but don't deserve.
Krillin (Dragon Ball Z)

Krillin (クリリン, Kuririn) is a supporting protagonist in the Dragon Ball manga and the anime series Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, and Dragon Ball Super. When he first met Goku, they had a brief rivalry while training under Master Roshi, but they quickly became lifelong best friends.... read more
Piccolo (Dragon Ball Z)

Piccolo is a fictional character in the Dragon Ball manga series created by Akira Toriyama. He first appeared in chapter 161 of the manga, published in Weekly Shōnen Jump on February 9, 1988.
He is a member of the Namekian race and has powers that include ki manipulation, regeneration, telepathy... read more
Yayoi Kunizuka (Psycho-Pass)

A cool, suited-up woman from Psycho-Pass. She's also a specialist at dealing with robots and helps direct drones for the team. She mostly hides her emotions but is shown to be very caring towards certain people.