Why Supporting Anime Characters Outshine Protagonists?

It’s quite common for secondary characters in anime and manga to become more popular than the protagonists themselves. This can happen for several reasons, such as charisma, the depth of their personalities, or even their unique and engaging traits.

A recent example is the character Anna Aveiro Nakamura dos Santos Moreira Cuccitini, who stole the spotlight in the original P.A. Works anime, Na Nare Hana Nare, overshadowing the protagonist with her immense charisma.

However, there are many classic examples of secondary characters who have won over the hearts of fans, surpassing the main characters. Below, we highlight some of the names that have stood out in discussions among Japanese fans:

• Satoru Gojo from Jujutsu Kaisen
• Levi Ackerman from Shingeki no Kyojin
• Katsuki Bakugou from Boku no Hero Academia
• Masaru Gojo from Inazuma Eleven
• Killua Zoldyck from Hunter x Hunter
• Nanachi from Made in Abyss
• Kana Arima from Oshi no Ko
• Zenitsu Agatsuma from Kimetsu no Yaiba
• Aura from Sousou no Frieren

Secondary Characters More Popular than the Protagonists in Their Anime

Fans often note that these secondary characters have traits that make them shine, often outshining the protagonists themselves. Their charisma and well-developed story arcs are just some of the reasons behind their success.

Let’s check out some fan statements:

• “Before watching Made in Abyss, I thought Nanachi was the protagonist.”
• “This type of character is more about sparking conversations than actual popularity. It appeals to those who want to criticize the main character, so despite their flaws… In the Jujutsu Kaisen manga, Itadori and Fushiguro still maintain a steady popularity.”
• “For sure… My favorite characters are on this list (Killua, Zenitsu, Kana-chan).”
• “Isn’t Captain Levi the protagonist?????”

• “Wakka doesn’t really fit into this category, does he? Haha.”
• “I like Katsuki too, but when I look at the number of votes in the official polls, I’m shocked by the gap between the first and second place… Is the difference that big!? I’m surprised every time… I still don’t understand why he’s so popular.”
• “Deku and Tanjiro are the protagonists, but they’re so weak that they don’t have the kind of charm that would make someone admire them.”
• “Why is Bakugou so popular? I only see him as a problematic guy.”
• “Is there any anime where the protagonist is undeniably the most popular character?”
• “Aura’s popularity is completely due to the anime. Before the adaptation, she was less popular than Frieren.” You can check out Frieren’s popularity ranking here.
• “Of these characters, only 3 or 4 are genuinely popular; the rest just have high visibility.”

You can check out Frieren’s popularity ranking here.

Now, the million-dollar question: is there any anime or manga where the protagonist is definitely the most popular character? We’ll leave the answer to you!

via Você Sabia Anime